Overview

SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) employs a range of operational and non-operational staff to support patient safety and deliver emergency and non-emergency care across South Australia. 

These roles work together to ensure high-quality care and efficient service delivery across the organisation. 

Operational Roles

Operational roles are frontline or direct service delivery positions.

• Require shift work on rotating rosters that operate 24 hours a day
• Include a variety of shift configurations depending on the role
• Full details are provided in each individual role description

Types of Operational Roles

• Emergency Medical Dispatch Support Officers (EMDSO)
  • Answer Triple Zero (000) emergency calls
  • Manage non-emergency ambulance bookings
• MedSTAR Emergency Retrieval
  • A 24-hour service coordinating medical care, transport, and retrieval of patients 
• Paramedics and Intensive Care Paramedics
  • Deliver high-standard pre-hospital care to patients in the community
• Paramedic Internship
  • Supports recent university graduates transitioning into paramedic roles
• Patient Transfer Officers (PTO)
  • Provide non-emergency care and patient transport services
• Patient Transfer Officer Aboriginal Cadetship Program
  • Supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants through a structured cadetship pathway 

Non-Operational Roles

Non-operational roles support frontline services and organisational functions.

Examples include:

• Administration and customer service
• Finance and marketing
• Human resources
• Information technology (IT)
• Education and technical services

These roles work in partnership with operational teams to support patient outcomes. 

Aboriginal Employment

SAAS is committed to Reconciliation and improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Key initiatives include:

• Aboriginal Cadetship Program for Patient Transfer Officers
• Participation in the South Australian Government Aboriginal Employment Register
• Advertising major recruitment campaigns through the register
• Providing culturally appropriate recruitment and workplace support

Support Provided During Recruitment

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants may receive:

• Pre-interview contact and support from SAAS Aboriginal employees
• Mentoring support for recruitment preparation
• Workplace buddy support when starting
• Additional assistance to achieve training goals 

Training Requirements

Training and qualifications vary depending on the role.

• All operational roles require a qualification
• Some roles require qualifications prior to employment; others are completed after starting 

Examples

• Paramedics
  • Must hold a Degree in Paramedicine (or equivalent)
  • Must be registered with the Paramedicine Board of Australia before starting 
• EMDSO and PTO roles
  • Require Certificate III or IV training completed after employment begins 

Training Structure

• Training begins on commencement
• Includes structured learning followed by supervised on-the-job training
• Typically completed within 6–12 months
• Training is fully funded, with paid time provided to attend sessions

Job Vacancies and Applications

• All SA Ambulance Service vacancies are advertised on the South Australian Government job boards, including:
  • I WORK FOR SA: https://iworkfor.sa.gov.au/
• Some specialised roles may also be advertised on other employment platforms

Learn More

To explore opportunities or get further information:

• Review individual role descriptions and eligibility requirements
• Visit job listings on the official SA Government recruitment website
• Contact SA Ambulance Service for recruitment enquiries