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 challenges that affect their presentation and recovery. During this unit, you will develop communication skills (including the ability to actively listen to consumer and family stories), recognise alterations in mental health as well as 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 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 1 - 2023

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. Case Study
Weighting: 60%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
3. On-campus Activity
Weighting: Pass/Fail

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 Student Evaluation Data

Feedback

Significant student feedback reported that expectations were unclear for the written task, and marking was inconsistent.

Recommendation

The written task shall be completely redesigned for 2023. Assessment criteria shall be clearly explained, and a reliable validated rubric shall be developed with collaboration from Learning and Teaching staff.

Feedback from Student Evaluation Data and verbal student feedback.

Feedback

The scenario simulation videos were well received by students who enjoyed the real-life demonstrations and found they greatly enhanced the content. Several students made contact to say they experienced similar cases whilst on clinical placement and felt confident in handling the situation.

Recommendation

Continue creating more content of this nature and expanding the repertoire of examples.

Feedback from Student Evaluation Data

Feedback

Students enjoyed using actors at their residential schools as it improved their real-world experience.

Recommendation

This unit has utilised actors, props, and moulage to deliver high-fidelity mental health scenarios for several years. The aim will be to continue high-fidelity residential experiences to prepare students to meet industry standards and expectations.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Assess, compare and treat different presentations of consumers experiencing mental health challenges
  2. Plan and deliver a range of evidence-based therapeutic options (using an individual and culturally specific context) to assist consumers experiencing mental health challenges
  3. Evaluate and explain mental health related legislation within the context of paramedicine
  4. Engage in interpersonal communication, ethical, and professional behaviours while collaborating with multiple agencies to the standards expected of a paramedic.

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 proposed 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 the unit are matched to the relevant capabilities

Standard/Attribute/Criteria Learning Outcome
Domain 1: The professional and ethical practitioner 1.1.1, 1.1.3, 1.1.5, 1.1.6, 1.1.8, 1.1.9, 1.1.10, 1.1.11 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.2.5 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.4.1, 1.4.2 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Domain 2: The communicator and collaborator 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.1.5, 2.1.6, 2.1.7, 2.1.82.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.6 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Domain 3: The evidence-based practitioner 3.1.1, 3.1.2 3.2.1 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.2.5, 3.2.63.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.3 3.4.3 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
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, 4.2.3, 4.2.4 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3 4.4.4 4.5.2, 4.5.3 4.6.5 4.7.7, 4.7.9 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Domain 5: The paramedicine practitioner 5.1.2, 5.1.3, 5.1.4, 5.1.5 5.2.15.2.2, 5.2.3, 5.2.4, 5.2.5 5.3.1, 5.3.3, 5.3.4, 5.3.5, 5.3.6 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.4.3, 5.4.5, 5.4.6 5.6.1, 5.6.2, 5.6.3, 5.6.4 LO1, LO2, LO3
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Standards developed in this unit are:

Standard Learning Outcomes
Partnering with Consumers LO2, LO3, LO4
Preventing and Controlling Infections LO1, LO2
Medication Safety LO1, LO2
Comprehensive Care LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Communicating for Safety LO1, LO2, LO4
Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration LO1, LO2

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 - Case Study - 60%
2 - On-campus Activity - 0%
3 - Written Assessment - 40%

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
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Mental Health Care: An Introduction for Health Professionals in Australia

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

Pocket Book of Mental Health

Edition: 4th (2021)
Authors: Debra O’Kane
Elsevier
Sydeny Sydeny , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780729544030
Binding: Paperback

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: 06 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Introduction to Mental Health & Mental Illness

Chapter

Pocket Book of Mental Health 4th Edition - Chapters 1 & 2

Mental Health Care (Hungerford, Hodgson, Clancy, Murphy & Doyle) 4th Edition - Chapter 1.4 & 1.5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Common Mental Health Call outs 1

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Suicidality
  • Self-harm

Chapter

Pocket Book of Mental Health 4th Edition - Chapters 4 & 9

Mental Health Care (Hungerford, Hodgson, Clancy, Murphy & Doyle) 4th Edition - Chapter 7 & 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Common Mental Health Call Outs 2

  • Bipolar
  • Schizophrenia
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Addiction

Chapter

Pocket Book of Mental Health 3rd Edition - Chapters 4 & 9

Mental Health Care (Hungerford, Hodgson, Clancy, Murphy & Doyle) 4th Edition - Chapter 9 & 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Common Mental Health Call Outs 3

  • Acute Behavioral Disturbances (ABD)
  • Loss & Grief
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Post Traumatic Growth

Chapter

Pocket Book of Mental Health 3rd Edition - Chapters 4 & 12

Queensland Ambulance Guidelines - Clinical Practice Manual (CPM)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures

Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Mental Health Assessments

  • Scene Safety
  • Person, Object, place (POP)
  • Mental Status Assessment (MSA)
  • Mental Status Exam (MSE)

Chapter

Pocket Book of Mental Health 3rd Edition - Chapters 5

Queensland Ambulance Guidelines - Clinical Practice Manual (CPM)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures

Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Break Week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Communication

Chapter

Pocket Book of Mental Health 3rd Edition - Chapters 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures

Case Study Due Monday 17th April @ 0900


Case Study Due: Week 6 Monday (17 Apr 2023) 9:00 am AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Management Tactics 

  • Verbal De-escalation
  • Restraints
  • Other Agencies (Queensland police / Mental Health co-responders)
  • Acute behavioral disturbances and sedation 

Chapter

Queensland Ambulance Guidelines - Clinical Practice Manual (CPM)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures

Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

Sedation

  • Pharmacology
  • Protocols
  • Complications
  • Sedation Assessment Tool (SAT Score)

Chapter

Queensland Ambulance Guidelines - Clinical Practice Manual (CPM)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures

Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

Legal Considerations

  • Emergency Examination Authority (EEA)
  • VIRCA
  • Which one do you use and when
  • Paperwork requirements
  • Consequences - Coronial Inquests

Chapter

Queensland Ambulance Guidelines - Clinical Practice Manual (CPM)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

Paramedic Mental Health

  • Paramedic Safety
  • Peer Support
  • Priority One
  • Debriefs - Learning Opportunities

Chapter

Pocket Book of Mental Health 3rd Edition - Chapters 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures

Written Assessment due Monday 15th May @ 0900


Workbook Due: Week 10 Monday (15 May 2023) 9:00 am AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

Case Study

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Case Study


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Web based resources

Pre-recorded lectures


Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

You are required to attend a compulsory Residential School for this unit. You must nominate your preferred Residential School location through MyCQU, under My Timetable in the My Units tab. Numbers at Residential Schools are capped and a position at your preferred Residential School is not guaranteed. Geographical proximity to and previous attendance at a particular Residential School location does not guarantee placement at your preferred location. The unit coordinator will play no role in assisting in residential school changes if you did not receive your preferred residential school allocation. If student numbers are considered low at a particular school, you may be requested to change the date of your attendance, with appropriate notice, to enhance the overall student experience.

Attendance at Residential School is compulsory and you must attend 100% of Residential School days. If, for any reason, you cannot participate in a day at Residential School, you must immediately notify the Unit Coordinators and provide appropriate evidence, as per Assessment Policy and Procedure, to justify your absence. You will be responsible for making arrangements with the Unit Coordinators to make up for all missed learning and assessments.

Assessment Tasks

1 Case Study

Assessment Title
Case Study

Task Description

For this assessment you will be provided a case study outlining two separate Mental Health Conditions. You will be required to assess and compare the following elements for each condition:

· Background and pathophysiology

· Signs and symptoms

· Treatment and management pathways in the prehospital setting

· Communication styles and approaches that can be utilised.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Monday (17 Apr 2023) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Monday (8 May 2023)


Weighting
60%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Please see the Moodle page for a detailed rubric however, broadly you will be assessed on:

· Knowledge of different presentations of Mental Health challenges

· The ability to assess, compare and treat Mental Health challenges

· Understanding of appropriate interpersonal communication styles and professional behaviours

· Application of appropriate communication and professional behaviours to the standards expected of a paramedic

· Ability to communicate and present key information in an academic and professional manner


The assessment should be of an academic standard expected of a 3rd year Paramedic Science student and the professional standards required of a paramedic.

The assessment will be marked against the provided rubric, which has undergone peer review and a quality review process.

All assessments must be submitted via the unit Moodle page and undergo review via Turnitin.

The word count for this assessment is 2000 words (+/-10%), excluding the title page, headings, in-text references and the reference page.

This assessment must be in your own words and completed individually, collaboration with other students is not permitted.

You are to include at least ten references in total, which must include at least six recent (dated after 2013) peer-reviewed, scientific articles on the listed mental health conditions. You may utilise expert textbooks and/or websites however, you may not use the prescribed textbook or reference lectures from this unit. Additionally, references from Wikipedia will not be accepted.

In the absence of an approved extension, a penalty of 5% of the total marks for the assessment will be deducted for each full or part calendar day the assessment is overdue, in accordance with Assessment Policy and Procedure.

The pass mark for this assessment is 50%


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Assess, compare and treat different presentations of consumers experiencing mental health challenges
  • Engage in interpersonal communication, ethical, and professional behaviours while collaborating with multiple agencies to the standards expected of a paramedic.

