‘Canada was calling:’ Australian paramedic recruits start work in Saskatoon

It was the first day on the job Thursday for seven paramedics from Australia who were recruited for Medavie Health Services West (MHS).

Luke Wangmann, one of the new recruits, said “Canada was calling” when his family moved to Saskatoon for the opportunity.

“Being here has been incredible so far,” said Wangmann, who noted he’s most excited to integrate into the community and provide help to those who need it.

He said he felt confident and supported on his first day on the job.

Many parts of Canada’s culture differ from those back home, Wangmann explained, adding it’s the first time he has experienced snow.

“I’ll take the snow over the heat any day,” he said.

One of the biggest changes for him was learning how to drive on the right side of the road.

“Canadian drivers are so far much more patient,” he said with a laugh.

He added he’s also getting used to Canada’s tipping culture.

“That’s new for us,” Wangmann said. “We don’t have a tipping culture in Australia. I was trying to work my head around the percentages.”

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Alex Wickham, another recruit, said it’s an exciting opportunity to come to Canada.

“I jumped at the opportunity to get over here and get some experience as a paramedic internationally,” Wickham said.

He said in Australia, it can be difficult to find a job as a paramedic and, with so many graduates, securing a position can be quite competitive.

He also said he’s getting used to Saskatoon’s cold and the winter.

“I’ve seen snow before,” Wickham said. “I’ve never lived in it.”

With his role as a paramedic in Saskatoon, he’s passionate about providing people with the health care they need.

“Often you’ll go to someone on their worst day and try to make it better for them,” Wickham said.

According to Medavie, this is the first time in 48 years of EMS operations in Saskatoon that international recruits are beginning their EMS careers in the city.

Carla Roy, the manager of professional development and quality assurance for MHS, said that last September, the organization was able to recruit a number of paramedics and this is just the first group.

“It’s been an exciting opportunity we’ve had,” she said.

Roy said the organization learned that in Australia, the need for paramedics is opposite from the high demand that Saskatchewan is facing.

“(Australia has) an abundance of paramedics and not enough work,” she said, adding more paramedics showed interest in moving to Canada than anticipated.

“Similar (to) how we all want to go to Australia, Australians want to come to Canada … Maybe not in February, but somehow we convinced these seven to come at the worst possible time, “ she said with a laugh.

MHS also provided incentives such as training programs for paramedics looking to make the move.

The Saskatchewan College of Paramedics also went to Australia for on-site international assessments and licensing requirements.

Roy said the new paramedics train for a month in the classroom, and then work alongside other paramedics in the ambulance for on-the-job training. She adds the new additions to the organization will have a great impact on the staffing shortages they’re facing.

MHS is still actively recruiting in Australia and Roy predicts that 10 to 15 more paramedics will come to Saskatchewan over the next few months.