ST John Ambulance WA has appointed a new community paramedic to cover six sub centres from Donnybrook to Waroona.
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Community paramedic Ken Hart started in the role this month and will play a big role in improving and maintaining the provision of ambulance services while supporting local volunteers.
St John Ambulance Country Operations general manager Julian Smith said Mr Hart brought a vast clinical background and experience to the region and would be a great support for volunteers.
"The underlying role of the community paramedic is to provide support and mentoring for local sub centres," Mr Smith said.
Mr Smith said increased funding from the state government in 2010 enabled St John to extend the community paramedic role to other areas in regional WA and deliver several initiatives aimed at improving the country ambulance service. Mr Hart said it was the first time a paramedic had been available to service the area.
He was previously the station manager at Australind for three years, and has worked in areas including Kalgoorlie, Pinjarra, Collie and Perth.
He said his biggest role would be in training in each of the areas he supports, allowing the volunteers more time at call outs.
"However if I'm in the area and they require advanced paramedic skills, I turn up," he said.
The position was funded by the state government's Royalties for Regions program.
There are currently 22 Community Paramedics working in WA.
