Graduate Diploma of Paramedicine

Course Code: NN4
Coordinator: Mr Allistair McCoy

Course Overview

The Graduate Diploma of Paramedicine is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and values to be competent for entry into practice as Graduate Ambulance Paramedics.

The course aims to provide students with the appropriate knowledge, skills and values to be effective in providing paramedical patient care in 'out of hospital' settings to patients who are suffering a health crisis whether traumatic, medical, surgical and/or psychological.

The course focuses on four themes for knowledge and skill development:

Clinical Paramedicine;
Clinical Diagnostics in Paramedicine;
Community, Paramedic Culture and Practice; and
Paramedic Internship.

Each theme is initiated at the beginning of the course and subsequently developed throughout the units to progressively build student knowledge, skill and understanding of each theme. The paramedic internship units additionally provide students with the opportunity to consolidate learning across the themes and relate the learning to their future role as a parademic.

Course Objectives

The objectives of the course are to:

Identify and manage the physical, psychological and psychosocial needs of a patient undergoing paramedical assessment, treatment and/or transport.
Examine current developments in pre-hospital paramedical practice and their implications for paramedics;
Provide the student with professional skills, techniques and knowledge for safe, efficient and effective operation of medical equipment, technology and procedures in a paramedical environment;
Prepare the student to function effectively and safely as health team members in out of hospital and medical environments;
Apply biopsychosocial processes relevant to paramedic practice;
Develop the use of problem solving techniques in the planning and implementtion of paramedical care;
Be able to enhance and apply the student's written and oral communication skills within a paramedic context;
Show an awareness of the moral, ethical, legal, social, economic and political implications of providing paramedic practice.

Course Structure

The course consists of eight (8), 15 credit point units of study, two of which are clinical placement units which are undertaken in an operational vehicle. The units are:

Unit Code	Unit Name	Credit Points
NN441	Clinical Paramedicine 1	15
NN442	Paramedic Clinical Diagnostics	15
NN443	Community, Paramedic Culture and Practice 1	15
NN444	Paramedic Internship 1	15
NN445	Clinical Paramedicine 2	15
NN446	Paramedic Clinical Diagnostics 2	15
NN447	Community, Paramedic Culture and Practice 2	15
NN448	Paramedic Internship 2	15
	TOTAL CREDIT POINTS FOR GDP PROGRAM	120

Duration

One year of full time study or part-time equivalent.

Mode

Flexible delivery in combination of on-campus blocks with clinical learning and online experiences.

Credit Points

120

Professional Recognition

Graduands of the course will be recognised as eligible candidates for position of Graduate Entry Paramedic with the Victorian Ambulance Services.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Students may apply for credit where they can demonstrate prior study or life experiences are duplicate to unit objectives and content. Applications require detailed descriptions of prior learning and must be accompanied by documentary evidence. Students will not be able to receive more than 50% advanced standing/credit in the course.

Applications for exemptions should be lodged with the Course Coordinator at the time of application for admission to the course. Any exemption given prior to enrolment will be provisional and subject to confirmation by the Courses Committee. Eligibility for exemption does not guarantee a place in the course in which that credit would be available.

Award Entitlements

On successful completion students will be awarded a Graduate Diploma of Paramedicine.

Admission Requirements

1. Professional

Applicants must hold a recognised undergraduate degree in a relevant clinical health sciences discipline and have recent clinical experience. Applicants who do not hold tertiary qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.

Prior to acceptance, applicants must provide evidence of a comprehensive understanding of:

Basic Life Support;
Basic Health Assessment;
Basic ECG Interpretation; and
Basic use and theory of portable testing devises and medication devices.

The above prerequisites can be demonstrated via a challenge examination or by completing the School of Nursing two-day non-award Introductory Paramedic course where the level will be clearly stated to enable students to revise as appropriate prior to commencement of the on-campus blocks.

2. Regulatory

It is a requirement of the course that students undertake clinical placements through both Rural and Metropolitan Ambulance Services. These Services expect students to be both medically and physically fit for placement on operational vehicles. Therefore, applicants will be required to undertake comprehensive medical and physical assessments by the Service's approved provider (refer to Note 1 for further information).

3. Department of Human Services (DHS)

Police Record Check. This requirement is in line with the Australian Department of Human Services Policy Standard which outlines the Department's duty of care to vulnerable clients, stating that "all staff and others involved in direct client or patient contact … this includes caregivers, volunteers, casuals, students and contractors" (1998, p.1) will be subject to a Police Records Check from the Victorian Police.

4. English Proficiency

International students must pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic test: An overall band score of 7, with no sub-score lower than 6.5.

Preference for admission into the course will be given to Division 1 nurses with current clinical experience and to paramedics who wish to undertake further study for the purpose of re-entry into paramedicine. Selection for other applicants will be based on a case by case basis.

*Special Notes

Note 1
Applicants will be required to undertake medical and physical fitness assessments prior to enrolment into program. Details can be provided as required.

Applicants are advised that the University of Ballarat does not discriminate against students with medical or physical disabilities. However, students must be aware that to be placed with Rural and Metropolitan Ambulance Services, they must be deemed to be medically and physically fit. Students unable to meet the required medical and fitness assessments will be placed with other relevant agencies to meet the course requirements of the Paramedic Internship.