12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit
Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
This unit will see students transition along the continuum from observer to practitioner in clinical emergency out-of-hospital settings and hospital settings with placements at agencies relevant to year two units of study. Through these placements students will have the opportunity to practice and develop their clinical and communication skills in the assessment and management of patients whilst under the supervision of approved and experienced practitioners.
This unit will build on a model of paramedic clinical competence developed in prerequisite units, and will provide the context to support the development of knowledge and skills necessary for effective patient focused care. It will also emphasis self-care and reflection of self and others that will challenge the student to consider all aspects of paramedic practice.
Finally, weekly tutorials/workshops will provide students an opportunity to discuss and examine societal issues such as drug/alcohol abuse, homelessness, mental health and family violence and how these intersect and impact patient health and well-being. They will also participate in regular clinical placement debriefing sessions and explore how prejudices can impact their behaviour and patient care.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Apply foundation clinical and communication skills in the assessment and management of patients under supervision.
- Explore the concept of patient focused care and the biopsychosocial determinants of health.
- Develop reflective practices in order to identify strength and weaknesses in practice.
- Explore issues such as drug/alcohol abuse, homelessness, mental health and family violence and how these intersect and impact patient health and well-being.
- Complete a mental health first aid course.
- Complete an intimate partner violence course.
- Recognise and examine how personal prejudices and those of others, can impact patient care and outcomes.
- Identify issues associated with self-care and examine and implement strategies to ensure this is prioritised.
- Conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner as members of a health care team with other health care providers, emergency workers, bystanders and patients.
Fieldwork
Paramedic clinical placement (14 shifts; 140 hours)Hospital clinical placements (8 shifts; 64 hours)
Assessment
- PACTS Intimate partner violence course (6 hours) (Pass/Fail)
- Mental health first aid course (12 hours) (Pass/Fail)
- Reflective case report (1000 words) (Pass/Fail)
- Tutorial/workshop attendance; 80% attendance (Pass/Fail) (Hurdle)
- Clinical placements; 14 x Paramedic, 8 x Hospital (Pass/Fail) (Hurdle)
- Clinical placement log books (Pass/Fail) (Hurdle)
A pass grade must be achieved on all assessment tasks