Overview
This unit is the first of three (3) clinical placement units within the Bachelor of Paramedic Science course, with a maximum of five (5) weeks clinical placement in a clinical setting with an approved provider. You will apply clinical knowledge, reasoning and practical skills at a novice level in the clinical environment, whilst engaging in reflective practice activities to support self-directed learning. Preparation activities will increase workplace literacy and provide guidance on navigating the student-mentor relationship, ensuring you enjoy a positive and successful first clinical placement.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite:PMSC11004 Paramedic Medical Emergencies 1PMSC12001 Procedures and Skills in Paramedic Care. Please note: Any student who has not successfully completed a PMSC residential school within the preceding 12 months or undertaken a clinical placement unit, must complete a PMSC12001 Procedures & Skills refresher. This ensures currency with all contemporary skills and procedures in line with industry standards and professional capabilities
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2023
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE
In terms of the reflection during placement, I think a fairer grading method would be useful as it is not representative of progress that can be made within 4 shifts of placement if that's the first 2 weeks for example. A 3 and a 4 for the mentor reports means they think you essentially have no need for improvement. A 2 rating would be fair as someone progressing well. However it is deemed at risk. I think some thought should go into how this is perceived with the mentors of QAS and how accurate this is at representing the student and perhaps a mandatory further detailed response from mentors would be useful in conjunction rather than just the extra comments or feedback. It could be specific to the areas they are marking.
Have changed the existing 4-point Likert to a 5-point Likert approach as well as a descriptor to assist the student and mentor understand what impact the score provides. This is to minimise confusion and avoid unnecessary negative scores by either the student or the mentor.
Feedback from SUTE & Emails
The portfolio was useful to consolidate information and skills utilised during prac however the quiz did not seem useful or necessary. The information received prior to prac and expectations was clearly outlined.
2023 offering to have the quiz removed as frequent feedback from students identified that they did not feel that the quiz offered any value.
Feedback from SUTE
Have a PowerPoint dedicated to the policy and code of conduct so that students are clear on what is right and wrong. As being told that placements are cancelled for a mistake made, 4 shifts before finishing placements is very upsetting even whilst showing remorse and disappointment in myself.
2023 offering to have a pre-term compulsory activity that will focus on Code and Conduct, patient privacy and social media. This activity will need to be completed by the student prior to the modules of the unit being made visible to the student.
- Apply clinical reasoning and practical skills at a novice level whilst working within a collaborative clinical setting with allied health professionals
- Employ reflective practice principles associated with clinical reasoning and conduct whilst supporting diverse client groups in the health care setting
- Discuss legal responsibilities and requirements, ethical and professional responsibilities and the legal and ethical boundaries of paramedicine practice.
It is a requirement of the Paramedicine Board of Australia that units align with the AHPRA professional capabilities for registered paramedics. These are broken down into five (5) domains. Below aligns the learning outcomes with these domains. In addition, the learning outcomes have also been aligned with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.
Professional Capabilities for a Registered Paramedic
The Paramedicine Board of Australia is responsible for assessing, consulting on and setting the standards for paramedics practicing in Australia. These standards and relevant domains are articulated in the Professional capabilities for registered paramedics document. The learning outcomes of this unit are matched to the relevant capabilities.
| Standard/Attribute/Criteria | Learning Outcomes |
| Domain 1: The professional; and ethical practitioner - 1.1.2, 1.1.4, 1.1.5, 1.1.8, 1.1.9, 1.1.10, 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.2.4, 1.2.7, 1.2.8, 1.2.9, 1.2.10, 1.3.1, 1.4.1 and 1.4.2 | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
| Domain 2: The communicator and the collaborator - 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.1.5, 2.1.6, 2.1.7 and 2.2.1. | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
| Domain 3: The evidence-based practitioner - 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.2.5, 3.2.6, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.4.2, 3.4.3, 3.4.4 and 3.4.5. | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
| Domain 4: The safety and risk management practitioner - 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.4, 4.3.1, 4.3.3, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4, 4.5.2, 4.6.5, 4.6.6, 4.7.2 and 4.7.4. | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
Domain 5: The paramedicine practitioner - 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3, 5.1.4, 5.1.5, 5.2.2, 5.2.4, 5.3.1, 5.3.5, 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.4.3, 5.4.4, 5.4.6, 5.6.1, 5.6.2, 5.6.3 and 5.6.4. |
LO1, LO2, LO3 |
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality Health Care Standards developed in this unit are:
| Standard | Learning Outcomes |
| Partnering and Consumers | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
| Preventing and Controlling infections | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
| Medication safety | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
| Comprehensive care | LO1, LO2, LO3 |
| Communicating for Safety | LO1, LO2 |
| Recognising and responding to Acute Deterioration | LO1, LO2 |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 0% | |||
| 2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Sonia Online
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
r.mceachern@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction
Module 1 - Communication on placement
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Introductory zoom session.
