CQUniversity Unit Profile
PMSC13001 Mental Health for Paramedics
Mental Health for Paramedics
All details in this unit profile for PMSC13001 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

Within your role as a paramedic you will encounter consumers experiencing many differing forms of mental health challenge which affect their presentation and recovery. During this unit you will develop communication skills (including the ability to actively listen to consumer and family story), recognise alterations in mental health and gain knowledge of therapeutic options and referral pathways available to assist consumers.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-Requisites PMSC12002 Clinical Paramedic Practice 1 PMSC12001 Procedures and Skills in Paramedic Care

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 1 - 2021

Mixed Mode

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).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 50%
2. On-campus Activity
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Have your say

Feedback

Students enjoyed the authenticity and relevance of this unit.

Recommendation

Maintain unit content to reflect authentic paramedic practice relevant to mental health.

Feedback from Have your say

Feedback

Students were disappointed in the clarity of the assessment task

Recommendation

The written assignment piece was new this term and was sent out to the paramedic team prior to posting it on the moodle page. It has been identified that the assignment needed to be written clearer and be more specific, so students could understand clearly what was being asked of them. The marking rubric will also be adjusted to allow for better further clarification and understanding of what is required of the students for the written task.

Feedback from Have your say

Feedback

PowerPoint presentations and other resource material felt thrown together.

Recommendation

The unit had a restructure to allow for industry related topics to be added. There was a lot of research put into every topic in the Moodle page along with several different learning tools i.e journal articles, YouTube videos, past student interviews, PowerPoint slides and videos to try and cater for all types of learners. Consideration will be taken to adjust some of these resources.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Assess, compare and contrast different presentations of consumers experiencing mental health challenges
  2. Plan and deliver a range of therapeutic options (using an individual and cultural specific context) to assist a person who may be experiencing mental health challenges
  3. Apply mental health related legislation within the context of paramedicine
  4. Apply the principles of interpersonal communication and professional behaviours to the standards expected of a paramedic.

N/A

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Written Assessment - 50%
2 - On-campus Activity - 0%
3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
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

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 50%
2 - On-campus Activity - 0%
3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Mental Health Care: An Introduction for Health Professionals in Australia

Edition: 4th edn (2020)
Authors: Catherine Hungerford, Donna Hodgson, Richard Clancy, Gillian Murphy, Aunty Kerrie Doyle
Wiley Australia
Milton Milton , Queensland , Australia
ISBN: 9780730382928
Binding: Paperback
Prescribed

Pocket Book of Mental Health

Edition: 3rd (2018)
Authors: Muir-Cochrane, E, Barkway, E, Nizette, D
Elsevier Australia
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780729542852
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Copies of both texts can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

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.

Teaching Contacts
Joelene Gott Unit Coordinator
j.gott@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Introduction to Mental Health and The Recovery Based Framework

Chapter

Pocketbook of Mental Health 3rd Edition – Ch 1, pages 1-5 & Ch 2 pages 8-18

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web-based resources.
Pre-Recorded lectures.

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Introduction to Legal & Ethical Issues

Chapter

Pocketbook of Mental Health 3rd Edition – Ch 13, pages 130-137

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web-based resources.
Pre-Recorded lectures.

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Mental Status Assessment & Mental Status Exam

Chapter

Pocketbook of Mental Health 3rd Edition – Ch 5, pages 47-60

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web-based resources.
Pre-Recorded lectures.

Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Common Mental Health Disorders & Medications – Part 1

Chapter

Pocketbook of Mental Health 3rd Edition – Ch 4, pages 29-40 & Ch 9, pages 85-102

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web-based resources.
Pre-Recorded lectures.

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Common Mental Health Disorders & Medications – Part 2

Chapter

Pocketbook of Mental Health 3rd Edition – Ch 4, pages 29-40 & Ch 9, pages 85-102

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web-based resources.
Pre-Recorded lectures.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Acute Behavioural Disorders – Part 1

Chapter

Pocketbook of Mental Health 3rd Edition – Ch 4, pages 40-44

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web-based resources.
Pre-Recorded lectures.

Week 7 Begin Date: 26 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Acute Behavioural Disorders – Part 2

Chapter

Pocketbook of Mental Health 3rd Edition – Ch 4, pages 40-44

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web-based resources.
Pre-Recorded lectures.


Week 8 Begin Date: 03 May 2021

Module/Topic

Strategies for De-Escalation

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web-based resources.
Pre-Recorded lectures.
Quiz Opens 3rd May @ 0800

Week 9 Begin Date: 10 May 2021

Module/Topic

Management Pathways

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web-based resources.
Pre-Recorded lectures.
Quiz Closes 10 May @ 0800


Quiz Due: Week 9 Monday (10 May 2021) 8:00 am AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 17 May 2021

Module/Topic

Residential School

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

OSCEs due while at Residential School


On Campus Assessments Due: Week 10 Friday (21 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 24 May 2021

Module/Topic

Surviving your profession – looking after yourself

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web-based resources.
Pre-Recorded lectures.


Week 12 Begin Date: 31 May 2021

Module/Topic

Revision

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Written Assessment due 31st May @ 0800


Written Assessment Due: Week 12 Monday (31 May 2021) 8:00 am AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Students must nominate their preferred compulsory residential school  location and time through MyCQU, under My Timetable in the My Units tab.  Numbers at residential schools are capped and a position at the preferred residential school is not guaranteed. Geographical proximity to and/or previous attendance at a residential school location does not guarantee placement at your preferred residential school location

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Quiz

Task Description

The quiz may consist of multiple choice questions, True/False, Sequence questions and/or Short Answer questions, exploring content included in the unit (such as but not limited to, lecture materials, online modules, required readings).


