What it takes to become a GWAAC Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care
September 2, 2020GWAAC Thank-a-thon
October 13, 2020We’re excited to introduce to you our newest recruits – Trainee Specialist Paramedics in Critical Care (SPCC) – Fleur and Dan.
Both Fleur and Dan have vast experience and have gone through a rigorous selection day and interview process to join the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) Critical Care Team. Read more about what happens at the selection day and the recruitment process here.
For your chance to get to know them a little better and find out what it takes to become a SPCC read our Q&A with them both:
Trainee Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care – Dan Davis
What experience have you had previous to GWAAC?
‘’Prior to GWAAC I have been a Paramedic with London Ambulance Service for 15 years. I worked on Ambulances , solo response cars, before moving onto the Motorcycle Response Unit, where I ended up becoming one of the riding standards instructors for the unit. I started working for London’s Air Ambulance on their Physician Response Unit before joining the Trauma Team as a Flight Paramedic, and more recently have also been employed by Essex and Herts Air Ambulance as a Flight Paramedic. I was one of the first cohort of Advanced Paramedic Practitioners – Critical Care, in London and had been in the role for six years by the time I left to join GWAAC/SWAST (South Western Ambulance Service).’’
Why do you want to work for GWAAC?
‘’I’ve loved Bristol and the surrounding area for a long time, and have followed a number of the Paramedics and Doctors who work with GWAAC, so the opportunity to now be a part of this team is really exciting and humbling too. GWAAC will hopefully give me a new lease of life professionally and personally too.’’
What are you most looking forward to about the role?
‘’I’m most looking forward to being part of a team once again. Having spent much of my recent professional career working as a solo practitioner, the chance to work and learn with colleagues, particularly in Critical Care, has been something I’ve really missed. There are some incredibly experienced clinicians working for GWAAC and I’m really looking forward to sharing their knowledge and experience.’’
Can you give us a random fact about yourself?
‘’I managed to complete an Ironman Triathlon in 2018, whether I have another one in me, remains undecided!’’
Trainee Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care – Fleur Mosley
What experience have you had previous to GWAAC?
”My clinical life started in 2009 when I got a Paramedic training post with South East Coast Ambulance Service. I qualified a few years later and continued working across Surrey and Sussex. In 2015 I started working in a bustling South London Emergency Department (ED) as an Emergency Care Paramedic in the Resus Department, becoming team leader a couple of years later. With a keen interest in teaching, I used my lead role to develop and run multiple courses including TILS, Resus Skills and Maternal Arrest Management.”
Why do you want to work for GWAAC?
”My time on the road and in the ED presented opportunities and experiences I couldn’t have imagined when I first started my training. I have always felt challenged and privileged to be involved with patients requiring critical care. It has always been an aspiration of mine to work as part of a pre-hospital critical care team as I am passionate about high-quality care and resuscitation. GWAAC supports a wide range of medical and trauma patients with enhanced and critical care both in urban and more rural environments. GWAAC has endeared itself to me as everyone I have met has been kind, friendly, supportive and motivated to be the best they can be. How could I not want to work for them?”
What are you most looking forward to about the role?
”I cannot wait to get stuck into lots of training, as the SPCC role involves a wide range of skills. I am also really excited to work as part of a pre-hospital MultidisciplinaryTeam– I love people bringing different ideas and skills from a variety of personal and professional experiences. It is going to be a big challenge for sure, but I really can’t wait to get started.”
Can you give us a random fact about yourself?
”I love going exploring with my gorgeous dog, Boomer… he weighs more and swims faster than I do!!
I love an adventure and can’t wait to start exploring the beautiful South West and all it has to offer – recommendations would be super welcome and appreciated!”