After working in business for more than 10 years, 33-year-old Eric Karanikolau made the switch to working as a paramedic. The new recruit is one of 59 graduates who started their career with Ambulance Victoria in July. He spoke with Georgia Tacey about his new role.
There’s a new paramedic in town, and he’s ready to keep Gisborne residents safe.
Eric Karanikolau is Gisborne’s newest recruit with Ambulance Victoria, and already he is settling into his new role.
From Essendon, Mr Karanikolau recently decided to make the big switch from his more than 10-year career in business into a life on the frontline, and is already reaping the rewards of this fast-passed career.
“It’s a lot the first month, but I feel like I’m really settling in,” he said.
“Especially after the third week, a lot of that administrative stuff you get under your belt, and you focus on just treating patients and giving the best care you can.”
Mr Karanikolau is one of 59 graduate ambulance paramedics who started their careers in July, ready to meet the winter demand, and one of three stationed in the Macedon Ranges.
Mr Karanikolau said he always knew he wanted to answer the call.
“There’ve been a couple of situations where something happened to someone and I was nearby and intrinsically, I wanted to help but I didn’t know,” he said.
“It sort of sparked that fire to want to know more and learn more, and be able to help and it led me down this path.”
This journey has been seven years in the making, studying and training, and so far, he’s loving getting into the community and helping others.
“I wanted to help people in a more holistic way and I was looking for a new challenge as well,” Mr Karanikolau said.
“I think the ever-changing environment of paramedicine and the ambiguity of not knowing what you’re going to get from a day-to-day, there’s some excitement in that and you’re always kept on your toes.
“I love thriving in that sort of environment where there’s a bit of pressure.”
The constant learning as well keeps him motivated, with no two days the same.
“You never know who you’re going to meet,” Mr Karanikolau said.
“Like you get a patient, and you chat with them in the back of the ambulance and you learn a lot about their life and they sort of feel comfortable enough to share things about their life with you.
“I really enjoy engaging with the community and I enjoy engaging with the patients.”
Outside of the job, the 33-year-old spends his free time getting out and about, fishing, hunting and training dogs, all while preparing to welcome a baby with his wife soon.
He recently finished his studies at Victoria University, and was thrilled to join his friends among the new recruits.
Graduates like Mr Karanikolau have been deployed to ambulance branches across Victoria to begin their 12-month placement, with three quarters of these taking up positions in regional Victoria, including Macedon Ranges towns like Gisborne, Woodend and Romsey.
“These new graduates will make a real difference – we’re proud to back them with the resources and training they need to succeed and deliver care to Victorians,” Macedon Mp Mary-Anne Thomas said.
“We’re backing our paramedics with more recruits and better training so they can do what they do best – save lives.”
During there 12-month placements, the new paramedics will work under the supervision of clinical instructors and alongside paramedics responding to real emergencies and developing their clinical skills.
The new recruits were welcomed by Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jordan Emery.
“Working as a paramedic is an extraordinarily unique experience. Very few jobs will have such a profound and deep impact on peoples’ lives,” Mr Emery said.
“Our paramedics, first responders, volunteers and support staff are our greatest strength. It is through them that we lead the way in patient care, including the nation’s best cardiac arrest survival rates.
“We now have more than 5500 on-road paramedics delivering the very best life-saving care, everywhere, and it’s great to see more joining our ranks.”
After completing their university degrees, the recruits start at Ambulance Victoria with a four-week induction and training program before they hit the road alongside experienced paramedics.
During this induction, recruits learn vital skills such as safely moving and loading patients to prevent injuries, aggression and assault prevention, and safely driving ambulance vehicles.
Mr Emery said the best and brightest were selected for the job.
“Ambulance Victoria has some of the most highly trained and skilled paramedics in the world,” he said.
“These graduates will continue training and development throughout their entire careers to ensure patients receive the very best, and most up-to-date life-saving care – and stay safe while they are doing so.
“I truly wish them all the best for long and rewarding careers at Ambulance Victoria.”
Mr Karanikolau said he loves working within the Gisborne community.
“The branch has been great and we have a really great team in Gisborne, they have a high calibre of knowledge and expertise in the emergency setting,” he said.
“The highlight for me has been speaking to everybody and gaining the insights and the detailed knowledge of the area and picking their brains from a clinical point of view because they have years and years cumulatively worth of experience.”
For anyone looking to go into paramedicine and become a paramedic, Mr Karanikolau stressed consistency is key.
“It can be a long journey and everybody’s different, but have the right reason why and have that goal in your mind and strive towards it,” he said.
“Yes, there will be roadblocks and hiccups along the way, but ultimately persistence beats resistance … It’s a great job.
“Everyone’s in it for the right reasons and there’s a lot of really good mentors in the role that emerge to help you on the journey.
“And as far as career progression-wise, it’s never too late to try anything.”
