CQUniversity Unit Profile
PMSC13010 Consolidated Paramedic Practice
Consolidated Paramedic Practice
All details in this unit profile for PMSC13010 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

In this unit you will study the pathophysiology, presentation, and prehospital management of various medical / surgical conditions, learning how to discriminate between similar conditions and confounding presentations. Through case-based learning you will develop the critical thinking and clinical judgement skills to confidently reach diagnoses and determine the most appropriate clinical management in accordance with contemporary industry guidelines and protocols. A residential school consolidates knowledge with practice in high-fidelity simulation case management exercises.

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 MPAT12001 Medical Pathophysiology PMSC13003 Pharmacology in Paramedic Practice

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 - 2019

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. Written Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: Pass/Fail

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.

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 Unit Evaluation

Feedback

Appropriate lecture length

Recommendation

Students appreciated concise lectures and recommend lectures continue to be capped at 20 minutes.

Feedback from Unit Evaluation

Feedback

Clinical discussion sessions before scenario practice, at residential scool, assisted learning

Recommendation

Clinical discussion sessions held before practical scenario training were well received by students and should be continued.

Feedback from Unit Evaluation

Feedback

Lecture content evidence based and reflects current practice

Recommendation

As required, update content to reflect current best practice for contemporary Australian ambulance practice and emerging evidence.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Take a systematic and responsive approach to clinical assessment and evaluation.
  2. Evaluate clinical history and assessment data to differentiate between medical pathologies and reach accurate diagnoses.
  3. Apply critical thinking in case management, justifying clinical decisions with evidence-based rationale.
  4. Manage clinical cases with appropriate prioritisation of treatment in accordance with industry guidelines and protocols.

The unit increases students' capacity to perform on-road as independent clinicians with Australian ambulance services. This is in direct response to industry feedback (through both direct consultation with management and via clinical placement feedback forms) that students and graduates lack practical skills in clinical case management, noted as a disconnect between medical science studies and the contextual application of this knowledge in the clinical environment. Improving our students' ability to meet industry requirements will strengthen the Paramedic Course ability to meet accreditation requirements.

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 - 0%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 0%
3 - Practical Assessment - 0%

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 - 0%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 0%
3 - Practical Assessment - 0%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Emergency and Trauma Care for Nurses and Paramedics

Edition: 2nd (2015)
Authors: Curtis,K & Ramsden,C
Elsevier
Chatswood Chatswood , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 978072952050
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information


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 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Gavin Cousens Unit Coordinator
g.cousens@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 15 Jul 2019

Module/Topic

Systematic Approach

Oxygen Therapy 

 

Chapter

Emergency and Trauma Care 2e- Pg 237-252 and Pg 441-452

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Pg 21 - 31

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online lecture/tutorial

Week 2 Begin Date: 22 Jul 2019

Module/Topic

Neurological Emergencies

Chapter

Emergency and Trauma Care 2e- Chapter 23 & Pg 1287/8

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Pg 386-389, Pg 390-399 & Pg 411-416

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online lecture/tutorial

Week 3 Begin Date: 29 Jul 2019

Module/Topic

Respiratory Emergencies 

Chapter

Emergency and Trauma Care 2e- Chapter 21 and Pg 886 - 887

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine- Section Six

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online lecture/tutorial

Week 4 Begin Date: 05 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Cardiac Emergencies

Chapter

Emergency and Trauma Care 2e- Chapter 22

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Pg 227 - 231 and Pg 273 - 285

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online lecture/tutorial

Week 5 Begin Date: 12 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Endocrine Emergencies

Chapter

Emergency and Trauma Care 2e- Pg Chapter 26

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Pg 520 - 532

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online lecture/tutorial

Vacation Week Begin Date: 19 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Mid-Term Break

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 6 Begin Date: 26 Aug 2019

Module/Topic

Immunological Emergencies & Shock

Chapter

Emergency and Trauma Care 2e- Chapter 20

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Pg 38 - 51

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online lecture/tutorial

Week 7 Begin Date: 02 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Emergencies  

Chapter

Emergency and Trauma Care 2e- Chapter 24 and 25

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Pg Section 7 & 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online lecture/tutorial


WRITTEN ASSESSMENT Due: Week 7 Friday (6 Sept 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 09 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Preparation for Residential School 

Chapter

All content covered as outlined on Moodle 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Session TBA 

Week 9 Begin Date: 16 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Residential School  One

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT Due: Week 9 Tuesday (17 Sept 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 23 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

Residential school Two 

Revision for online Quiz

Chapter

All material covered

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Session TBA 

Week 11 Begin Date: 30 Sep 2019

Module/Topic

On-Line Quiz open 

Chapter

All material covered

Events and Submissions/Topic

ONLINE QUIZ Due: Week 11 Monday (30 Sept 2019) 7:00 am AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 07 Oct 2019

Module/Topic

Self-directed revision 

Chapter

All material covered

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Oct 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 21 Oct 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
WRITTEN ASSESSMENT

Task Description

Objectives.

