News
17th March, 2023
Payment of TRP for MICA interns
The Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated (VAU) is currently investigating instances where MICA paramedics have not been paid the Temporary Reserve Paramedic (TRP) Allowance when working away from their home branch. This is occurring where MICA paramedics are completing the MICA Internship level 2 and possibly 3.
The Ambulance Victoria Enterprise Agreement 2020 (Agreement) makes no mention of MICA Intern or Internship. The internship is a new arrangement that Ambulance Victoria (AV) has introduced since the last Agreement came into being. Like all policies, procedures, and programs, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.
- 38.13 Flexible Shifts – Temporary Reserve Paramedic (TRP)
- (a) All ALS, BLS and MICA Paramedics in the Metropolitan Region (and by mutual agreement Graduate Paramedics under Indirect Supervision) may be required to work 8 weeks per annum as a Temporary Reserve Paramedic.
And;
- 38.12 Flexible Shifts – Compensation and Allowances
The Temporary Reserve Paramedic Allowance and Single Shift Relieving Paramedic Allowance are not payable where an employee is rostered to work outside their Home Branch in the following circumstances:
-
- (ii) as a Graduate Paramedic, Student MICA Paramedic, Ambulance Paramedic or MICA Paramedic rostered with a Paramedic Educator or Sessional Clinical Instructor for training purposes;
MICA members have been told that MICA Intern Level 2 or 3 is being paid as they are an Intern or Trainee. However, under the Agreement the following definitions apply:
- Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Paramedic Trainee is an ALS Paramedic that is undertaking a Graduate Diploma in Emergency Health (Intensive Care Paramedic) or equivalent qualification and/or undertaking a MICA Graduate Program.
- Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Paramedic is an Ambulance Paramedic that has successfully completed a Graduate Diploma in Emergency Health (Intensive Care Paramedic) or equivalent qualification. The principal duties include assessment, treatment, care and transport of emergency and/or non-emergency patients in a pre-hospital setting. MICA Paramedics practice advanced intensive care paramedic skills in accordance with AV approved Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Once a MICA Trainee has completed a Graduate Diploma in Emergency Health (Intensive Care Paramedic) or equivalent qualification and is working as a MICA paramedic, then their classification under the Agreement will change from MICA Paramedic Trainee to MICA Paramedic Year 1. They are then entitled to the TRP payment when working reserve as they are no longer a MICA Trainee or student and are not working with a Paramedic Educator or Clinical Instructor.
The VAU will be seeking back payment for MICA Paramedics who have worked reserve but not been paid the TRP payment.