Content for the quizzes is based on previous weeks’ topics (as detailed in the schedule).


Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Monday (10 May 2021) 8:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Assessments will be returned as soon as possible to students


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Students must achieve a pass mark equal to or greater than 50% on the quiz. Failure to achieve a minimum of 50% in will result in a fail for this assessment item. Marks are awarded if a question is answered correctly and non-attempts will score a zero mark.


Quizzes are open-book, so the use of Clinical Practice Guidelines, book chapters and journal articles etc. are allowed. Please take note that this is an individual assessment. Collaboration is not allowed and may lead to disciplinary action.


The quiz will have a specific time limit imposed to complete the quiz.


In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the task after the due date, and there will be no opportunity to apply a late penalty of five percent per day. The quiz may not be re-attempted.


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Plan and deliver a range of therapeutic options (using an individual and cultural specific context) to assist a person who may be experiencing mental health challenges
  • Apply mental health related legislation within the context of paramedicine


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work

2 On-campus Activity

Assessment Title
On Campus Assessments

Task Description

For this assessment, students will be required to attend a compulsory residential school. This assessment task will consist of Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and a Voice Viva which will take place during the residential school. The format of the OSCE will be CME (Case Management Exercise), which relates to the learning outcomes of this unit.


There will be two (2) assessment tasks, which are designed to assess the knowledge and practical skills acquired during this unit.
Students will be allocated 20 minutes for the CME and 10 minutes for the Voice Viva to complete the task.


Both the CME and the Voice Viva will be looking at any / all of the following areas:
· Patient assessment and history taking
· Evidence gathering and patient treatment
· Implementation of interventions, procedures, and skills
· Overall patient and scene management
· MSE


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (21 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Assessments will be returned as soon as possible to students


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

This practical assessment is a pass/fail assessment. Students must achieve a pass mark equal to or greater than 50% for the OSCE and Voice Viva in order to pass this assessment. Failure to achieve this will result in a failure of residential school.
If you fail to achieve at minimum of 50% in one of the assessment items you will be given the opportunity for a resit, however if you fail to achieve a minimum of 50% for both assessment items you fail the residential school.


There will be varied scoring tools used based on the type of assessment. The scoring tools for each assessment are validated and reliable. Scoring tools will be available to students via the Moodle page at the commencement of term.
During these assessments, if there are any errors performed which would cause immediate harm to yourself, partner, patient, or bystanders this will result in a critical error being recorded.


Critical errors in this unit will be classed as anything, by act or omission, that causes immediate harm or has 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 continue and be moderator by the unit coordinator. Furthermore, any critical error discovered on review or moderation will also result in no marks being given for that assessment.


Unsafe defibrillation
Incorrect joule delivered to the patient
Defibrillation of a non-shockable rhythm
Failure to recognise a cardiac arrest within 1 minute
Failure to defibrillate a shockable rhythm within 2 minutes
Failure to perform a complete drug check
Incorrect sharps disposal or unsafe practice with a sharp
Performing a skill or procedure outside the scope of practice taught to you in PMSC12001, PMSC12004 or PMSC13001


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Assess, compare and contrast different presentations of consumers experiencing mental health challenges
  • Plan and deliver a range of therapeutic options (using an individual and cultural specific context) to assist a person who may be experiencing mental health challenges
  • Apply mental health related legislation within the context of paramedicine
  • Apply the principles of interpersonal communication and professional behaviours to the standards expected of a paramedic.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Ethical practice

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment

Task Description

For this assessment item you are required to write a 2000 – word assignment that answers a series of questions based on a Mental Health Case Study. The case study will be made available on the moodle assessment page.


Assessment Format
· Cover Page
· Contents Page
· Body of Assessment
· References and Reference List


Cover Page must Include
· Name of Assessment
· Unit Name & Number
· Student Name & Number
· Unit Coordinator
· Word Count (excluding references)


Format
· Page numbers, excluding cover page
· Header OR footer with student name & number
· Font – Must all be ONE size, no smaller that 11.5
· Line spacing 1.5
· Writing should be justified (ctrl+j)
· Word Count – 2000 word (+/- 10%)
· Your essay must be submitted as a Word document
· Reference List must be as per APA reference guidelines and must be on a separate page


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Monday (31 May 2021) 8:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Assessments will be returned as soon as possible to students


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

The assignment should be of a high academic standard in line with the professional standards and in line with a higher education submission. The emphasis should be on the use of credible, recent and scholarly journal articles. Papers will be marked in line with the rubric, which will be posted on the Moodle page at the start of term. All assignments must be put through Turnitin. The word count for the assignment is 2000 words ( + / - 10%) excluding references.


A marking rubric will be provided on the Moodle page at the start of term.
Please note that you should select and use at least SIX (6) recent peer-reviewed scientific journal articles on your topic. These articles should be dated after 2011. You may also use expert textbooks and websites, however, please note that you are not to use your prescribed textbook or lectures from this unit and references from the website http://www.wikipedia.org will not be accepted. In this assessment, you are required to demonstrate and develop your research skills.


Late submissions will receive a 5% deduction per day on the overall mark if an extension has not been granted.
Your assignment MUST be in your own words and must be completed individually and you should not collaborate with any other student. It is expected that you are to include AT LEAST 10 references in total.


You must achieve a pass mark of 50% in order to pass this assessment.


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Assess, compare and contrast different presentations of consumers experiencing mental health challenges
  • Apply the principles of interpersonal communication and professional behaviours to the standards expected of a paramedic.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Team Work
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

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?