This unit introduces you to clinical practice through your first supervised placements in both non-ambulance and ambulance settings. You will begin applying foundational paramedicine knowledge and skills in authentic healthcare environments while developing confidence, professionalism, and reflective capacity. The initial placement is within a diverse (non-ambulance) healthcare setting such as an aged-care facility, providing interprofessional education. This placement will be a minimum of 70 hours, rostered across two weeks with a placement provider local to you, where possible. You will work alongside and learn from other health professionals and patients in non-emergency contexts, building skills in teamwork, communication, and person-centred care that will support future clinical practice within the ambulance and collaborative care settings. The second minimum 150-hour placement rostered across four weeks with an ambulance service, extends your learning into the prehospital environment, where you will observe and participate in emergency care under direct paramedic supervision. Across both settings, you will engage in guided reflection and feedback to support clinical reasoning, self-awareness, and ongoing professional growth. Preparation and support activities before and during placement develop workplace literacy and support your student-mentor relationship, ensuring you enjoy a positive and successful first clinical placement unit.

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 data.

A disconnect between unit intent and student expectations in a clinical placement unit.

Acknowledging that this unit will undergo further change for the 2026 offering, ensure students understand that clinical placement units also address relevant professional capabilities in addition to facilitating clinical placement opportunities.