After 27 years of saving lives, CareFlight has branched into education teaming up with James Cook University to develop a Post Graduate Certificate in Retrieval Medicine.
The highly specialised course is one of a kind and will allow Critical Care Doctors, paramedics and nurses to complete formal training in the challenging aeromedical environment.
Every year CareFlight Medical Services recruits and trains approximately 40 Doctors as part of its QLD Health contract, providing Doctors to Rescue Helicopters and Retrieval Jets right throughout the state.
This training has been successfully running for seven years and will form the foundation of the Post Graduate Certificate.
“By sharing our experience and knowledge with our colleagues we recognise the end result will be an improved level of retrieval service,” said CareFlight’s Chief Operating Medical Officer Dr Stuart Young.
The course will be made up of four units with the first unit completed as an intensive eight day training program held on the Gold Coast. The first intake made up of 24 Critical Care Doctors, paramedics and nurses started on Monday 14 July at CareFlight’s Coolangatta Hangar.
“The Doctors will leave the training week exhausted, it’s physically and mentally quite demanding which highlights just how challenging air-medical work really is compared to the sterile Hospital environment that they are all familiar with,” said CareFlight QLD’s State Training Director Dr Stefan Mazur.
During the initial week particpants must comlplete Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET), winch training and a number of staged rescue exercises.
The intensive training week will provide a solid basis, while the remainder of the course modules will be taught through focus groups and web based learning.
“CareFlight Medical Services is delighted to have formed a partnership with James Cook University, it’s been two years in the making and already the course is attracting Doctors from all over the world, said Dr Stefan Mazur.
ENDS
Media Contact Renee Buckingham 0421 381 023