Staff spotlight – Ken Mulcair

Introduction

We caught up with Ken at his worksite where he works a 10/10 rotation. Previously this was a 7/7 roster, but it changed to 10/10 to as it was more cost effective for our client.

Ken is based in the northern suburbs of Brisbane and flies to Gladstone for work.

What is your professional background?

I am a paramedic. I am ex-Navy. Our client contact is a registered nurse and ex-Army so we have a great relationship and give each other hell!

Overall, I had 20 years in the services, starting with 4 years in the Army driving tanks and then transferring into the Navy, I was initially intended to become a stoker in the engine room but due to needs at the time, I was offered the opportunity to become a medic and here I am 37 years later not having looked back.

Where are you working now?

I am based at Curtis Island which is off the coast of Gladstone. Getting to work and back each involves a bus trip and a ferry trip. There is no better way to start the day than a ferry trip. On top of the 12 hour shift, it is a long day and we are not allowed under fatigue guidelines to drive to the ferry.

What other CPA Group sites have you worked?

This is my first and only site with CPAG, I am happy here and hope to stay. Good boss, good back to back and I think it is working well for the client.

What are your primary responsibilities?

Attending emergencies and all forms of pre-hospital care including Mental Health.

We have a client supplied ambulance, fully kitted out. It is about to have a power lift installed, which I am happy about.

We assist with Occupational health monitoring (dust etc), we conduct medicals including spirometry and audiometry. We can now test for COVID and influenza and soon we will have the opportunity to test electronically for fatigue.

What do you find most challenging or fulfilling in your role?

I can’t think of any bad things, I only have to be away for 10 days which is actually good for me after so long in the Navy. I get great support from CPA and the client and we are very much valued by the site team. We are often consulted even when site workers are off roster!

The equipment is all modern and fit-for-purpose, we get great training and we are included in everything that happens on site.

On the rare occasion I have had to get home, I have been able to which shows the compassion and support I receive from the company.

 

And what do you do in your spare time?

Until COVID hit I did some fill in shifts at Royal Brisbane in their emergency theatres, I am a qualified Anaesthetic Technician so I wanted to keep my skill levels up. I did some time as a heart valve retrievalist which was interesting and rewarding.

Fishing, catching crabs, relaxing, just being with the family. I have a wife and 3 adult daughters, and a grandson. Life is very good.

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What would your manager say?

My manager is Samantha Pearce, can I put **** in her words?!!!

Seriously, I pretty sure she trusts me and the client trusts her. I try to take on whatever I can do to help take pressure off her like day to day rostering, time sheets and relief planning.

 

Manager comment

I have been fortunate enough to have worked with Ken Mulcair for a little over 2 years now. From our first Manager-Medic interaction, Ken has been nothing short of exceptional in the way in which he communicates with both his colleagues and the Client. He is flexible, accommodating, helpful, innovative, pleasant… I could go on and on! But Ken’s greatest trait is his clinical knowledge and ability to apply this knowledge to his role. In recent months Ken has been recognised by our Client for displaying exceptional work in the field, he continuously exceeds expectations and does so at all times with a positive attitude. A great example of Ken’s reliability in recent weeks was when, in the absence of his site Supervisor, Ken was requested to sit in on the site IMT committee – Ken’s opinions are highly valued and his knowledge of the role is second to none, I don’t know what we would do without him!

Ken goes above and beyond to support me in my role, he continues to represent CPA Group core values to the highest possible level and, I am sure our Client would agree, is an absolute asset to the medical industry.