APS1040 - The professional ambulance paramedic

Leader(s): Mr Mark Chilton

Offered

Peninsula Ambulance teaching period 1 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Ambulance teaching period 2 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Ambulance teaching period 3 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Ambulance teaching period 4 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Ambulance teaching period 5 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Ambulance teaching period 6 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Full year 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester to First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit emphasises the professional role of the ambulance paramedic. The student is provided with opportunity to practice communication techniques in relation to teamwork, effective leadership and conflict resolution and is also provided with instructional techniques to aid in the fulfilment of the ambulance role in community health education. The legal framework governing ambulance practice that was introduced in Year 1 is further developed, and the principles of evidence based practice and quality management are introduced and their application to ambulance explored. The unit also emphasises the attitude and knowledge required to perform safe advanced driving techniques.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit, students should demonstrate:

1. a working knowledge of the requirements for presenting evidence in a professional capacity to court and understand the principles of evidentiary validation and the requirements for evidence preservation at a potential crime scene;

2. the ability to clearly articulate the precepts of duty of care and their application to Ambulance Paramedic practice;

3. a comprehensive understanding of ethnicity and cultural diversity as demonstrated by interaction with patients that recognises and respects ethnic, social and cultural differences;

4. a comprehensive knowledge, and be able to debate, contemporary ethical issues and their application to Ambulance Paramedic practice;

5. the ability to use appropriate interpersonal communication techniques and apply the principles of conflict management and conflict resolution in difficult and complex situations arising with members of the public, patients and health and emergency services professionals so as to prevent or defuse conflict;

6. an understanding of the role of the media in providing information to the public and how to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality during a media interview;

7. an understanding and application of basic management theories and practices as they relate to the ambulance profession;

8. an understanding of the principles of multi-casualty incident management and be able to apply these through scene assessment and initial coordination of ambulance and other resources and knowledge of critical incident stress debriefing and care of self;

9. an understanding and promote the benefits of health promotion and illness prevention to the broader community;

10. the ability to provide training and develop learning resources for small groups in the community and workplace;

11. an understanding of the principles of evidence based practice and their contributions to Ambulance Paramedic practice, and to be able to use these principles to critically appraise best practice evidence and contribute to the Ambulance Services' research and information technology program; and

12. an understanding of the benefits of and a commitment to continued professional development that promotes the practice of maintaining currency of professional practice standards, integrity and personal accountability.

Assessment

Examinations: 50%
Small group activities: 15%
Assignments: 15%
Training session: 10%
Reflective journal: 10%
Practical assessment: Pass/Fail

Contact hours

312 hours including 160 hours direct contact

Prerequisites

employment by an Ambulance Service