Standard Operating Policy

AMBULANCE MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATION

POLICY
Document No.
File No.
Date issued
Contents
Author Branch
Branch Contact
Division

SOP2012-025
12/1228 (D12/16013)
14 November 2012
Policy Statement

Ambulance Management Qualification Policy

Workforce Unit, Learning and Development Section

Senior Learning and Development Facilitator
Corporate Services

Summary

Policy outlining, the Expression of Interest process, attendance requirements and

staff support for the Ambulance Management Qualification.

Applies to

All Ambulance Service of NSW staff

Review Date

1 August 2014

Previous Reference

SOP2009-054

Status
Approved by
Related Documents

Revision History
Version (Circular #)

Active
Chief Executive
NA

Amendment notes

14 November 2012
(SOP2012-025)

Endorsed by Chief Executive.

Amendments made to include EOI process, attendance requirements, and staff
support.
Supersedes SOP2009-054 and Administrative Standard D10/4737

10 September 2009

Endorsed by Chief Executive.

Ambulance Management Qualification Assessment Procedures written.

(SOP2009-054)

Compliance with this policy directive is mandatory

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Standard Operating Policy

Ambulance Management Qualification Policy

Introduction
NSW Ambulance (Ambulance) introduced the Ambulance Management Qualification (AMQ), which
incorporates a Certificate IV Frontline Management, to enhance the leadership capabilities and effectiveness
of managers at the frontline of Ambulances operations. This internal Ambulance specific program is targeted
for those in Station Officer (SO), Duty Operations Manager (DOM), Senior Control Centre Officer (SCCO),
Duty Control Centre Officer (DCCO), Ambulance Liaison Officer (ALO) and equivalent level frontline
management positions. The program is also available to non-operational frontline managers.
The AMQ was developed by Ambulance and the Australian Institute of Management NSW & ACT (AIM) and is
divided into three blocks of four days, with each block focusing on a different area of managerial responsibility
(Frontline Clinical Leadership in the Service, Managing, Leading and Developing People, and Operational
Leadership and Governance). Learning takes place in the classroom through facilitated sessions, in the
workplace via set work-based assessment tasks, in the networks that participants build amongst their
colleagues and in readings and online components.
The AMQ consists of the following components, of which all must be completed within 12 months:
- 12 days of face to face training, consisting of three x four day blocks;
- IIMS online training modules; and
- four work based assessments.
The AMQ Policy has been developed to ensure staff participating in the AMQ and their managers understand
the requirements and comply with all competency standards of the course.
Nominations for the AMQ
The Chief Executive has approved the completion of the AMQ being an essential qualification from 1 July
2013 for:
- SO;
- DOM;
- SCCO;
- DCCO;
- ALO; and
- equivalent level frontline management positions.
Currently staff who apply for the above positions either will be participating in an AMQ program or be expected
to commence the AMQ if appointed. In either case, it is a condition of employment in such positions that all
attendance, training requirements and achievement of competencies in the AMQ is completed according to
qualification timelines.

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Each operational division runs Expression of Interest (EOI) campaigns during the year. The EOI process is
aimed at operational staff interested in acting in the previously listed positions. The EOI campaigns are based
around the principles of merit selection and result in eligibility lists being created for staff to act in the role of
SO or equivalent. The eligibility lists are then used to determine staff who will need to complete the AMQ. Staff
seconded in other business units within Ambulance will need to seek approval from their substantive position
Director before nominating to attend the AMQ while on secondment.
Workforce Unit, Learning and Development Section (L&D) contact the Directors Operations and Control to
seek nominations for scheduled AMQ courses. Each Director has a nominated AMQ Coordinator within their
division who coordinates and compiles the divisions AMQ nominations and forwards the approved
nominations to L&D.
Non-operational staff seek nomination through their respective manager.
AMQ Compliance
Staff undertaking the AMQ are required without exception to complete the following components within 12
months of commencing the course:
- attend all 12 days within the required time frames;
- IIMS training; and
- pass as competent in all assessment components of the Certificate IV Frontline Management, as
assessed by AIM.
AMQ Work- Based Assessments
The four work based assessments assess a total of 10 units of competency which verify the participants
understanding of the subjects. Each of the assessments is submitted to AIM for assessing.
Competency Units for AMQ (Cert lV FLM)

