This event focuses on career pathways for both paramedic students and paramedics interested in pursuing new opportunities. A diverse array of presenters will offer comprehensive insights into various career pathways.

Participants will have the chance to learn more about their options, ranging from state services to overseas and private sector opportunities, and more. This event aims to equip attendees with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate their career journey effectively.

Presenter Biographies

Dr Sandy MacQuarrie: Dr Sandy MacQuarrie is a career paramedic who took his initial training in 1992 in Canada. Since then, he has worked rural, remote and urban settings as a paramedic and has worked as a Critical Care Paramedic in fixed wing and helicopter environments. He is an award-winning paramedic educator with 20 years of teaching including 11 years at Australian universities. Today, Sandy is Principal at the Edge Human Performance Group offering learning and teaching support, tutoring for Paramedicine students, research support and EMS consulting.

Jono Cash: Jono is a paramedic with Hato Hone St John New Zealand. Recently he has been seconded to Ambulance Planning Manager – Commissioning where he is leading a project to redesign ambulance service delivery within Hato Hone St John. His substantive role sees him working as the Tertiary Relationship Manager for their service, working with tertiary education institutions across New Zealand and Australia. His role involves developing processes, pathways and advocating for Hato Hone St John as a prospective employer of graduate paramedics from across Australasia while ensuring the organisation is more student and graduate centric.

Josh Harmer: Josh is a current paramedic with diverse experience across both paramedic clinical roles and as Indigenous liaison and Aboriginal workforce engagement roles. After graduating, Josh began his career in the private sector before later taking on employment with NSW Ambulance Service and later Queensland Ambulance Service. He also sits on the External Advisory Committee for Western Sydney University for their Paramedic program.

Justin Hirello: Justin began his 10+ years career in emergency health services in Nova Scotia, Canada, starting as a Primary Care Paramedic. He furthered his education to become an Advanced Care Paramedic in 2021. His passion led him to recruit for Medavie Health Services (one of the largest Canadian paramedic employers) before he embarked on a new adventure in Australia with his spouse. There, he obtained AHPRA registration as a paramedic, integrating himself into the Australian healthcare system. Justin now works as a Regional Engagement Officer with the Australasian College of Paramedicine.

Michael Smith: Michael is a distinguished Paramedic and experienced company director with a career spanning over 25 years. He commenced his pre-hospital journey in 1999 with NSW Ambulance and was stationed in the central west region of NSW. In 2004 he successfully completed his Intensive Care qualification and continued to work in both metro and rural settings until he left NSW Ambulance after 20 years of service. Michael holds a Bachelor of Health Science through Victoria University and an Advanced Diploma in Paramedical Science. He is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Paramedicine. In 2010 he joined the board of directors of what was then known as ACAP NSW and went on to hold the executive position of Treasurer for many years. Michael was one of the founding directors of the current Australasian College of Paramedicine. One of his highlights throughout his time on the board was his work on the profession being included as a registered health profession with the national regulator, Ahpra. Michael is an owner and Executive Director with the Medical Rescue Group of companies which employees over 300 clinicians across Australia specialising in remote deployable health services along with International Air Ambulance retrievals. Michael is a professional member with the Paramedicine Council of NSW and a Senior Member of the NSW Civil and Administration Tribunal.

Tash Adams: Natasha Adams is a Senior Critical Care Paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service, working with the Brisbane High Acuity Response Unit. Her clinical interests include progressive trauma and medical care, clinical education and leadership development.

Jenni Pedler: Jenni has worked with NSW Ambulance since 1996. In that time she has fulfilled roles as paramedic educator, extended care paramedic, intensive care paramedic, Acute Stroke Advisor and Virtual Clinical Care Centre Senior Clinician. She has also been heavily involved with the training and empowering of staff regarding non-transport and referral decisions.