Ellie Fitz-Gerald

Clinical Services Officer, St John NT

I started in ambulance when I was 24. I was studying a Bachelor of Science and decided that I would get more career satisfaction from a role that was patient-facing and applied for both nursing and paramedicine. I was surprised when I was accepted for both and opted for paramedicine.

To demonstrate industry engagement, I volunteered with Ambulance Tasmania and Palliative Care in Hobart. These opportunities gave me invaluable experiences and sowed the seed for my passion for pre-hospital care. The rewards of my efforts paid off, being appointed into a Paramedic Internship Program with Ambulance Tasmania in 2016.

My career has taken me on the adventure of a lifetime. One of the biggest blessings it has given me is the experience of being able to be truly present with people from all walks of life on some of their greatest and worst days. It has refined my perspective and instilled in me a grit and resilience that I never thought possible.

My paramedic career has involved many roles: Volunteer, patient transport, COVID testing clinics (in Melbourne at the height of the pandemic), and frontline paramedic with two state ambulance services. I’ve had the opportunity to work in both the metropolitan area and experience the challenges of remote area work.

Currently I work for St John NT as a Clinical Services Officer, and I feel so motivated coming to work every day. I enjoy the creativity and innovation of problem-solving that is required to deliver education effectively to staff, and strive towards research-led, gold-standard practice in our service.

I am completing my Graduate Diploma of Extended Care Paramedicine and endeavour to continue my career as a clinician.