Ambulance paramedics or Ambulance officers provide emergency care and treatment to patients who are very sick or injured before they are taken to hospital.

Ambulance officers may perform the following tasks:

• attend accidents and emergency situations that require the performance of advanced life support skills
• attend public gatherings, such as large sporting events, where accidents or other emergencies may occur
• use sirens and warning lights
• drive an ambulance to the scene of an emergency, give emergency medical treatment if required and transport patients to hospital
• write reports on a patients' injuries and the type of treatment provided
• provide routine transport for patients from home to hospital and return
• ensure that ambulances are left clean, that medical supplies are well stocked and that all equipment is working properly.

Patient being transported via helicopter with aid of Paramedics

Ambulance officers work in shifts. They also work as a team. They work closely with members of other emergency services such as firefighters, police and health workers.

In a typical day or night's work, ambulance officers may be called to assist in a wide range of medical emergencies, including heart problems, breathing problems, comas,
poisoning, burns, electrocution, trauma etc.

In addition, Ambulance Officers provide non-emergency transport for other people, such as those needing stretcher transport; those requiring active care or monitoring during travel; and those whose medical condition makes them unsuitable for transport by any other means.

To become an ambulance officer, you can either undertake a specific diploma or degree program, or apply directly to an ambulance service in your state or territory and then undertake further training as required.