Caring for people a passion
For Emily Holmes, working as a Northland Rescue Helicopter Critical Care Paramedic in is a world away from her upbringing in the outskirts of London.
But she couldn’t wish for a more perfect location for pursing her passion of caring for people.
“Seeing the relief on the patient and families faces when you arrive on scene to provide help and how much you can make a difference to these patients and families day with even just providing reassurance,” says Emily.
“Without the Northland Rescue Helicopters, local and remote communities would not be able to receive such timely and appropriate care and be transported to the larger hospitals that are so far away from them.
Emily says there is plenty to enjoy about her work, including working alongside a great team of Paramedics and Pilots – combining to provide an emergency service to different communities.
“Being able to reach isolated and rural communities quickly and provide them with medical services and transport them to an appropriate hospital is very satisfying. So is undertaking winch rescues in the outdoors and help people who are sick or injured in locations difficult to access.”
Emily’s journey to Paramedicine began when she was working as a pool lifeguard and had to deal with a lot of medical events.
After gaining her degree in England, Emily continued her learning in New Zealand by studying at AUT (PGD Critical Care Paramedicine) and University of Otago (PGC in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport for Paramedics).
Before joining Northern Rescue as a Critical Care Paramedic on Northland Rescue Helicopters, Emily began her career as a Paramedic working for South Central NHS Ambulance Service in UK on RRV and ambulances.
She then held roles as a CCP for St John Ambulance at Tauranga working on the Critical Care Response Vehicle and was a Paramedic at Ōtorohanga, Ngāruawāhia and Hamilton for St John Ambulance working single and double crewed on ambulance.
Emily’s focus at Northern Rescue is being a solid team member and keeping up her knowledge and skills to a high standard so she can provide her patients with exceptional care, while being a great crewmember for her colleagues.
“I am very new to this industry, but I really have felt welcomed into Northern Rescue’s team. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the local communities and hospitals.
As for advice to others contemplating a career as a Paramedic?
“The more years and experience you can get as a Paramedic on the road will greatly enhance your ability to perform working as a flight CCP. Enjoy your years on the road as a Paramedic, there is no rush to work on the helicopter but it’s a great goal to have in your career.”
