‘I’m a lecturer for the University of Tasmania’s (UTAS) Bachelor of Paramedic Practice (two year fast track degree) delivered at the Rozelle Campus in Sydney. I was with Ambulance for 13 years and worked my way up to an intensive care paramedic. I spent my final three years as an intensive care clinical educator at the Ambulance Education Centre. Prior to Ambulance, I was a Registered Nurse at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

I work with three amazing women – Dr Paula McMullen (Senior Lecturer and Coordinator Sydney Paramedic Practice Program), Suzie Davies (Senior Lecturer) and Janelle White (Lecturer). We all have different experience in university, research, operational duties and management. One of the things I really enjoy about this role is the diversity of people and organisations I interact with every day. The students come from a wide variety of backgrounds; some are from high school, some from other tertiary institutions or the workforce. The majority are in their 20-30s and have had some life experience, which I think is really important.

A day in the life of…Pip Lyndon-JamesLecturer, Bachelor of Paramedic Practice School of Medicine – University of Tasmania

In addition to paramedic students I also work closely with Ambulance recruitment and corporate staff, as well as on-road paramedics who are also casual tutors for our degree. My day also sees me liaising with UTAS academics and administration support staff, guest lecturers, and UTAS uniform and equipment suppliers.

I enjoy being part of the development of our paramedic students as they strive to learn all they can during their university experience.

My role is critical in ensuring that UTAS develops and implements a contemporary curriculum that meets the needs of students entering the paramedic workforce. We strive to develop and maintain course content that’s current and focuses on ‘best practice’. This ensures that we meet our goal of producing top quality graduates who enter the paramedic industry ready to contribute to the job from day one.

Paula and I play an important role in the logistical planning component of practical block placement of UTAS Paramedic Practice students (14 weeks over 2 years). These placements are a crucial part of the student’s learning and provide invaluable practical experience that forms the core of their learning, enabling them to experience firsthand what ‘real life’ for a paramedic is going to be.

What I think is most important is to provide an engaging and positive learning experience for the students. So as a lecturer, you not only need tertiary qualifications in teaching and science, but it helps to have creativity, ingenuity and problem solving skills. Having on-road paramedic and Ambulance Education experience is very beneficial, as well as having strong time management and communication skills. It’s also vital to remember what it’s like to be a ‘learner’, and in particular, how challenging it can be when you are new to the paramedic industry.

One of the challenges in this job is the tight timeframes on marking and grades being released to students. Managing

100 students at a time and meeting their expectations, along with our own high standards we set ourselves, can also present interesting challenges. Personally, combining teaching duties with research, as well as my own professional development study activity and remaining current with all aspects of out-of-hospital care sometimes requires the skills of a juggler!

I enjoy being part of the development of our paramedic students as they strive to learn all they can during their university experience. Graduates leave us with a sound platform to engage in employment by Ambulance or other states. Part of this platform is constructing our experiential learning exercises and attending Ambulance exercises with our students, such as Xtreme 2. These opportunities are invaluable because they assist in the development of the attributes of a quality paramedic – confident, competent and compassionate. They also get to meet some of the Ambulance family and see these qualities in action.

How did I get to where I am now? I’ve always tried hard to engage myself with new learning projects that will benefit me

both professionally and personally. When I moved into the Ambulance Education Centre, I did my Graduate Diploma in Vocational Workplace Learning because I wanted to understand the foundations of education. I also wanted to make learning more fun and interactive.

In November I complete my Masters in Adult Education at the University of Technology Sydney. When I started this post-grad degree, I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to do the work required. What I’ve found is it’s all a learning journey and as long as you study for the right reasons, it all pays off. I certainly feel like I understand myself as a learner better now, which I think helps my students too.

My best advice is if someone offers you an opportunity to step up into a higher role, even though it might be challenging (and terrifying), grab it with both hands! The rewards will pay off. I always try to think where I want to be in five or 10 years and what I want personally to have achieved.’

Depending on where we are in the university semester, my day could include some or all of the following:

> research for lectures or practical session preparation

> delivering lectures and facilitating practical sessions

> assisting students with academic research and writing

> marking student assignments and exams

> designing, planning and implementing major trauma simulations at UTAS

> assisting students with their Student Paramedic Association (SPA) events

> moderation of the paramedic wiki space

> academic research for professional development

> promotion of the degree through careers and open days.