BEH2031

Foundations of paramedic clinical practice ( 12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL)

Leader: Mr Brett Williams

Offered:
Peninsula First semester 2006 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit uses the framework of humans throughout the life span to identify emergency health issues and the roles expected of paramedics as clinicians. Clinical visits are used to provide clinical context to the theoretical background. The unit covers the foundations skills of clinical approach, problem solving, decision-making, and scene management. These are practiced in the laboratory and simulation settings. A satisfactory level in all essential clinical skills is required before students can undertake supervised clinical placements with both non emergency and emergency ambulance services.

Objectives: By the completion of this unit, the student will be able to: 1. describe the physical, personal, psychological and social milestones of human development throughout the lifespan; 2. identify and explain the implications to the individual and society of major health and emergency health issues at various stages of the lifespan; 3. communicate effectively with individuals in each phase of the lifespan. 4. define, explain, and demonstrate the elements of a contemporary model of paramedic clinical competence; 5. demonstrate the required standard in each of the core clinical skills of clinical approach, clinical problem solving, clinical decision-making, and scene management demonstrating safety consciousness; 6. demonstrate the required standard in each of the core practical skills expected at the basic life support level; 7. describe of the scope of practice of the Paramedic using the Victorian Ambulance Clinical Practice Guidelines, Clinical Work Instructions and companion guidelines with supplemental resource documents; 8. discuss the principles of occupational health and safety in the workplace with particular emphasis on safe lifting techniques and principles of standard precautions in other aspects of infection control; 9. describe methods for: recognising, avoiding and removing dangers at an incident scene; access and egress; scene management; and risk control, under routine and emergency situations; 11. demonstrate methods for: recognising, avoiding and removing dangers at an incident scene; access and egress; scene management; and risk control, under supervised routine and emergency situations; 12. describe the appropriate verbal and written communication skills required for communicating with patients and relatives, with co workers and with other health and emergency services professionals; 13. identify sources of potential stress within the work environment and discuss potential strategies to minimise and cope with these stressors; and 14. appreciate the work environment, scope of practice, teamwork, and operational requirements of the patient transport services and ambulance service sector.

Assessment: Written examination (3 hour): 40% + Written assignment (2000 words): 30%+ Clinical visit report (1000 words): 15% + Short answer questions: 15% + Essential practical skills portfolio: Pass/Fail + Clinical practice portfolio: pass/fail + Reflective journal: Pass/Fail