Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic)

Course code: 3445 + Course abbreviation: BEmergHealth(Pmed) + Total credit points required: 144 + 3 years full-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Peninsula - F/T only)

Course description

This course prepares students for potential employment as paramedics in ambulance and community health services. Paramedics provide pre-hospital care for sick and injured people aimed at stabilising and/or improving the patient's condition in preparation for and during transport to hospital.

Course objectives

A graduate of the Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic) will demonstrate the generic attributes expected of a Monash graduate, the attributes of professionalism, the specific attributes expected by the industry and the profession, and the ability to adapt to change and develop their career as leaders while making a contribution to the community in the field of community-based emergency health services.

The objectives of the Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic) have been classified according to the themes of the course. On successful completion of the BEmergHealth(Pmed), the graduate should be able to demonstrate the following:

+ Personal and professional development: the generic academic and professional attributes normally expected of a Monash University graduate; the attributes of professionalism as applied to paramedics in community-based emergency health settings; effective communication skills; an awareness of cultural diversity and cultural competence in the paramedic practice setting; the academic attributes necessary to commence graduate studies in a specialist area of ambulance paramedic clinical practice and/or service delivery.
+ Population health and illness in society: the application of the essentials of the priniciples, practices, and philosophies of public health, primary health care and rural health in the community-based emergency health setting; ability to manage the associated social, cultural, religious, emotional and communication aspects of sick and injured persons, their relatives, carers and bystanders.
+ Foundations of the paramedic clinician: knowledge and understanding of the relevant biomedical sciences, health social sciences, and clinical sciences which underpin clinical practice; an ability to recognise and assess appropriate symptom-syndrome patterns and to care for patients as required at the scene of sudden illness or injury, within the scope of ambulance paramedic practice; a patient oriented, preventive and systematic and clinical approach, to patient care; the use of clinical problem-solving processes in planning and implementing patient care; the integration of theory and practical skills as a beginner paramedic.
+ Community-based emergency health in integrated health and emergency systems: understanding the principles of emergency preparedness, disasters, and emergency health; an ability to assist with rescue techniques and to initially manage multi-casualty incidents; the application of quality management principles including clinical audit to the improvement of clinical service standard and delivery; the ability to apply occupational health and safety principles in the practice setting; an appreciation of the current trends, drivers, and evolution of community-based emergency health services both in Australia and overseas as a basis for contributing to innovation in health and emergency care and in responding to the challenge of change.
+ Science, knowledge and evidence: an understanding of the principles and practices of evidence-based practice in the setting of national health, primary emergency health and research priorities through their application to paramedic practice and service delivery; a knowledge of the scientific process and the elements of the scholarly approach

Special requirements

Students must complete a medical and fitness assessment. This is a prerequisite for clinical placements offered by Victorian ambulance services. Students must also complete a police check.

Course structure

Course requirements

Students must complete all core units, unless admitted to year two via the accelerated pathway. This applies to students with relevant tertiary education that enables advanced standing.

First Year

First semester

BEH1011 Clinical concepts of paramedic practice
HSC1051 Working with people
HSC1031 Foundations of health
HSC1301 Human structure and function 1

Second semester

HSC1302 Human structure and function 2
HSC1052 Health and social care systems
NUR1202 Legal issues and concepts
SRH2002 Indigenous health and wellbeing

Second year

First semester

BEH2011 Professionalism and community based emergency health systems
BEH2021 Population aspects of CBEH services
BEH2031 Foundations of paramedic clinical practice
BEH2041 Human development and health across the lifespan

Second semester

BEH2012 Paramedic management of cardio-respiratory conditions
BEH2022 Paramedic management of trauma and environmental conditions
BEH2032 Paramedic clinical practice 1

Third year

First semester

BEH3011 Paramedic management of medical conditions and mental health
BEH3021 Paramedic management of health conditions at life stages
BEH3031 Paramedic clinical practice 2
BEH3051 Paramedic management of mental health illness

Second semester

BEH3012 Clinical leadership and emergency preparedness
BEH3022 Contemporary challenges in CBEH
BEH3032 Paramedic management of critical care specialty situations
BEH3042 Paramedic clinical practice 3

Contact details

Telephone: +61 3 9904 4368; email: enquiries.paramedics@med.monash.edu.au or visit www.med.monash.edu.au/paramedic/

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