Module/Topic
Module 1 - Communication on placement
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 2 - Cultural Safety
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Pre-placement zoom session
Module/Topic
Module 3 - Social media, professionalism & ethics
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 1 of clinical placement.
Module/Topic
Module 4 - Reflective practice
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2 of clinical placement.
Mid placement zoom session.
Module/Topic
Break week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3 of clinical placement.
Interim Clinical Supervisor Assessment Due Monday (14.08.23).
Module/Topic
Module 4 - Reflective practice continued
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4 of clinical placement.
Module/Topic
Module 5 - Injury prevention and occupational safety
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Final week of clinical placement.
Zoom assessment and catchup session.
Module/Topic
Module 6 - AHPRA professional capabilities for registered paramedics
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Clinical Supervisor Assessment Report Due Monday (04.09.23).
Clinical Supervisor Assessment Report Due: Week 8 Monday (4 Sept 2023) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Module 7 - Vulnerable clients
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Module 8 - Legislation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Portfolio Due Monday 18.09.23.
Placement Portfolio Due: Week 10 Monday (18 Sept 2023) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Professional Practice Placement
The clinical supervisor assessment has two components reflecting the Interim (Formative) assessment and the Final (Summative) assessment. The formative assessment report is to be submitted mid placement to assist with student tracking, and the summative report to be submitted at the end of clinical placement. The final result of this assessment item is dependent upon the final summative report results.
The assessment report will be marked in accordance with the marking rubric found in Moodle, including the following topics:
- Professional capabilities for registered paramedics;
- Professionalism;
- Skills log;
- Case type log; and
- Assessment submission and forwarding to clinical supervisor.
Week 8 Monday (4 Sept 2023) 9:00 am AEST
Final clinical supervisor assessment report due on the Monday following the last week of clinical placement.
To successfully pass this assessment element, the following are important to acknowledge:
Professional capabilities for registered paramedics: Obtains 3’s or 4’s, in all questions across all Domains in the Final (Summative) Report.
Professionalism: Obtains 3’s or 4’s, in all questions in the Final (Summative) report.
Skills log: Accurately completes Skills log based on clinical activity
Case type log: Accurately completes the Case log based on clinical activity
To receive an overall pass for this assessment, the student must achieve a pass in all of the listed criteria above.
- Apply clinical reasoning and practical skills at a novice level whilst working within a collaborative clinical setting with allied health professionals
- Employ reflective practice principles associated with clinical reasoning and conduct whilst supporting diverse client groups in the health care setting
- Discuss legal responsibilities and requirements, ethical and professional responsibilities and the legal and ethical boundaries of paramedicine practice.
2 Portfolio
This unit is divided into three main phases: pre-placement preparation, the 5 weeks of clinical placement, and post-placement review. The activities of this assessment task span all three phases, and are designed to lead you confidently through your first paramedic clinical placement.
- The pre-placement activities ensure adequate preparation for all aspects of clinical placement, adequate completion of the placement portfolio and establish performance goals and expectations. You will learn about the concept of reflective practice for paramedics, and through a process of self-assessment and planning will begin to proactively manage your own clinical learning and development.
- During your 5 weeks of clinical placement you will be performing assessment and assisting with treatment of patients, and during downtime complete a placement portfolio. The portfolio is designed to complement your professional experience by leading you through self-review tasks.
- Finally, on completion of your placement, you will review your overall clinical development and placement outcomes this term. This involves reviewing the experiences and achievements that you have gained and identifying what you must continue working on to adequately prepare for your second clinical placement unit.
Week 10 Monday (18 Sept 2023) 9:00 am AEST
Portfolios are due for submission two weeks after the completion of your clinical placement.
To pass the Placement Portfolio assessment you must complete your portfolio to the given instructions and including:
- Pre and post placement self assessments
- Reflective practice task
- 2 x Clinical Case Reviews
You must submit and pass all components of this assessment to pass the unit. This is a pass/fail assessment.
Referencing: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition) - Intext referencing to be included for pathophysiology sections of the Clinical Case Reviews.
Format: The Portfolio must be in either Word or PDF format, and uploaded directly to Moodle
Submission: Late submissions without an approved extension may incur a fail grade. One re-submission may be permitted as per discretion of the Unit Coordinator.
- Apply clinical reasoning and practical skills at a novice level whilst working within a collaborative clinical setting with allied health professionals
- Employ reflective practice principles associated with clinical reasoning and conduct whilst supporting diverse client groups in the health care setting
- Discuss legal responsibilities and requirements, ethical and professional responsibilities and the legal and ethical boundaries of paramedicine practice.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