Assessment #

Block

Develop work priorities

1.1

Establish networks

1.1

Implement continuous improvement

1.2

Show leadership in the workplace

1.2

Effective workplace relationships

Promote team effectiveness

Operational plans

Workplace safety

Identify risk and risk management processes

Coordinate business resources

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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All staff enrolled in the AMQ must attend all three blocks (12 days) and complete the IIMS online training. The
organisation requires all staff undertaking the AMQ to complete the Clinical Continuous Improvement Project
assessment (Assessment 1.2 from Block One) regardless of previous qualifications, education or experience.
RPL maybe approved for the other three AMQ assessments (Asst 1.1, Asst 2 and Asst 3) if appropriate.
The RPL process for the AMQ follows the AIM RPL requirements and requires students to complete the AIM
RPL kit. The RPL process requires an AMQ participant to provide a narrative against each of the elements of
the competencies covering how they demonstrate this competency in the workplace and to support this with
documentary evidence. All documentation must be recent (no older than five years for soft skills and two years
for compliance skills such as risk and Workplace Health and Safety). For more information regarding RPL
please contact L&D.
Roles and Responsibilities
AMQ Participants
It is the responsibility of staff participating in the AMQ to meet all attendance and assessment requirements
included in this policy. If staff cannot attend an AMQ block or meet assessment timeframes or requirements, it
is the responsibility of the staff member to make contact with the AMQ Coordinator in their division and their
manager to negotiate an extension of time in which to complete the requirements. Extension request
timeframes are at the discretion of the Deputy Director, Operations/Control Centre Managers and are
considered on a case by case basis. An extension request form is available from the AMQ intranet page or
from L&D.
If an AMQ participant continually fails to submit assessment work to AIM after the renegotiated assessment
due date/s or refuses or is unwilling to comply with the course and/or assessment requirements, they will be
regarded as having unsatisfactory performance and will be managed under the SOP2012-004 Managing for
Improved Performance and Behaviour Policy or at the discretion of their respective Director.

Managers and Supervisors

The responsibility of direct managers is to ensure staff are given encouragement and support to complete the
AMQ attendance and assessment requirements.
Direct managers of AMQ participants are required to provide third party sign off for assessments. Third party
sign off means that participants are required to have their direct manager check their assessment ensuring it is
complete, and then sign the third party report before submission.
Managers are also required to meet with their staff participating in the AMQ if they are informed by L&D that
their staff are not complying with attendance and assessment completion dates. Managers are also required to
monitor newly appointed managers who are participating in the AMQ to ensure they meet attendance and
training requirements and are achieving competencies according to course timelines.
Attainment of the AMQ is a key qualification for substantial (or acting in higher duties) appointment to
operational management roles. Ambulance may demote an operational manager (and equivalent management
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level) from their substantive role or not support applications for acting in higher duties and place them in the
next available position in the division if they are unsuccessful in obtaining the qualification.
Workforce Unit, Learning and Development Section
It is the responsibility of the L&D to ensure support and guidance is given to AMQ participants and that
respective managers are informed of the assessment status of all individuals in their division. L&D provide a
monthly progression report to each division/business unit.
AMQ Mentors
Ambulance staff who have successfully completed the AMQ are able to put in an EOI to become an AMQ
mentor. AMQ mentors are volunteers without additional salary or conditions who work to help their colleagues
by being a point of contact for AMQ participants to provide:

assistance with clarifying and understanding assessment questions and their requirements;
advice on how to manage the AMQ workload; and
support and encouragement.

AMQ participants can locate an AMQ mentor in their area through the AMQ Intranet page or by contacting
L&D.
AIM Student Support
The AIM Student Support section is available to provide AMQ participants assistance with submitting their
assessments online or via email. They can also answer basic assessment related questions via
assessment@aimnsw.com.au

Related Policies and Reference Material

a) AMQ program summary;
b) AIM Certificate IV Frontline Management Assessment Material; and
c) SOP2012-004 Managing for Improved Performance and Behaviour Policy.
Further Information
For further information in relation to the policy and procedures, please contact Workforce Unit, Learning and
Development Section on phone number 02 9320 7829 or 02 9320 7346.

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Standard Operating Policy

AMQ Assessment Flow Chart

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