Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Volunteer Work
Timeline
Generic

Katy Blackburn

Invermay

Summary

I am an experienced and enthusiastic outdoor guide and medical professional with a passion for wilderness medicine and education.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

First Aid/CPR Instructor

First Aid Pro
05.2024 - Current
  • Deliver CPR and First Aid training in thorough and engaging way
  • Promote a positive learning environment by creating a safe and inclusive space for learners

Wilderness First Aid Instructor

Wild Education
05.2024 - Current
  • Deliver 5-day Wilderness First Aid courses and 2-day refresher courses
  • Increased student motivation by developing engaging lesson plans that catered to various learning styles.
  • Facilitate simulation exercises that allow students to practice a wide variety of hands on skills

Kangaroo Island Team Leader

Tasmanian Walking Company
08.2023 - 11.2023
  • Supervised staff of ~10 guides and hosts to provide guided walking and hospitality experience on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail
  • Brought guest feedback scores from 28/100 to 100/100 surpassing the target of 85/100
  • Maintained first aid kits and maintained company safety standards including filing incident reports as needed
  • Developed strong relationships with Kangaroo Island community and local vendors
  • Managed conflict resolution among team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
  • Streamlined workflows for increased efficiency in all areas


Bushwalking Guide

Tasmanian Walking Company
09.2022 - 12.2024
  • Guided 6-day Overland Track trips
  • Guided 4 day Kangaroo Island walking trips

Bushwalking Guide

World Expeditions
03.2023 - 08.2023
  • Worked within a budget to buy food and supplies for 6-day long guided walks on the Larapinta Trail
  • Maintained safety standards during excursions, resulting in zero accidents or incidents
  • Managed unexpected challenges with flexibility and creative problem-solving, maintaining seamless experiences for guests.
  • Developed an extensive knowledge of local history and culture, delivering thoughtful interpretation during tours

Instructor and Assistant Manager

Nantahala Outdoor Center- SOLO Wilderness Medicine
09.2020 - 09.2022
  • Oversaw staff of 20 full time and part-time instructors as the department assistant manager
  • Taught wilderness medicine classes including 2-day Wilderness First Aid, 4-day Advanced Wilderness First Aid, and 9-day Wilderness First Responder. Over 1,000 teaching hours logged
  • Assisted with NREMT (National Registry Emergency Medical Technician) and Wilderness EMT courses including proctoring final EMT exams. Assist with Introduction to Search and Rescue courses
  • 2021 SOLO SE Instructor of the year

Field Instructor- Head Instructor

BlueFire Wilderness Therapy
01.2020 - 09.2020
  • Responsible for health, safety, and supervision of clients 24/7 during 15-day shifts
  • Monitor and record client growth and development on a daily basis.
  • Work alongside treatment team to fulfill specific needs and treatment plans for each client.
  • Deliver academic curriculum and teach primitive living and outdoor survival skills to assigned groups.
  • Provide medical care to groups and respond to behavioural, environmental, and medical emergencies.
  • Oversee 1-3 other instructors.

EMT

Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Service
01.2018 - 09.2018


  • Answered 911 calls to provided emergency patient care and transport

Camp Director and Wilderness Program Coordinator

YMCA Camp Hi-Rock
01.2017 - 09.2018
  • Worked with executive director to manage and develop overnight, day and group camping programs
  • Managed Wilderness program including backpacking, rock climbing and canoeing expeditions
  • Hired, trained, supervised, and evaluated staff of 120



Other

Work Experience

- St Patrick's College, Launceston: School camps instructor (2024- present)

- New Canaan Nature Center, CT, USA: Adventure Summer Camp Instructor (2019)

- Southern Lakes Sightseeing, QT, NZ: Tour Guide (2018-2019)


Education

Bachelor of Nursing -

University of Tasmania
TAS
12-2026

Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies

University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
06.2016

Skills

  • Wilderness EMT
  • National Registry EMT
  • Beyond Basic Ropes Course Rescue
  • First Aid, CPR & AED Instructor
  • Wilderness Medicine Instructor
  • Cert IV in Training and Assessing
  • Land SAR

Volunteer Work

SES 2024- Present 

  • Northern Search & Rescue Unit

Swain County Rescue Squad (Bryson City, NC) 2021-2022

  • Search and Rescue Team Member operating in Swain County and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Board Member
  • Training Officer


Timeline

First Aid/CPR Instructor

First Aid Pro
05.2024 - Current

Wilderness First Aid Instructor

Wild Education
05.2024 - Current

Kangaroo Island Team Leader

Tasmanian Walking Company
08.2023 - 11.2023

Bushwalking Guide

World Expeditions
03.2023 - 08.2023

Bushwalking Guide

Tasmanian Walking Company
09.2022 - 12.2024

Instructor and Assistant Manager

Nantahala Outdoor Center- SOLO Wilderness Medicine
09.2020 - 09.2022

Field Instructor- Head Instructor

BlueFire Wilderness Therapy
01.2020 - 09.2020

EMT

Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Service
01.2018 - 09.2018

Camp Director and Wilderness Program Coordinator

YMCA Camp Hi-Rock
01.2017 - 09.2018

Other

Work Experience

Bachelor of Nursing -

University of Tasmania

Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies

University of California Santa Barbara
Katy Blackburn