Roles and responsibilities
The Chief Paramedic Officer provides strategic clinical, operational and policy advice to the Victorian Government on paramedicine, ambulance services, emergency care and broader health system reform. Drawing on extensive frontline and leadership experience, the role provides expert and independent advice to inform the development of policies, programs and initiatives that impact ambulance services, patient outcomes and system performance.
The Chief Paramedic Officer serves as a key link between the Department of Health, Ambulance Victoria and the broader paramedicine profession. Through ongoing engagement with paramedics, clinical leaders, health services, professional bodies and sector stakeholders, the role provides an informed perspective to government decision-making and helps ensure policy and reform initiatives are grounded in operational realities and contemporary clinical practice.
The role supports collaboration across the health system to strengthen models of care, workforce development and innovative service delivery. By maintaining strong relationships across the profession and remaining actively engaged in clinical practice and education, the Chief Paramedic Officer helps build trust and constructive dialogue between government, Ambulance Victoria and the paramedic workforce, supporting the identification and resolution of emerging issues and opportunities across the sector.
Key activities
- Supporting the development of system changes to reduce ambulance demand and improve outcomes for patients ensuring thr right response for the right patient.
- Sector engagement on key ambulance and emergency care reforms
- Supporting the implementation of the Standards for safe and timely ambulance and emergency care for Victorians
About the Chief Paramedic Officer
Leon Baranowski (MSc, MEd, CHE, SFHEA MACPara) is an experienced paramedic, educator, researcher and health system leader with 20 years' experience across Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Throughout his career, he has held senior clinical, operational, leadership and academic roles spanning ambulance services, advanced practice, clinical governance, workforce development, health system reform and paramedicine education.
Prior to his appointment, Leon held senior leadership positions within ambulance services, including responsibility for clinical and professional practice, scope of practice reform, workforce capability and system-wide models of care. His work has included leading the development of urgent and acute care pathways to reduce and manage demand, advancing clinical governance frameworks, supporting workforce reform initiatives and contributing to the design and implementation of contemporary out-of-hospital care models to improve patient outcomes.
Leon has also made significant contributions to paramedicine education and research. As a Senior Lecturer in Paramedicine, Leon has collaborated internationally with ambulance services, universities and governments, and has contributed to research focused on patient safety, workforce reform, and health service design.
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