The safe and competent performance of medical and procedures and skills forms a core aspect of paramedic practice, and as such all qualified Paramedics need to be assessed on a regular basis to ensure continued excellent standards of practice.  This assessment will be conducted using a variety of platforms, including (but not limited to) general observation, one-on-one discussion and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).

Attendance at the Laboratory Sessions or Residential school is compulsory. Inability to attend must be discussed as soon a possible with your lecturer BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TIME with alternate arrangements being made. Please note that appropriate documentation will need to be provided.

You will be required to demonstrate your theoretical knowledge and practical abilities for each skill and procedure addressed in this course. This will be conducted on a number of varying platforms, such as general observation, one on one demonstration and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE's). The practical assessment consists of a random selection of the skills covered throughout the unit that the student must achieve a Pass Mark for every skill attempted to pass the subject.

Critical errors in this unit will be classed as anything, by act or omission, that causes immediate harm or the potential to cause harm, to yourself, partner, patient or bystanders or any procedure that is performed outside your scope of practice. During any form of assessment, if any of the following are witnessed the assessment will immediately cease, and no marks will be given for that assessment. Furthermore, any critical error discovered on review or moderation will also result in no marks being given for that particular assessment:

· Unsafe defibrillation

· Incorrect joules delivered during defibrillation

· Defibrillation of a non-shockable rhythm

· Failure to recognise a cardiac arrest (>1minute)

· Failure to shock a shockable rhythm in a timely manner (<2 minutes)

· Failure to perform a complete drug check

· Incorrect sharps disposal or unsafe practice with a sharp

· Performing a skill or procedure or administering a drug outside your scope of practice

· Any grossly unsafe practice, as determined by the assessing academic.

If you do not understand any of the above, please do not hesitate to clarify with your unit coordinator.

Preamble: Pre-hospital care in Australia is a dynamic and constantly evolving environment. With the introduction of new technology and emerging research, the way we assess and treat our patients will also evolve and change.

Rationale: Pre-hospital care is becoming more and more, an evidence based profession, all new skills and procedures should therefore be based on evidence. As a health care professional we need to deliver best practice for all our patients and remain current in our clinical practice.

Details:

You are to investigate and report on a skill or procedure in patient assessment or management that is currently taught or utilised in PMSC12001. You will deliver your findings as a scientific poster presentation.

Objectives:

Research a skill or procedure taught or utilised in PMSC12001.

Using evidence based data:

• Provide a Discussion of the procedure/skill: Provide an overview and discuss its relevance to paramedic practice as well as the benefits it provides (supporting evidence is required).
• CPP breakdown: Explain why it has the current CONTRAINDICATIONS and PRECAUTIONS, or why it has none.
• Comparison: Compare and contrast previous procedures/skills that were used prior to the application of the chosen skill.
• Future: Research what new procedures are on the horizon that may be adopted by the Ambulance service (including a brief overview of how it works and its benefits). If you are unable to find a new and improved version, then you are required to suggest improvements for the current skill/procedure.

Word Count:

1000Words (+\- 10%)

Results for this assessment will be based on the following criteria:

Poster Setup: Professional presentation of the scientific poster in terms of organised layout (e.g. flow and use of headings), use of visual aspects (images/diagrams and readability).  Maximum Score 3

Discussion: Demonstrated an appropriate overview of the skill, utilising contemporary evidence to support or justify arguments made.  Maximum Score 10

CPP Breakdown: All required aspects of the CPP were addressed with correct and relevant content. Explanations provided were appropriate with the utilisation of evidence to support them.  Maximum Score 10 

Comparison: Appropriate examples of past skills provide with an appropriate overview of its benefits and limitations.  Maximum Score 10

Future: Appropriate choice of future skill with an adequate overview or Appropriate outline of possible improvements. Maximum Score 10

Structure: Demonstrated an appropriate format and structure that is engaging and easy to read. Presented the information in a logical sequence with an appropriate flow of information. Demonstrated appropriate grammar and spelling.  Maximum Score: 3

References and Referencing: Utilised an appropriate number of high quality references. Included predominantly peer-reviewed scientific articles including sentinel articles, high levels of evidence or quality studies and articles that were appropriate for the topic. Utilised the APA referencing style with appropriate and correctly formatted in-text referencing and reference list.  Maximum Score: 4

TOTAL SCORE: 50

Clinical Practice Discussion Forum

You are required to participate in three (3) different Module Clinical Practice Discussion (CPD) forums throughout the unit that correspond with selected topics within each respective Module. A new topic of discussion will be presented every Monday and will close two weeks later on the Sunday night at 11:55 pm.

• Forum One: Opens Monday Week Two 18/03/ 9am (closes 31/03)
  
• Forum Two: Opens Monday Week Six 22/04 9am (closes 05/05)
  
• Forum Three: Opens Monday Week Nine 13/05 9am (closes 26/05)
  

The CPD forums will utilise the ‘Verso’ education software platform and involve the entire class as well as smaller groups at times. Teaching staff will act as moderators for the CPD forums however the emphasis of these forums centers around student engagement and interaction as well as student-led constructive and contemporary contribution.

CPD One and Two will be worth 15% each with CPD Three set at 20% and will be based on the following criteria:

Word Count: 300 (+/-10%) for each CPD

Interactivity and Professionalism

Demonstrated prompt and appropriate interaction with the posed question. Demonstrated proficiency and professionalism in ability to address questions or challenges posed by other participants in the forum. Utilised language and dialogue that is expected and appropriate for the health profession. Maximum Score: 4 (Maximum score in CPD Three will be: 5)

Engagement and Contribution to Dialogue Demonstrated engagement with the forum and positively contributed to the discussions by addressing or posing questions, challenging ideas, stimulated ongoing relevant conversation and added real value to the discussions. Actively improved the learning outcomes for other students as a result of the contributions. Maximum Score: 3 (Maximum score in CPD Three will be: 5)

Demonstrated appropriate language, descriptions, structure, references and referencing for the forum posts. Utilised contemporary evidence or teachings in the responses with clear links to clinical or practical implementation. Identified gaps in the evidence to support current clinical practice and/or discuss novel approaches and ideas based on contemporary evidence or clinical practice. Maximum Score: 8 (Maximum score in CPD Three will be: 10)