The Australasian College of Paramedicine

Host: Andy Bell
Guest: Nick Abussi

About this Episode:
Andy & Nick will be discussing all things post qualification learning. From the how and the why, to the way in which the delivery of this learning is changing, and what that means for current and future persons in the field of paramedicine. 

About Andy:

• He is currently a lecturer in Paramedicine at the University of Southern Queensland where he has been for the past three years. 
• Prior to USQ he was lecturing at ACU (Brisbane) for four years. 
• He has 14 years’ experience with QAS. 
• Prior to QAS he taught search and rescue in New Zealand  
• He is a confirmed PhD Candidate with a particular interest in the evolution of the professional paramedic education paradigm. 

About Nick:

• Paramedic with QAS for 10 years. Has worked in a number of areas including Bundaberg, Cunnamulla, Logan and Ipswich.  
• Worked as a critical care paramedic for 4 years on the Ipswich pod.  
• Founding member of the free radicals paramedic podcast. 
• Work part time within the private sector as an educator and clinician.  

Host: Sandy MacQuarrie
Guest: J.D. Heffern

About this episode:
In this episode Sandy and J.D. have a chat about J.D.’s incredible career, one that is unique and has him in a role that did not exist until now. They also discuss patient advocacy, the emerging role of paramedicine in austere settings and inclusive of First Nations/Indigenous persons, and how to chart a course for the future if you are new to the paramedicine field. This episode is filled with a wealth of experience, knowledge and insight!

About Sandy:
Sandy MacQuarrie is a Senior Lecturer at Griffith University School of Medicine, Paramedicine program. He has been a paramedic in Canada since 1993 and had the opportunity to work in a number of provinces in some very unique settings. He immigrated to Australia in 2013 to teach at Charles Sturt University and complete his PhD. His area of research is within the health and wellness of paramedics.

About JD:
Chief Paramedic, Senior Advisor, Indigenous Services Canada, First Nation and Inuit Health Branch, Government of Canada

J.D. Heffern is a Canadian Advanced Care Paramedic having served as a front-line paramedic and also within the developing community paramedicine scheme, previously working as an Advanced Care Community Paramedic imbedded within a community family health team partnering and developing with other primary care providers. 

For the last two years, J.D. worked as Paramedic Portfolio Manager for Indigenous Services Canada in a secondment role.  In November 2020 J.D. accepted a permanent full-time Chief of Paramedicine and Senior Advisor position within Indigenous Services Canada – First Nation and Inuit Health Branch. His role is to research, design, educate, create policy and programming as it pertains to paramedicine and the role of Community Paramedics working in northern Canadian indigenous communities. 

J.D. has maintained a role as a part-time Commander with the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service in Ontario, Canada where he supports the leadership team in delivering out-of-hospital care supporting service innovation and progression.  In his spare time, he is extremely passionate about global paramedicine knowledge transference.  He has extensively worked to develop Paramedicine initiatives in Germany, UK, Ireland, Iceland, and Turkey. J.D. has represented and presented internationally on a variety of current trends and topics and has a love for networking with likeminded individuals and organisations.

Connect with J.D. on Twitter: @jdheffern

Host: Venessa Carnaby
Guest: Jaquie Willis | To view guest bio CLICK HERE

About this episode:
In this month’s episode – we get real. As we move through our careers, we become more and more exposed to suicides, fatal car accidents, medical and age related deaths or deaths due to negligence or even assault. So, let’s talk about the reality of what happens when you’re dealing with a deceased patient and their family for the first time with the amazing Jacquie Willis.

Jacquie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on this topic and emphasises the importance of knowing how to cope with the patient’s family, friends and manage your own emotions. Especially as we progress through our careers, we can find ourselves in vulnerable situations that will really challenge us to be more human than ever.

Host: Jasmine Dietrich
Guest: Gavin Cousens | To view guest bio CLICK HERE

About this episode:
In this episode, we speak to Gavin Cousens about everything systematic approach. Gavin is a critical care paramedic with Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and university academic.

As the university semester begins, Gavin discusses the fundamentals of the systematic approach and how it should influence our practice. Tune in to hear about what the systematic approach entails and its practical significance; how to refine and perfect your approach; and what to do if (and when) you become stuck on a case. Whether you’re a first, second, third or fourth year student, Gavin's insight will help to improve your next OSCE and/or clinical placement.

Host: Levi Karschimkus, Ambulance Paramedic, Ambulance Victoria
Guest: Alecka Miles, Paramedic and Lecturer & Course Coordinator (Postgraduate Paramedic Practitioner, Community Paramedic and ECP Program) at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia

About the episode:
In this episode of The Debrief, we are joined by Alecka Miles who is a Lecturer and Course Coordinator at Edith Cowan University and also employed as a Paramedic at a GP Practice, to discuss alternative pathways for paramedics.

Alecka discusses where her career in paramedicine began and how she got to where she is now. Alecka also shares her experiences working outside of the traditional ambulance paramedic role and how she transitioned into education.

Host: Sherlyn Hii
Guest: Tammie Bullard | To view guest bio CLICK HERE.

About this episode:
It’s 2021! While much of the drama born in 2020 remains in situ, we nonetheless look optimistically to the year ahead. We chat with Tammie Bullard about how to make lemonade out of lemons in 2021. Here are 5 new year’s resolutions to help you find personal fulfilment, growth and success in your studies.

Tammie Bullard is a registered paramedic, clinical educator and author of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Paramedic book series. She has over a decade of field experience and holds a Master of Paramedical Science (Critical Care) from Edith Cowan University. More recently, Tammie has dedicated her practice to nurturing the next generation of paramedics through encouraging proactive conversations, habits and attitudes. She is a prolific writer and has spoken internationally on the unique challenges of the emergency prehospital environment.

Host: James Pearce, BHSc(Paramedic), BN, GCInfPrevCtrl, MAdvPrac, GCHigherEd, FACPara, Lecturer in Paramedic Science, College of Medicine & Public Health
Guest: Professor Alan Eade, Chief Paramedic Officer at Safer Care Victoria, Intensive Care (MICA) Paramedic with Ambulance Victoria and Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash university.

About this episode:
In this episode of The Debrief, we are joined by Professor Alan Eade to discuss all things leadership.

Alan discusses what type of leader he believes he is, the leaders in his life who impacted his leadership and whether his leadership style has changed during COVID. We also hear why Alan believes "being kind, will always pay you back"

Host: Jasmine Dietrich
Guest: Dr Sandy MacQuarrie | To view guest bio CLICK HERE

About this episode:
In this episode, we invite our guest speaker Dr Sandy MacQuarrie to discuss the physical, physiological, and mental dimensions of student health and performance. Sandy is a registered paramedic with 25 years of experience and has recently completed a PhD on paramedic wellbeing.

As we approach the end of semester, Sandy will discuss what do the first few years on-road look like? How do I recognise and prevent burnout? How do I keep a cool head for my OSCE? We’ll answer these questions and more in this month’s episode.

Host: Sherlyn Hii
Guest: Steve Whitfield | To view guest bio CLICK HERE

About this episode:
In our premiere episode we are talking our special guest speaker Steve Whitfield about the impacts of COVID19 on students. Steve is a QAS paramedic, writer and researcher.

We provide insight on the response from student paramedics during this time, with many assisting across various services. Given the sudden demand for skilled health professionals, we explore how recent events have shaped the perception of what students can do and what this means for students as future health professionals.