Description
Paramedics are health care professionals who provide unscheduled and emergency health care to individuals in the community. They assess patients, initiate care, and determine appropriate transport or referral to enable continuing care. Paramedics respond to a range of situations, attend cases in a wide variety of settings, and work with a broad range of other health care professionals and emergency services. The Bachelor of Paramedicine will develop knowledge and skills you need to practice as a paramedic within national, international and private ambulance services, or in the community sector.
In the first year of this course you will focus on foundation concepts which build a solid base of knowledge and skills. These will be expanded upon with more complex subject matter in the subsequent years. You will study the structure and function of the human body, human development across the life span, disease processes, learn about the Australian health care system and the role paramedics play within it. You will also study foundation research skills and develop an awareness of the important role research plays in evidenced-based paramedic practice.
In the second and third years you will develop core knowledge and skills to treat cardiovascular, respiratory, mental health, traumatic and medical emergency presentations, as well as learn specific care of maternal, neonatal, geriatric and paediatric patients. You will also learn about emergency management and the role of paramedics in mass casualty disaster incidents. During these years the underlying theory of these clinical units will be complemented by large practical components where you will participate in scenario-based exercises.
The on-campus learning is strengthened by a significant clinical placement component which is spread over the three years of the course. Clinical placements within community settings, hospitals, and private and public ambulance services allow you to put learning into context and practice.
This course is challenging and dynamic, and offers the successful graduate the potential for a rewarding and satisfying career in out-of-hospital emergency care.
Outcomes
These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).
Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:
- apply knowledge and skills to contemporary paramedic practice
- demonstrate appropriate ethical, non-discriminatory and professional behaviours required of a paramedic
- promote health and wellbeing in the application of successful paramedic practice
- implement a competent systematic clinical and patient-focussed approach to the delivery of paramedic care
- communicate effectively with other professionals, patients and the community using a variety of methods
- implement effective problem solving, critical thinking, reasoning and decision making in the clinical setting
- adapt and modify clinical practice through reflection within a clinical practice framework
- critically appraise and apply the best available evidence to your clinical practice
- acknowledge the importance of population-based health issues and illness in society
- exhibit cultural competence and social awareness related to paramedic practice.
Mandatory Compliance
If you are undertaking a course with clinical or fieldwork placements you must demonstrate compliance with the following checks and requirements. For more information refer to the Mandatory ComplianceMandatory Compliance (http://www.monash.edu/medicine/study/student-services/mandatory-compliance) webpage and carefully read the Clinical/Fieldwork Placement HandbookClinical/Fieldwork Placement Handbook (http://www.monash.edu/medicine/study/student-services/policies/clinical-fieldwork-placement). It is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation is obtained prior to commencing clinical/fieldwork placements.
Police checks
A current national and/or international Police check is required regarding suitability to undertake clinical/fieldwork placements.
Working with Children checks
A current Working with Children check is required regarding suitability to undertake clinical/fieldwork placements.
Immunisation and vaccination requirements
In accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations, this course requires that you comply with the faculty's Mandatory ComplianceMandatory Compliance (http://www.monash.edu/medicine/study/student-services/mandatory-compliance) requirements regarding immunisation and vaccination. These requirements are designed to provide maximum protection against the increased risk of some vaccine preventable diseases for students, patients and workers in health care settings.
You are required to have certain specified vaccinations and have your blood borne virus status determined, before commencement of clinical/fieldwork placement. Non-compliance of this requirement may result in you being unable to undertake the clinical/fieldwork placement, with the attendant academic consequences. If you test positive to a blood borne virus (including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) you will be required to consult a specialist medical practitioner approved by the faculty to provide advice on any necessary restrictions on work practices to protect patients and others from infection.
Health check
The health and fitness assessment process involves a review of medical history and physical fitness. You need to carefully consider your full medical history and ask questions early. A medical issue that may otherwise be assumed is not an issue, may prevent you meeting the medical history test. Similarly the fitness test involves a thorough physical examination and includes a fitness test that may require fitness preparation.
You are directed to contact Ambulance Victoria Medical Services Provider on telephone 1800 240 395 to obtain information and advice prior to enrolling in this course to discuss any questions or concerns in relation to medical history or physical health and fitness. Monash University does not accept responsibility if you enrol but cannot complete the course due to an inability to meet the medical and fitness tests imposed by Ambulance Victoria.
Professional recognition
The course is accredited by the Council of Ambulance Authorities. Professional registration of paramedics commenced in 2018 by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Structure
The course develops through five themes.
Part A. Clinical competency
This theme ensures that theory is aligned and linked with all paramedic clinical competencies (technical and non-technical).
Part B. Patient-focussed care
This theme ensures that theory and practice are aligned within a patient-context.
Part C. Evidence-based practice
This theme ensures integration of contemporary empirical evidence into paramedic clinical practice.
Part D. Reflective practitioners
This theme ensures integration of paramedic reflection-on-practice.
Part E. Professionalism
This theme ensures best-practice principles of professionalism are integrated into paramedic clinical practice.
Requirements
This course comprises 144 points. The course uses a thematic approach and develops through five themes: Part A. Clinical Competency, Part B. Patient-Focussed Care, Part C. Evidence-Based Practice, Part D. Reflective Practitioners, and Part E. Professionalism. These themes are interwoven in units throughout the course.
The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-m2011.pdf) provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.
Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.
Foundation studies (36 points)
You must complete:
- BMA1011 Foundation of anatomy and physiology for health practice 1
- BMA1012 Foundations of anatomy and physiology for health practice 2
- PAR1021 Introduction to paramedic research and evidence
- PAR1022 Health and disease across the life span
- PAR1031 Professionalism in paramedic practice
- PAR1032 Paramedicine in the Australian health care system
Paramedicine studies (108 points)
You must complete:
- PAR1011 Foundations of paramedic practice 1
- PAR1012 Foundations of paramedic practice 2
- PAR2011 Paramedic advanced life support
- PAR2012 Paramedic management of respiratory conditions
- PAR2020 Foundation clinical practice (12 points)
- PAR2021 Paramedic management of cardiovascular conditions
- PAR2022 Paramedic management of trauma
- PAR2031 Pharmacotherapy in paramedic practice
- PAR2032 Paramedic management of mental health conditions
- PAR3011 Paramedic management of medical conditions
- PAR3012 Extended paramedic care
- PAR3021 Paramedic emergency management
- PAR3022 Clinical education and leadership in paramedic research and practice
- PAR3033 Integrated clinical practice (12 points)
- PAR3031 Paramedic management of maternal and neonatal health
- PAR3032 Paramedic management of acute conditions effecting special populations
