Ms. Naomi Powell1, Ms. Rebecca Boughton1, Mr. Joel Moore1, Mr. David Cutler1, Ms. Julie Comito1
1St John WA, Belmont, Australia
Biography:
Metropolitan Ambulance Operations Manager Naomi Powell implemented FWA improvements in collaboration with Area Manager Rebecca Boughton (who is pregnant), fellow Operations Manager David Cutler, supported by Head of MAO Joel Moore and Strategic Support Officer Julie Comito. They are dedicated to supporting returning officers who also have external caring responsibilities.
Abstract:
Background: St John WA (SJWA) identified ambulance team members needed to be provided diverse options for inclusiveness when returning from extended leave or enabling a transition to retirement.
Frontline metropolitan officers were departing due to long shift hours and a lack of flexibility to meet their family and caring commitments. Departing clinicians would express an initial desire to return, however would lose the connection with the workforce, gain employment elsewhere, break their career path and lose their clinical confidence. Experienced paramedics aged over 55 also lacked a pathway to retirement which caused injury, disengagement and disconnection.
Actions: Previous part-time or job-share arrangements, extensive 13-hour rostered shifts failed. A Business Case for an 8-hour shift pattern, dedicated resources page and process review was approved and launched in June 2023. Employees are now engaged and supported to maintain their clinical competencies through Flexible Working Arrangements (FWA) that meet operational peak periods.
Results: Since the FWA launch there has been a 16 per cent increase in part-time officers and 8-hour shifts now account for 29 per cent of part-time rosters across the fortnight. A quarter of FWA agreements are with officers who identify as male with caring requirements of children school aged or younger and feedback has been phenomenal.
Conclusion: By being more inclusive and using alternate rostering options, SJWA stands out from other ambulance jurisdictions. SJWA benefits from increased resources during peak times and retaining valued and experienced paramedics for the benefit of patients, colleagues and students, now and into the future.