blog.gov.je
Charlotte Sutcliffe has been a paramedic for ten years having been inspired to join the ambulance service after witnessing emergency responders during the events of 9/11.
She joined the Yorkshire Ambulance Service in 2014 after completing the Paramedic Practice Degree and then worked on a double-crewed ambulance in Leeds city centre before joining the London Ambulance Service in 2018 where she worked solo on a rapid-response vehicle.
Charlotte moved to Jersey in 2019 in search of a slower-paced environment with the opportunity to further develop her clinical skills.
“Jersey offers complex clinical challenges and opportunities to advance as a senior clinician,” she said, before explaining that there is no typical day for a paramedic, with the ambulance service providing 24/7 cover, 365 days a year.
She described how they work long day and night shifts and how the role is to respond to emergency 999 calls, such as vehicular accidents, heart attacks, strokes and elderly falls.
“As a Paramedic I have the privilege of being first contact for a patient experiencing an emergency situation and therefore we set the standard for care and compassion,” she explained.
Charlotte said an early characteristic made her well-suited for the job. As a self-confessed “chatterbox” she is happy talking to anyone and everyone.
“Communication is a big part of my job. It enables me to demonstrate compassion, empathy and reassure patients and their families,” she explained.
Co-working with the other blue-light services and agencies within the health sector is essential. This involves liaising with General Practitioners regarding onward care for a patient, transporting patients to the Emergency Department and working alongside midwives with maternity patients. They also coordinate with firefighters in difficult and sometimes hazardous environments and collaborate with the Police and mental health professionals.
“Teamwork is a huge part of my job, particularly working as a double crew on an ambulance. Paramedics work in fast-paced environments under time pressure and it’s imperative that different tasks are implemented at the same time in order to achieve the required end goals,”
“Teamwork is a huge part of my job, particularly working as a double crew on an ambulance. Paramedics work in fast-paced environments under time pressure and it’s imperative that different tasks are implemented at the same time in order to achieve the required end goals,” she explained.
She added that there was a mutual understanding, respect and trust between colleagues. And there needed to be as some clinical situations require multiple ambulance staff to work together due to the amount of procedures, interventions and medication required. “With a cardiac arrest it is essential that at least three clinicians attend to the same patient to reduce time delays and allow clear leadership.”
As a self-described “free spirit” she is not suited to a conventional nine-to-five job. Charlotte enjoys the lifestyle offered by a rotational shift pattern: “It gives me the freedom to be outside when the good weather comes along and also allows me to sleep during the day if I want to.”
The job can be particularly intense and challenging when experiencing distressing and traumatic events. It is important to have a good work/life balance. She said: “I invest my feelings when dealing with patients and their families and sometimes it takes a lot of energy to de-stress at the end of a shift. At the end of a set of shifts, I like to clear my mind and on rest days I prioritise sleep, eating well, exercising and spending time with my family.”
Charlotte acknowledges the role played by her colleagues in remaining motivated. “Being a Paramedic means becoming part of another family and knowing that you have 20 best friends. I go to work every day to work with them and for them. The camaraderie and sense of belonging is unrivalled.”
Charlotte believes that her experiences in the role have made her more patient and tolerant. “As Paramedics we see the fragility and transiency of life and so I am grateful for every day, and I say ‘yes’ to most opportunities that come my way. This job is one of the most wonderful parts of my life and I hope to leave a legacy for my children and any other future paramedics inspired by our work.
“The job of a Paramedic is ‘all in’ and even though we make sacrifices in our daily lives there is no better way to live a rewarding and fulfilled life than to help people when they’re at their most vulnerable.”
https://careers.gov.je/content/JHA-Ambulance-service/?locale=en_GB