Paramedics from the largest-ever cohort of new Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedics in Ambulance Victoria’s history have hit the road in Ravenhall.
The six-week program, held at AV’s Capability Hub in Sunshine, covers a range of clinical areas including respiratory, cardiac, trauma, medical, paediatric and obstetrics.
Twenty-nine advanced life support paramedics recently graduated from the MICA Bridging Program and commenced on-road training from Monday alongside fully qualified MICA paramedics.
AV operational capability director Trevor Weston said the new MICA interns were a significant boost for critical care across the state.
“Demand for our highly skilled MICA paramedics is increasing and it is important we continue to meet the needs of the growing Victorian community,” he said.
“We currently have 580 MICA paramedics, and by the end of 2024, we will increase our MICA workforce by about 14 per cent.
“We are confident this next generation of MICA paramedics will make an enormous contribution to our delivery of world-class care to patients across Victoria.”
MICA paramedics have a higher clinical skill set than ALS paramedics and can perform advanced medical procedures including advanced airway management, administer intra osseous (into bone) medication, and provide advanced management of cardiac conditions.
A further 50 ALS paramedics are planned to undertake the MICA Bridging Program throughout the year, with about 80 new MICA interns on road by the end of 2024.
