Jess Sincock, an Associate Nurse Unit Manager in our Special Care Nursery at Epworth Freemasons, cares for premature and ill babies requiring intensive monitoring and medical support.
She has been volunteering as a Lorne surf lifesaver for 15 years and recently achieved her long-time dream of being accepted into the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service in a highly competitive process.
"I felt I could bring a lot to the helicopter service, and I was really drawn to the fact that the helicopter goes to complex situations requiring specialised assistance," Jess said.
While Jess's track record as a former surf lifesaver was integral, she believes her experience in our Special Care Nursery at Epworth Freemasons has also helped her prepare for the high-pressure and complex nature of helicopter rescue missions.
"Being able to communicate within small teams during such high-pressure situations has definitely helped me," she said.
"For example, if you have a baby come in who needs to be resuscitated, you need to have excellent communication with your team and you can't let panic overwhelm you.
"That practice has helped keep me focused in the helicopter."
New in her role in the Special Care Nursery and only recently joining the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, Jess said "it's really refreshing to learn new skills – both in special care and my chopper work".
"My role in special care and my volunteering definitely overlap both ways," she said.
