Staff spotlight – Lachlan McIntyre

Introduction

We spoke to Lachlan McIntyre who has recently joined CPA Group as a site Paramedic

Lachlan is one of a large group of paramedics who have joined the team recently. He is new to the mining environment but brings great enthusiasm to his role and CPA Group have been receiving amazing positive feedback from our clients about Lachlan.

We spoke to him from his home in Springfield, just outside of Brisbane.

What is your professional background?

When I finished high school, I entered the fitness industry as a personal trainer while also playing American football locally. I was lucky enough to be offered an opportunity to try out as a walk on with the University of Hawaii, upon my return to Australia I got injured which prompted me to start my own fitness business. I began studying Paramedic Science through CQU in 2014. This was a distance study program combining on-line learning and face to face intensive blocks on campus in Rockhampton which included assessments.

I started the degree while running my business and then pursued a career in the logistics and transport industry with Star Track in 2015. I was working afternoon and night shifts to allow time for my studies during the middle of the day. I had the responsibility of running my business in the morning on top of looking after my son.

I was promoted to Supervisor at Star Track which allowed me to focus on both my studies and career in logistics while wrapping up my business. This increased focus allowed for me to complete my degree in December 2019.

The opportunity to join the CPA Group team as a paramedic emerged, an opportunity I could not pass on. Star Track were extremely accommodating and understanding, allowing me to pursue my goals in line with my chosen degree and field.

Where are you working now?

I am currently working with the team at Baralaba coal mine, 2 hours west of Rockhampton. I am working both day and night shifts on a 7 day on 7 day off rotation. The CPA Group crew and customer at Baralaba are very team focused and goal driven, a motivating environment to join!

What other CPA Group sites have you worked?

This is my first CPA Group site but during my studies I completed approximately 16 weeks on-road QAS placement time.

During my studies at CQU I was offered the opportunity to travel to Portland, Oregon to work with AMR – American Medical Response – The chief pre-hospital care provider in the region – for 3 weeks. During this time, I was also fortunate enough to complete the Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) 

qualification at Mount Hood, which is an amazing experience in an amazing location.

The scope of practice in Portland differed greatly to that of the equivalent ACPII paramedic in Queensland. Allowing practices such as RSI, obtaining IO access and surgical cricothyroidotomy.

During my studies at CQU I was afforded the opportunity to travel  to rural Nepal with the Wild Medic team. Our goal was to set up a makeshift NGO health clinic for the rural population within the region, a region where primary health care did not exist. This was an experience I will never forget. My CPA Group role allows me to continue the challenge of rural/remote environment health care provision, a role and responsibility I enjoy very much.

What are your primary responsibilities?

My primary responsibilities initially include pre-hospital interventions and providing care to anyone in need of immediate medical assistance. There is a lot of exposure to primary health care, which I find very interesting. It is a change of practice compared to that of the pre-hospital world. These experiences so far have differed greatly from many of my previous QAS placements which have all been primarily city based and near multiple health care facilities.

Mental health is also part of my scope, and I can respond with appropriate referrals.

 

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

I like to be proactive within the Health & Safety team – reaching out to our onsite leadership to offer my assistance in new initiatives and goals. I really do find it hard to sit still!

My primary goal is to ensure our client is happy with the service CPA group are providing.

The exciting thing about my role is the constant opportunity to do more – in the mining industry there is never nothing to be done!

The most challenging part of this role is being away from my wife and son which we try to mitigate through Skype calls, phone chats and photos of trucks which my son loves to see!

I approach my new role with a positive, proactive and optimistic mindset while working as hard as I can to help the team and client achieve our set goals.

And what do you do in your spare time?

I spend my spare time playing with my son, training, and mountain bike riding, cycling, hiking, riding motorcycles and spending time in the bush. I also enjoy revising my study material, you never stop learning!

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What would your manager say?

My supervisor on site is Ben Cavanagh. He has given me a lot of positive feedback and is highly dedicated to the role and customer here at Baralaba, a very motivating characteristic in a leader. My goal is to ensure the client sees our contributions and values the services CPA group  paramedics provide.

I have also received positive feedback from our client, this motivates me to contribute as much as I can to the site, team and role.

Manager comment

Lachlan was recommended to me from a fellow ERT member here at Baralaba Mine Site. From the first phone call I could hear Lachlan’s eagerness and enthusiasm. Over a month of back and forward calls, Lachlan finally got a start. Lachlan has completed one round of day shifts here on site and has been very proactive. As a graduate coming into the mining sector it would be daunting but Lachlan found his feet from day one and impressed the hierarchy onsite. Lachlan is keen to learn all systems and processes and for CPA H&M & Golding to take on Graduates is a credit to all.