In this assessment, you are required to describe and discuss the presentation and management of a case you have encountered while on placement.

You will then discuss the clinical presentation specific to the case and how it relates to contemporary pre-hospital care in Australia.

Finally, you will reflect upon the case and how it has influenced your approach to patient care and any lessons you have taken away from your experience.

Your chosen case must reflect one of the conditions specifically covered in this unit.

Requirements.

This assessment builds on the knowledge and skills you have gained over your progress throughout the entire Paramedic Science course.

You will describe the methods by which you undertake a clinical examination and obtain an accurate medical history from a patient.

You will then use this information to formulate a working diagnosis and initiate appropriate interventions. You will be required to research and define a medical condition encountered in the pre-hospital environment and provide evidence-based research justifying your management plan. With this knowledge, you will gain an understanding of clinical management within the context of pre-hospital care as a component of an integrated healthcare continuum.

Finally, you will reflect upon your own practice as a novice clinician to learn and grow from your experiences in preparation to transition from an undergraduate student to a graduate paramedic.

This assessment will contain 1500 words +/-10% (not including references) and will be referenced in APA style.

Only One (1) attempt will be granted to achieve a pass mark for this assessment.

This unit has Three (3) assessment items. Each assessment is a Pass/Fail. You must pass each individual assessment item in order to pass the unit.  


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Friday (6 Sept 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Friday (20 Sept 2019)


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
75%

Assessment Criteria

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Submission

Please write your assessment using the APA referencing style and format, and then upload it into the PMSC13010 Moodle page using the Assessment 1 – Written Assessment link in the Assessment tab.

Presentation

The document should be formatted on A4 International Standard paper with margins of 2.54cm. Line spacing should be set to 1.5 and font size set to 12 point.

Only submissions in Microsoft Word format, .doc or .docx, will be accepted.

Format

Cover Page

A cover page must be included for this assessment, in the following format:

• Assessment number and name

• Unit number and name (PMSC13010 Consolidated Paramedic Practice)

• Your name

• Student number

• Word count

• Assessment due date (If you have an approved extension this needs to be noted here)

Case Description

In this section, you will describe the case you have selected using the following format:

• Called To: What specifically were you called to i.e. dispatch code and information given.

• General Information: Crew mix (CCP, ACP, GPIP), Time of day.

• On Arrival: What did you see on arrival at the scene? Initial scene appraisal. Where was the patient? What was their presenting posture? What was their initial appearance? Were there any family/bystanders?

• Patient Complaining Of: What specifically was the patient complaining of?

• Patient Narrative: What did the patient tell you? Why did they call the ambulance? Pertinent and non-pertinent history, symptoms they described current medications, medical history, allergies. Anything else of importance or interest?

• On Examination: What did you find? Include observations (be specific, list the components of the Perfusion Status Assessment, Neurological Assessment, Respiratory Status Assessment, ECG etc), signs and symptoms you discovered. Include pertinent and non-pertinent signs, symptoms and observations, Head-to-Toes examination.

• Provisional Diagnosis: What did you think was wrong with this patient and why? Link your provisional diagnosis to all the information you gathered from the above sections.

• Differential Diagnosis: Was consideration given to any other potential conditions? Could it have been something else?

Clinical Presentation

In this section you will describe the medical condition discovered from the provisional diagnosis of your patient. You must include the following information:

• Definition: Provide a working definition for the condition/disease process you have chosen.

• Pathophysiology: What is going on in this condition? Start with the specific system involved then explore systematic effects.

• Epidemiology: What is the profile of this condition in Australia? Who does it generally effect i.e. age, sex, race, socio-economic status? What is the relevance to pre-hospital care?

• Aetiology: Why does this condition occur? Risk factors i.e. genetics, lifestyle, diet etc?

• Diagnosis: How is this condition diagnosed in-hospital? Did it reflect your provisional diagnosis? Can our diagnosis in the pre-hospital environment change/improve?

• Patient Management: What did you do for the patient? List all interventions performed, don’t forget the basics like posture and reassurance. Outline why you performed these interventions and any effects they had on the patient, link to the pathophysiology of the condition and mechanism of the intervention.

• Treatment: What is the acute in-hospital management for this condition? Does it reflect your management? What evidence-based research is available supporting your management?

Reflection

In the final section, you should reflect upon you chosen case and lessons learnt from this experience.

• What made you choose this specific case, what stood out for you? How did you feel about interacting with the patient? Were they co-operative? Were there any other factor that affected your assessment or interactions?

• How confident were you in undertaking assessments and formulating a provisional diagnosis?

• Did you undertake any of the interventions and/or management? If yes; how did you feel about it, were you successful? If no; why not? Was it a confidence issue? Was the patient time critical?

• Has this case changed the way you approach similar presentations? Did the case presentation match your expectations from your prior knowledge of the condition? Did you receive any feedback from your mentors? Did this feedback aid in your learning?



Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please submit through the Unit Moodle page using the Assessment 1 - Written Assessment link in the Assessment tab.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate clinical history and assessment data to differentiate between medical pathologies and reach accurate diagnoses.
  • Apply critical thinking in case management, justifying clinical decisions with evidence-based rationale.


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

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT

Task Description

TASK DESCRIPTION

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

There will be a total of three (3) assessment tasks throughout the compulsory residential school. These tasks are designed to test your theoretical knowledge in combination with your clinical assessment and patient management skills. All assessment tasks align with the learning outcomes for this unit, as described in the Unit Profile.

The assessment tasks will be in the following formats: One (1) Viva Voce and two (2) Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE).

Viva Voce

The Viva Voce is a verbal or "interview style" assessment. You will have 20 minutes to answer a series of questions to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the material covered throughout the unit. You may be assessed on anatomy and pathophysiology of any disease process covered throughout the unit. You may also be asked to describe the pre-hospital presentation, including signs and symptoms, in combination with the appropriate pre-hospital management of any disease process described throughout the unit.

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

The two (2) OSCEs will take the format of a structured scenario where you will be allocated 20 minutes to complete each OSCE. The OSCE is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the material covered throughout the unit in a structured practical environment. Furthermore, the OSCE will assess your ability to perform a thorough and accurate patient assessment and history, and use this information to formulate a provisional diagnosis. In combination with your patient assessment and provisional diagnosis, you will implement appropriate and timely interventions, procedures and/or skills. Your ability to communicate effectively and overall scene management will also be assessed. Finally, you will be required to demonstrate your ability to give a patient handover to a senior clinician (i.e. CCP).

This unit has Three (3) assessment items. Each assessment is a Pass/Fail. You must pass each individual assessment item in order to pass the unit.  


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Tuesday (17 Sept 2019) 5:00 pm AEST

During residential school. Please refer to timetable for residential school dates.


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (4 Oct 2019)


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
75%

Assessment Criteria

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

You must achieve a pass mark on each individual assessment task to be awarded an overall pass for the residential school.

The pass mark for each individual assessment task is 75%.

The inability to achieve a pass mark for two (2) or more individual tasks will result in an automatic fail for this assessment.

One (1) additional attempt/resit will be offered if two (2) individual tasks have been completed successfully.

Failure to undertake and/or achieve a pass mark on the additional attempt/resit will result in a fail for this assessment and the unit.

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 that is 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 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 an incorrect drug/drug dosage 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.

This unit has Three (3) assessment items. Each assessment is a Pass/Fail. You must pass each individual assessment item in order to pass the unit.  


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Submission Instructions
During residential school

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Take a systematic and responsive approach to clinical assessment and evaluation.
  • Evaluate clinical history and assessment data to differentiate between medical pathologies and reach accurate diagnoses.
  • Apply critical thinking in case management, justifying clinical decisions with evidence-based rationale.
  • Manage clinical cases with appropriate prioritisation of treatment in accordance with industry guidelines and protocols.


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

3 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
ONLINE QUIZ

Task Description

TASK DESCRIPTION

The online quiz will incorporate multiple choice questions, short and medium length answer responses and case studies to assess your theoretical knowledge of topics covered throughout the unit.

You may be assessed on any topic covered in this unit, including review material.

Anatomy and pathophysiology of any disease process, incorporating presentation (signs and symptoms) and appropriate pre-hospital management may be assessed.

The assessment aligns with the learning outcomes for this unit, as described in the Unit Profile.



Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Monday (30 Sept 2019) 7:00 am AEST

Students are required to have at least one (1) quiz attempt and achieve the pass mark or an incomplete result will be awarded for the unit.


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (11 Oct 2019)


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
75%

Assessment Criteria

This is a timed quiz with a pass mark of 75%.

At least one (1) attempt at the quiz must be made. Students will be offered two (2) attempts of the quiz during the allocated open time frame with the higher grade taken into account and the lesser grade having no effect on your overall result. Your second attempt does not have to be taken immediately after the first however it must be done during the week the quiz is open. There will not be an opportunity to review your first attempt prior to attempting the second. 

Failure to achieve a pass mark on either attempt and/or non-submission will result in a fail for this assessment.

You must complete the quiz in the allocated time. There will be no opportunity to save your answers and return to the quiz at a later time.

In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete this assessment after the due date.

No opportunity for a supplementary assessment will be offered.

This quiz is an individual assessment task. You are not permitted to collaborate with other students whilst undertaking this assessment. Any attempt or evidence of collaboration will result in an Academic Misconduct investigation.

This unit has Three (3) assessment items. Each assessment is a Pass/Fail. You must pass each individual assessment item in order to pass the unit.  


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
You will be required to complete the quiz in the allocated time. There will be no opportunity to save your answers and return to the quiz at a later time.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate clinical history and assessment data to differentiate between medical pathologies and reach accurate diagnoses.
  • Apply critical thinking in case management, justifying clinical decisions with evidence-based rationale.
  • Manage clinical cases with appropriate prioritisation of treatment in accordance with industry guidelines and protocols.


Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

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?