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We are the only emergency ambulance service in greater Wellington and the Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free.
We are the only emergency ambulance service in greater Wellington and the Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free.
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Introducing New Graduate: Chanelle
Introducing New Graduate: Chanelle
14 December 2021
When Kāpiti Coast local Chanelle Lucas got the call offering her a role with Wellington Free Ambulance she was lost for words. Chanelle had known she wanted to be a paramedic since her primary school days and although she entertained other career ideas she always came back to paramedicine.
For Chanelle the study that led to her qualifying as a paramedic was tough – but equally a confidence builder. She knew that every assignment, placement or exam she completed took her one step closer to her dream.
“There were many long nights of studying, tears, stress, coffee and late night snacks – but the tutors and my classmates made it fun and there was lots of laughter amongst it all," Chanelle remembers.
Chanelle believes that good communication and being empathic are really important qualities for all people working in paramedicine as well as maintaining a sense of calm under pressure.
“Being a good listener is so important. A great amount of what we do is listening, not only about the health conditions of what is going on for them today, but a lot of social elements too and how we can help with all aspects of their life, not just physical," explains Chanelle.
There are many things that Chanelle is enjoying about her time in the graduate programme – in fact she is enjoying everything about her time in the role! She is aware that not everyone can go home at the end of the day and say they love their job – and she feels very fortunate to find herself learning from some of the best at Wellington Free Ambulance.
Chanelle is acutely aware of the privilege of walking into people's homes, explaining that seeing how patients live on a daily basis is what sets paramedics apart from other medical professionals as they truly see everything.
“I go home knowing we’ve made a difference to people’s lives which is an outstanding feeling. The diversity of the patients we meet, the places we go – we are not stuck in four walls and that is something I love about the job, you never know what you are walking into, but you do know you can help.”
Reflecting on all the moments over the past 10 months since joining the team Chanelle says a stand out came from the honesty and simplicity of an elderly gentleman sharing the secret to 60 years of marriage – he simply told her “well she loves me and I love her and that is what matters”.