In an earlier post I discussed the status of the NSW Ambulance Diploma as a qualification for registration as a paramedic, but it is not a qualification approved by the Paramedicine Board and the Board isn’t required to accept an equivalent qualification for registration – see NSW Ambulance Diploma – looking for equivalence (October 23, 2018).

Today’s correspondent has

… a diploma of paramedical science (prehospital care) … [from an RTO, not NSW Ambulance] however I was with NSW ambulance for nearly nine years in which time I served both as an Ambo and patient transport officer, I left prior to completing my diploma… I have been practicing as a paramedic since leaving ambulance within the private sector, with yearly recertification… Is it worthwhile attempting the registration process or do I forget about it?

The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law identifies three types of qualifications for paramedic registration.  They are:

  1. Approved qualifications, that is qualifications approved by the Board (s 53 and see https://www.ahpra.gov.au/education/approved-programs-of-study.aspx?ref=paramedicine);
  2. The accepted qualification for registration, that is the Diploma of Paramedical Science issued by the Ambulance Service of New South Wales (s 312 and NSW Ambulance Diploma – looking for equivalence (October 23, 2018); and
  3. “Qualifications for general registration in paramedicine for a limited period” (s 311).

Going forward the qualifications listed in (1) and (2) will be the minimum for registration.

But there are many current paramedics who are competent practitioners but who do not hold those qualifications.  For them there is a grandparenting period to allow them to register.  The window for that registration is 3 years from 1 December 2018. This is designed to allow people like my correspondent to register

The ‘Qualifications for general registration in paramedicine for a limited period’ are the qualifications for registration under the grandparenting provisions.  There are three paths to registration (s 311).  They are that the applicant:

(a) holds a qualification or has completed training in paramedicine, whether in a participating jurisdiction or elsewhere, that the Paramedicine Board considers is adequate for the purposes of practising the profession; or

(b) holds a qualification or has completed training in paramedicine, whether in a participating jurisdiction or elsewhere, and has completed any further study, training or supervised practice in the profession required by the Paramedicine Board for the purposes of this section; or

(c) has practised paramedicine during the 10 years before the participation day for a consecutive period of 5 years or for any periods which together amount to 5 years and satisfies the Paramedicine Board that he or she is competent to practise paramedicine.

The Paramedicine Board has issued:

Even without a qualification a person can be registered if they have sufficient experience.

It follows that I can’t tell my correspondent whether it is worthwhile attempting the registration process or they should forget about it.  As with any applicant they need to look at these lists and the evidence the Board is asking for, and determine for themselves whether they think they can prove they have the relevant skills and knowledge.

More details can be found on the website of the Paramedicine Board https://www.paramedicineboard.gov.au/Education/Qualifications.aspx#approved-qualifications.