Ms Jessica Tillett1
1RFDS-WO
Biography:
Jessica Tillett is a Flight Nurse with the Royal Flying Doctor Service Western Operations and Lead Assessor in the Check and Training Team for medical transport specialists and cabin safety. Holding a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) and a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, she has over 11 years’ experience across rural and metropolitan WA hospitals, specialising in emergency, medical, community-based nursing, critical care aeromedical retrieval, and maternity services, including Level 2 neonatal nursery care.
Jess treats patients with diverse conditions – trauma, cardiac events, respiratory failure, and acute neurological deficits such as CVA – while managing multiple critically ill cases through assessment, prioritisation, and clear communication with patients and families. She also works with WA Health to maintain her midwifery skills and remains ready for deployment in global disaster and trauma responses. As a part of her role at the RFDS, Jess has developed and implemented the Medical Transport Specialist program across the organisation.
Jess is constantly seeking new challenges to expand her knowledge and skills, driven by a strong motivation to learn, grow, and excel in aeromedical retrieval and critical care. With a passionate for disaster and trauma management, Jess is a member of both the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) and the WA Medical Assistance Team (WAMAT). In 2024, Jess represented WAMAT at the EMT Global Meeting Conference in Abu Dhabi. Her next goal is to obtain a dual-registration degree with a paramedical component.
Outside of work, Jess is a dedicated mother to three boys.
Abstract:
RFDSWO Rolls Out Compliance with Medical Transport Specialists (MTS)
Abstract- 2025 AEROMED CONFERENCE- 24-26 September 2025, Hobart, Tasmania
Medical crew members involved in medical transport operations, specifically in aeromedical retrieval, were reclassified as Medical Transport Specialists (MTS) in 2021 under CASR Part 133 (Rotorcraft) and Part 135 (Smaller Aeroplanes), in compliance with the Manual of Standards (Part 133 and 135 MOS). This paper outlines how RFDSWO has achieved compliance in response to the planning, implementation and assessment of training programs, focusing on cabin safety and system compliance across normal, non-normal, and emergency procedures for each airframe type within the organisation.
METHOD:
This presentation provides an overview of the MTS training program, detailing the rollout of recurrent training, the recruitment process for obtaining trainers for line training and assessors to conduct ground school, line checks, and proficiency checks to maintain MTS standards. Additionally, the development plan for evaluating training needs will be discussed to ensure the continued delivery of effective training while meeting the operational requirements for the future of RFDS in the aviation sector.
RESULTS:
Currently, RFDSWO has 180 MTS personnel across Western Australia’s frontlines who have successfully completed their recurrent training and checking recency requirements.
CONCLUSION:
The development and delivery of the MTS training program has evolved significantly, establishing a strong foundation for ongoing training. This progress has resulted in a 100% pass rate for MTS personnel across the state on all three airframes: PC-12, PC-24, and EC-145, with the new PC-12 NGX soon to be integrated.
Jessica Tillett
Lead MTS Assessor and flight nurse
RFDS Jandakot, Western Australia