ACCURATE PROBLEM SOLVER EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

writer PETER WHITE

photographer PAULA M c INNES

“Every day is different and that is something I love about my role as an emergency medical technician (EMT). You are faced with new challenges and you have to problem solve in real time and think quickly,” says JORDAN TAVARES.

The 21-year-old joined Hato Hone St John Ambulance Service in February this year after completing his Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Paramedicine.

Jordan is based in Whangārei and his work covers a wide area of Northland – from Dargaville to Kaitaia. While he is one of the first responders on the scene of emergencies and accidents, there is also huge variety in his role.

“There is so much to what we do. One shift may be really quiet with helping dementia patients or elderly people who have fallen to the ground and couldn’t get up for a few hours. Then the next shift could be just motor vehicle accidents, cardiac arrests or trauma accidents or a real mixture,” says Jordan.

“Ultimately, all the decisions you make should benefit the patient and you need to get it right the first time. It really keeps you on your toes.”

Jordan is from a family with several health-care workers but growing up, it was not his preferred career option. Right through his time at Whangārei Boys’ High School he wanted to join the Army but because he wears contact lenses, he was not able to join until after he had laser eye surgery, which was not available until he turned 21.

So, he went looking for something that involved problem solving and saw the degree for paramedicine.

“It just interested me straight away and I loved the course. I am really stoked I did it.”

Jordan completed his Bachelor of Health Science at Whitireia in Wellington. It is a three-year fulltime programme, run in conjunction with Wellington Free Ambulance.

“Whitireia are really good at placements and getting us on the road and hands-on experience, which is predominantly what you need in this job. You can only learn so much in the classroom.

“I also liked the in-class experience. All the lecturers are really helpful and gave up extra hours of their time for us.”

KEY FACTS

ULTIMATELY, ALL THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE SHOULD BENEFIT THE PATIENT AND YOU NEED TO get it right the first time . IT REALLY KEEPS YOU ON YOUR TOES.

JORDAN TAVARES

In Year 13 at Whangārei Boys’, Jordan took Psychology, Maths, English, Drama and PE. He would like to encourage school leavers to consider Hato Hone St John as a career option. There are many different roles apart from first responder ambulance service to consider.

“It is definitely a viable option for a career especially now as there is so much opportunity and openings

■ JORDAN TAVARES HAS A BACHELOR OF HEALTH SCIENCE MAJORING IN PARAMEDICINE FROM WHITIREIA IN WELLINGTON

■ HE WORKS AT HATO HONE ST JOHN AMBULANCE SERVICE AS AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

■ JORDAN STUDIED PSYCHOLOGY, MATHS, ENGLISH, DRAMA AND PE IN YEAR 13 for young people. The field of paramedicine is just expanding all the time. There are new roles and positions being created, so if you want to get into paramedicine, it is definitely a good time.”

Jordan says some of the most important traits to have in his role are punctuality, being good at problem solving, having a keen attitude to learn and, most importantly, having empathy for people.

For more information on career opportunities with Hato Hone St John, visit https://join.stjohn.org.nz/ ambulance-careers/home

For more information on studying paramedicine through Whitireia, visit www.whitireiaweltec.ac. nz/study-programmes/health/paramedicine/