PAR1012 - Foundations of paramedic practice - 2018

This unit expands upon the assessment of patients from PAR1011 and moves forward to examine the treatment and management of low acuity, conscious patients.

The legal context for paramedic practice is discussed, including the medico-legal concepts of professionalism and ethics, and essential legal aspects of paramedic care, such as consent and negligence.

Essential clinical and assessment skills will be further developed by initiating treatment of low acuity patients with pain and fractures. Students will learn to safely deliver medications and apply basic management procedures. These skills will be developed in the clinical laboratory and simulation settings.

Paramedic clinical practice will be contextualised through supervised clinical experience with a non-emergency ambulance service.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe concepts of medical professionalism and ethics and identify key legal aspects of paramedic care;
2. Manage low acuity patients presenting with pain, fractures or hypoxia;
3. Describe the characteristics of effective clinical decision making;
4. Implement a safe and effective approach to manual handling for both practitioner and patient;
5. Successfully implement a full standard clinical approach to the assessment and treatment of ambulance patients.

4 x Clinical Placements (Paramedic) (32 hours)

• Ethics case studies (equivalent 2,500 words) (30%)
• Practical skills & scenario exam (30%) (Hurdle)
• Final exam (2 hours) (40%) (Hurdle)
• 4 x Community Placement (32 hours) (Pass/Fail) (Hurdle)

6 hours per week involving lectures, tutorials, simulation, clinical laboratory and small group exercises, and 6 hours per week of self-directed study

See also Unit timetable information

Paramedicine