GWAAC Specialist Paramedic first in South West to be appointed in new advanced role - Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
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GWAAC Specialist Paramedic first in South West to be appointed in new advanced role

Vicki Brown, Advanced Practitioner in Critical Care

We are delighted to announce that our Specialist paramedic in Critical Care (SPCC), Vicki Brown, has been appointed as the first Advanced Practitioner in Critical Care (APCC) in the South West.

The new role, which was developed by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) will benefit GWAAC’s crew and the patients they treat, with Vicki providing leadership and education to ensure that GWAAC remains at the forefront of pre-hospital emergency medicine, continuously improving patient care.

Vicki, who won Paramedic of the Year at the Association of Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence last year, has been with GWAAC since 2012 as a Specialist Paramedic, and was the first SPCC to be eligible to apply for the new role.

Vicki said: “I have been keen to develop myself ever since joining the ambulance service, and so have been pushing boundaries to further paramedic practice. This new role is something I have been working towards for a while and we now have a position that recognises advanced practice within the service. It is great to be helping develop paramedic practice to provide career progression in the pre-hospital setting.”

Specialist Paramedic Vicki Brown, who won Paramedic of the Year

Vicki winning Paramedic of the Year

To apply for the role, Vicki had to have an extensive list of qualifications and experience, including a Diploma in Immediate Medical Care, a Masters in Advanced Practice and a completed Non-Medical Prescribing qualification, of which Vicki was one of the first to achieve last year, all before submitting an extensive portfolio, completing a clinical examination, assessment day and a final interview.

Christian Wiggin, Specialist Lead for Enhanced and Critical Care at SWASFT, and former GWAAC SPCC, said: “On her final assessment Vicki’s performance was described as a ‘Demonstration of Mastery’ by the examining faculty which comprised of Consultant clinicians in Pre-Hospital Care, Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care. Great Western Air Ambulance Charity and SWASFT should be proud to have Vicki in place as the first fully qualified APCC in the South West.”

Vicki passed her assessments in February and was successfully appointed as an Advanced Practitioner in Critical Care at GWAAC in May. She will work closely with GWAAC’s Lead Doctor, and will be responsible for clinical governance, education, training and research, as well as mentoring new trainees.

John Wood, Air Operations Officer and Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care at GWAAC said: “We are delighted to appoint Vicki as our first Advanced Practitioner in Critical Care to the team. Vicki is to be congratulated on her achievement and we look forward to continuing to ensure GWAAC remain as leaders in the development of paramedic practice and delivery of high end critical care.”