She's one of the 4,800 paramedics in Ambulance Victoria who treat the 6.5 million people living in the state.

And she's pretty much seen it all.

From the heart attacks to the asthma attacks, the broken arms, and car crashes, Kim's front row seat to trauma means she's pretty much prepared for everything.

But nothing could have prepared her for the last 18 months.

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The workload has gotten busier over the past five years but the last 18 months working during COVID has completely changed the way every day worked, the Eaglehawk Acting Team Manager said.

"Our workload is the highest it's ever been and the workload we do - day to day - has changed as a result of COVID-19," she said.

These changes aren't small by any means.

Now, when paramedics attend a job, they must treat almost all patients as though they are COVID-positive.

"If we go out to someone and they present with a cough, shortness of breath or a fever, we have to wear full PPE," Kim said.

And that's no small exercise.

When a paramedic dons full PPE, they're basically covered from head to toes.

"We have had days where it's been over 30 degrees already and it's physically demanding for us and for our staff," Kim said.

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"I attended a COVID positive patient, a few days ago and I was in full gear for an hour and half.

"It was night it was cold but wearing that (amount) of PPE makes you become so dehydrated and fatigued just from the sweat you've created."

It can be exhausting, she said.

And very physically demanding. Paramedics can be called out to a COVID positive patients from one to six times during a shift.

"Yes, our workload has changed and it's so high but it's also impacting the way we interact with our patients and loved ones," Kim said.

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"It makes it hard to build a rapport with patients when wearing PPE, it's pretty confronting for people and it's really challenging when our verbal communication is our main form of communication.

"How do you tell someone a loved one is really sick or interact with children, when you are wearing full PPE?"

Responding to jobs with positive or suspected COVID-positive patients can also bring a degree of anxiety, the paramedic said, and not just from the patients.

"You have that level of anxiety when you do go out because at the end of the day, if I was to be exposed, it's my safety a risk, it's the safety of my loved ones," Kim said.

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"If I was exposed to the virus it would also mean I couldn't go back to work - which would affect my co-workers and the community itself."

Despite all of the challenges presented in the past five years, Kim said she still loves her job.

"The diverse nature of our job, working during a global pandemic, it has been very challenging and it has affected every single person across the world," she said.

"Working on the frontline during the pandemic hasn't changed my love for the job however it has been a challenging time for all of us working."

With Ambulance Victoria's workload expected to rise as Victoria exits lockdown and restrictions ease, Kim is pleading with the public to leave triple zero for emergencies only.

"Our workload is so high and we do encourage people to call Nurse on Call, consult with their GP or pharmacist before calling an ambulance," she said.

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"Every job that could be handled by a Nurse on Call or a GP does waste our resources and time.

"We are being worked really hard at the moment and it's such a challenging time for us all.

"We really ask for people to think before calling for emergency relief."

Kim said they encourage people to only call if there is a medical emergency.

"We encourage everyone - if there is a medical emergency than call us - that's what we are here for," she said.

"But if it's not, try and seek out other avenues before calling us."

Kim wanted to thank all paramedics and frontline staff for their on-going hard work during the past 18 months.

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"Thank you to all of our co-workers, not just the paramedics but also all of the nurses, the doctors, cleaners, the admin staff, firefighters, police, GPS, pharmacist, testers, and all other emergency services personnel," she said.

"Thank you also to the community. This is a critical time for us, as amazing as it is that the state is opening up, our workload will continue to rise."

Help us help you, she said.

"If the community can do their part - (by) being vaccinated to protect themselves and (saving) triple zero for emergencies, (thank you)."

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