THIRTEEN NEW AMBULANCE recruits have completed a six-week introduction course at Moray College UHI as the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) seeks to increase the number of drivers in the region.
An investment of £200,000 has been made in the new training initiative for the north east and northern isles aimed at upgrading resources and clinical skills.
The initial course just completed in Moray will eventually lead to the thirteen qualifying as Ambulance Technicians. Eight of those attending were new recruits to the service who will now move into full time posts that were previously part time in Moray and Aberdeenshire.
Milne Weir, General Manager of the North Division for the SAS, said: “This investment will benefit increase full time ambulance cover in the North East and the Northern Isles awhile at the same time enhancing clinical skills and giving more staff the opportunity to qualify as ambulance technicians.
“Training that was only previously available in Glasgow is now being delivered locally with a more flexible approach to delivery of modules that allows staff to progress to a higher standard of clinical skills in a simplified staged approach.”
On completion of the course this week delegates will undertake three weeks driver training and then put on placements with experienced paramedics in the field.
They will then have the opportunity to return to complete a further four-week course leading them to becoming fully qualified Ambulance Technicians.