Employment History:
Clinical Nurse, Anaesthetic Technology, West Coast District Health Board

Published Works:
Ms. Lineham has done public speaking on defibrillator project at the Anesthetic Technicians Conference in 2006.

Public Speaking Experience:

Why She is an Expert:
She’s informed, educated and skilled at what she does. So skilled, in fact, that when she recently tried to leave her job to try out something new, her boss would not have it. “My supervisor said, ‘This would be catastrophic. You’re good at what you do. Never leave and don’t try this again’,” recalled Ms. Lineham.

Best Advice:
“Keep going. Times are tough in this profession. We’re getting more and more regulated and we have to be accountable. Persevere, because you have lots of support out there.”

Passionate about:
“Doing the best for patients; doing the best for your community; doing the best you can for the people you work with as well.”

Biography Excerpt:
Irene H. Lineham is an anesthetic technician and registered nurse at Wakefield Health. She is a compassionate healthcare provider who has risen above and beyond her assigned responsibilities to distribute life-saving medical equipment to the public. During a recent interview with Cambridge Who's Who, Ms. Lineham recalls, “The major hospital and EMS were too far away to help save a woman injured at a remote tourist spot. An American paramedic who witnessed the accident promised residents that he would do something to help improve the chances of survival in this remote area.” When the American donated 24 defibrillators to Ms. Lineham, she enlisted the help of the West Coast District Health Board and a large mining corporation to distribute them in the most remote areas.

     

Cambridge Who's Who: How do you remain current in your profession?  
IRENE H LINEHAM :  To keep our registration, we have to complete 60 hours of continued education every three years. So you have to go to courses and you have to keep re-registering yourself.

What is the most significant issue facing your profession today?
We’re very short on the floor with nurses and technicians, and it’s becoming a worldwide problem.

What is the most difficult obstacle or challenge you have faced in pursuit of your goals?
Being a mother and a working person at the same time is an obstacle. I’ve had to combine all these things. Usually, there is a way to get over an obstacle.