From nurse to frontline paramedic: How her inspiring journey is now possible with the Work-Study Diploma

From being the first on the scene at road accidents to delivering a baby in an ambulance, no work day is the same for Sergeant 2 (SGT2) Stephanie Goh.

But the goal remains the same with every call for help: saving someone’s life.

Being on the frontline of emergency care and impacting lives every day is one of the many reasons the 34-year-old loves her job as a paramedic with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

Stationed at Yishun Fire Station for the past three years, SGT2 Goh used to be afraid of seeing open wounds at accident scenes. However, she shares that anyone can be a paramedic, “even if you are scared of blood”. The reason: the job, she explains, builds resilience through professional training with the SCDF, and over time, nurtures empathy.

“The instinct to help others is within all of us,” she says.

It takes skill and composure under pressure to become a paramedic like SGT2 Goh – qualities that can be developed with structured learning pathways. The

SCDF-ITE Work-Study Diploma in Paramedicine

, for example, offers aspiring paramedics a blend of classroom learning and real-world exposure.

Over two and a half years, sponsored trainees will have the chance to earn a salary while gaining hands-on experience in life-saving situations.

They will divide their time between studying at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) campus and performing operational duties under the guidance of seasoned professionals – which includes on-the-job assessment – at the fire station. By the end of the programme, the trainees will become full-fledged paramedics with a nationally recognised diploma.

Making an impact with pre-hospital emergency care

Although SGT2 Goh did not have the opportunity to undergo the SCDF-ITE Work-Study Diploma in Paramedicine during her training years, she has built a strong medical foundation through six years of hands-on experience as a nurse in a public hospital. In 2020, she earned a Diploma in Nursing from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, supported by a Home Team sponsorship.

Though she loved nursing and found deep fulfilment in seeing her patients recover and “walk out of the hospital”, she was drawn to a role that places her at the very first point of emergency care.

She explains that paramedics operate in teams, often thinking on their feet and making swift decisions at the scene of an emergency to ensure patients receive critical medical care as quickly as possible.

Transitioning to paramedicine has enabled her to take on a more dynamic role, allowing her to apply her medical skills in high-pressure situations where every second counts.

Although her nursing background gave her a solid foundation in medical knowledge and terminology, she still had to go through an intensive pre-hospital care training programme in the SCDF to prepare for her role as a paramedic.

This includes modules in trauma management and advanced life support, as well as a two-week training which allows trainees to experience how medical operations are conducted to support firefighting and rescue operations.

One of the more memorable learning experiences was when SGT2 Goh got to observe a gynaecology team deliver newborns, a skill which came in useful when she encountered a heavily pregnant patient who went into labour in the ambulance.

She safely delivered the baby en route to the hospital.

There is a common misconception that a paramedic’s job revolves around driving ambulances and sending patients to the hospital, says SGT2 Goh. In reality, SCDF paramedics are highly trained professionals who are always ready to provide advanced medical care directly at the scene of emergencies.

An all-rounded job with no two days alike

Paramedics play a vital role in the provision of immediate medical intervention and stabilising the condition of patients while en route to the hospital. This helps to ensure the best outcome for the patients.

Given the time-sensitive nature of emergencies, paramedics also furnish hospital staff with comprehensive information and documentation upon arrival. This process has become even more seamless with the use of recording devices that enable the paramedics to share and assess footage of the scene with the hospital care team.

“After a long day at work, it is very rewarding when someone says ‘thank you’,” says SGT2 Goh.

To unwind, SGT2 Goh enjoys taking relaxing walks in the park. On her days off, she practises yoga, meditates and trains at the gym to keep herself fit.

At SCDF, paramedics have clear pathways for career progression, says SGT2 Goh. Opportunities range from specialising in various areas of emergency medicine to taking on research work.

Case in point: SGT2 Goh took part in a research study conducted by the SCDF on how the Covid-19 pandemic had affected the mental resilience of healthcare workers in Singapore, which concluded in August 2025. Over the next five years, she hopes to do more research-based studies as well as pick up more specialised skills, such as in pre-hospital paediatric life support.

“As an SCDF paramedic, there are always new challenges to meet. It’s not a stagnant job,” she says.

Applications for the SCDF-ITE Work-Study Diploma in Paramedicine are now open – find out how you can work, learn and earn as a paramedic, and register your interest today.