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Workbook

Task Description

You will be required to complete a workbook exploring your knowledge gained throughout this unit. You will be required to answer the questions set out in the workbook. These questions support your continued professional development through structured self-directed learning. The workbook will be provided to you via the Moodle page. This task will involve short answer responses, requiring you to research, critical reviews and concisely answer each question in 500 words.

Please review the workbook thoroughly before commencing. You must complete all parts of the workbooks according to the instructions provided, ensuring that all work is referenced as per instructions in the workbook.

  • Evaluate and explain mental health related legislation within the context of paramedicine
  • Plan and deliver a range of evidence-based therapeutic options (using an individual and culturally specific context) to assist consumers experiencing mental health challenges


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Monday (15 May 2023) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Monday (5 June 2023)


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

You will be required to demonstrate your theoretical knowledge taught to you throughout this unit. This will be conducted through multiple questions in the workbook. The workbook will have marks awarded to each question with the accumulation of these marks being the final result. The workbook and marking rubrics will be provided on the unit Moodle page. The assessment will be based on marking criteria covering the following key points:

  • Plan and deliver a range of evidence-based therapeutic options (using an individual and culturally specific context) to assist consumers experiencing mental health challenges
  • Evaluate and explain mental health related legislation within the context of paramedicine

The assessment should be of an academic standard expected of a 3rd year Paramedic Science student and the professional standards required of a paramedic.

The assessment will be marked against the provided rubric, which has undergone peer review and a quality review process.

All assessments must be submitted via the unit Moodle page and undergo review via Turnitin.

This assessment must be in your own words and completed individually, collaboration with other students is not permitted. 

You must reference each answer with articles dated no earlier than 2013. You may utilise expert textbooks and/or websites however, you may not use the prescribed textbook or reference lectures from this unit. Additionally, references from Wikipedia will not be accepted.

In the absence of an approved extension, a penalty of 5% of the total marks for the assessment will be deducted for each full or part calendar day the assessment is overdue, in accordance with Assessment Policy and Procedure.

The pass mark for this assessment is 50%


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Plan and deliver a range of evidence-based therapeutic options (using an individual and culturally specific context) to assist consumers experiencing mental health challenges
  • Evaluate and explain mental health related legislation within the context of paramedicine

3 On-campus Activity

Assessment Title
Residential School

Task Description

For this assessment you will be required to attend a compulsory residential school.

The Residential School will be marked against three assessments tasks. The Residential School is a Pass/Fail assessment.

The assessment tasks will consist of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE), which will conducted during the residential school. The OSCEs may consist of a combination of Case Management Exercises and Documentation Exercises. The OSCEs will relate to content delivered throughout the unit and align with the relevant unit learning outcomes and are designed to assess the knowledge and practical skills acquired throughout the unit and residential school


Assessment Due Date

Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Assessments undertaken during the residential school may be assessed against a combination of the following criteria:

· Patient assessment and patient history taking

· Application of appropriate legislation

· Implementation of interventions and patient management

· Scene management and patient safety

· Mental Status Examination (MSE) / Mental Status Assessment (MSA) / Sedation Assessment Tool (SAT)

· Verbal / Non-verbal and written communication skills


The practical assessment is a pass/fail assessment.

You will be required to achieve a Pass on all listed criterion for each assessment item to achieve an overall Pass for the residential school.

Each criterion may consist of several elements.

If you fail 50% or less of the overall criterion in a single OSCE you will provided with a resit, which will occur during the residential school. You will only be provided one resit.

If you fail more than 50% of the overall criterion in a single OSCE you will be awarded a fail for that assessment task.

Multiple assessment marking rubrics will be used during the residential school. The marking rubrics have undergone peer-review and a quality review process. Example marking rubrics for each assessment task will be provided prior to the residential school, via the Assessment tile on the unit Moodle page.

Critical Errors

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 performed outside your scope of practice. During any form of assessment, if any of the following critical errors are witnessed, if safety permits, the scenario will continue; however, the assessment will be graded as a fail. 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 were delivered during defibrillation.

· Defibrillation of a non-shockable rhythm.

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

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

· Failure to perform a complete drug check, including dose, volume, indications and contra-indications.

· Failure to check indications and contra-indications before performing a skill or procedure.

· Performing a skill or procedure outside your scope of practice.

· Administering a drug or drug dose outside your scope of practice.

· Incorrect sharps disposal or unsafe practice with a sharp.

· 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


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Assess, compare and treat different presentations of consumers experiencing mental health challenges
  • Plan and deliver a range of evidence-based therapeutic options (using an individual and culturally specific context) to assist consumers experiencing mental health challenges
  • Evaluate and explain mental health related legislation within the context of paramedicine
  • Engage in interpersonal communication, ethical, and professional behaviours while collaborating with multiple agencies to the standards expected of a paramedic.

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?