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Reinhard Podges, Quality Assurance Officer at ER24 North Metro, says mentorship is a two-way street.
“Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is in my DNA. My journey began back in grade 10 as a first aider for school sports events. Later, ride-alongs with Clanwilliam Metro EMS sparked something in me that would define my career. In 2022, I completed my Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care at Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
“In my work as Quality Assurance Officer at ER24’s North Metro branch, I make sure we give excellent care to all patients. I often join medical teams in the field to check our work firsthand.
“About a quarter of my day is spent teaching students. Our office is right near the Mediclinic Learning Centre in TijgerPark. I work closely with our Learning and Development facilitator, Marsane Botha, to plan ongoing education courses for our medical teams.
“I collaborate with college lecturers to place students at different branches where I serve as their mentor. I also support staff across the North Metro, West Metro, South and East branches – wherever I’m needed most.
A typical day on the road
“My workday begins with the students conducting a routine check of our response car. We need adequate stock, and all equipment must be present and functional. When calls come in, I respond alongside the students, guiding them through each case.
“We’re there to learn and grow, so my critique is never personal or emotional – it’s aimed at continuous professional development (CPD). After each call, we debrief: What went right? What went wrong? For serious cases like resuscitations or critical injuries, we discuss key aspects and the importance of proper sequencing – all part of CPD.
Building networks and teamwork
“A big part of my job is building relationships and working with others – not just in my own team but also with other emergency services. During serious emergencies, such as car crashes and resuscitations, we often have different services all working together with one goal: giving patients the best possible care.
“I’m one of only three field professionals qualified to sign off on students’ practical skills. My approach to mentorship is supportive. I guide students through procedures, allowing them to lead cases and stepping in only when necessary. This creates a safe learning environment where mistakes become growth opportunities.
What makes a good EMS professional
“The best learners and professionals share key traits: they want to learn, can learn, and are eager to grow. They care deeply about what they do. They’ll often stay after hours to keep learning. When given advice on how to improve, they take it seriously and use it. You can see this improvement in how they handle future situations. Above all, this profession requires passion.”
Finding balance through mentorship
Working together for 12 hours at a time naturally creates friendships. But as a teacher, I keep some distance so I can give honest feedback. I try to fully support all students and find ways for them to learn whenever I can.
My colleagues at North Metro have become like family to me. We spend many hours together, so of course we sometimes share our personal problems at work. Branch Manager Grant Stewart has become a father figure to me. With nearly 30 years’ experience as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic, he’ll often remind me to go home and rest to avoid burnout.
“We’ve taught each other valuable skills over the years. Recently, we responded to a pedestrian accident involving a child hit by a bakkie. Grant and I worked together like a well-oiled machine to stabilise the child before transporting to the hospital.
Lessons that last
“Perhaps the most important lessons I’ve learned don’t involve medical procedures at all. Grant has taught me crucial emotional management skills: ‘When you’re on a call, leave yourself at the base. Go be an instrument to save lives. Don’t take work home; don’t take home to work.’
“In emergency medicine, every day brings something new. Keeping up with new medical facts and regulations isn’t just about growing our skills – we owe it to our patients. This ongoing learning, plus caring and working well together, is what makes excellent emergency care possible.
“As I continue my journey in EMS, I’m both teacher and student – growing, adapting, and raising the next generation of emergency medical professionals .”