Hi, My name is Luke Vacca and I’m studying to be a paramedic at QUT.

I’ve just finished my first year and one of the highlights for me was my six week clinical placement where I was able to work full time with an ambulance crew seeing what the job’s really like.

It’s exciting, challenging and you have to think quickly on your feet which I really enjoy. QUT was the first university in QLD to offer the Paramedics Degree which resulted in strong ties with the QLD Ambulance Service.

I like the fact that the equipment we use is the same as they use on road. So it gives that real realistic feel to our course and when we go out on road we’re really well prepared. We’ve also got the new clinical learning simulation centre where paramedics and nurses go to practice scenarios and just get familiar with the gear we use.

I’m really looking forward to becoming a paramedic because I will have the skills and abilities to help people when they most need it.