Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) recently presented newly graduated Mount Isa paramedic Ann Wilkinson with her Advanced Care Paramedic 2 epaulettes.
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Ms Wilkinson was part of the Indigenous Paramedic program and has been working towards this achievement for two and a half years.
Starting as a contract cleaner at Mount Isa Ambulance station in 2010, Ms Wilkinson said she never dreamed she would work in emergency services.
“I had looked at people in emergency service careers and thought that would be an amazing job, but did I ever think I was going to become one of those people? No. Definitely not,” Ms Wilkinson said.
“I suppose I didn’t feel like I had the self-confidence to pursue a career like that.”
“It wasn’t until getting to know the field a lot more where my mindset started to change, and I thought maybe this could be a good career choice,” she said.
Ms Wilkinson went from cleaning to fitting baby capsules for private cars and the station.
“I cleaned them and I provided operational capsules for the station, in the ambulances,” she said.
In 2012 she completed a Certificate 4 to become a first aid instructor.
She credits Officer In Charge, Matt Steer, for seeing something in her and encouraging her to further herself.
In 2014 Ms Wilkinson was studying full time in the Indigenous Paramedic Program, working as a paramedic.
In 2015 she qualified as a paramedic and got her silver epaulettes which classed her as a ‘charlie’ officer.
She then completed her diploma in paramedic science during 2016.
“In November 2016 I sat my first round and was unsuccessful, but I came back with a vengeance and in March of this year I sat my second round of final panel and was successful,” she said.
The examination involves theory and practical testing, including six practical stations to complete.
“If you make a critical mistake you fail a station.”
Ms Wilkinson said the last three years have been hard work, and a big change for her family.
“I basically went from being a full-time mother and partner to being a part-time mother and partner.”
“It was a massive culture shock for my family to do a big career change like that,”
“I had to pull myself away from the family to achieve the studies and extra training I had to put in to achieve what I have,” she said.
The mother of two said her favourite part of the job is helping her community.
Ann is a mentor for other cadets in the program and a role model for young people in the community.
