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

This unit will consolidate your knowledge of the vast array of medical, environmental and mental health issues through varying ages, community groups, and social cohorts. In this unit, you will study the prehospital management of various medical conditions and learn how to discriminate between similar and confounding presentations. Through case-based learning, you will apply clinical knowledge and skills and develop your critical thinking and clinical judgement skills to confidently reach diagnoses. This will enable you to determine the most appropriate clinical management following contemporary industry guidelines and protocols. A residential school will consolidate your 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 PMSC13012 Paramedic Medical Emergencies 3

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 - 2022

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

Feedback

The best aspects of this unit were expanding my understanding of different pathophysiological processes and being able to treat them accordingly in a prehospital setting. Having fantastic lecturers and appropriate learning resources in this unit helped my learning needs significantly.

Recommendation

A common theme was that the students were satisfied with their learning resources, lectures and tutorials. Although Zoom sessions were not overly supported by attendance, students commented that they enjoyed watching the recordings. This format will remain for future deliveries.

Feedback from Moodle

Feedback

The idea of the unit is good, to rehash over everything, but we were just watching past lectures.

Recommendation

This is a capstone consolidation unit in which some lectures are revisited during the term from the previous unit. Most students commented that this is beneficial to their learning, while some stated they did not find the revision aspect overly helpful. Focusing on future offerings will combine previous material in a case study format. This will allow the students to review course content and application without overtly reviewing prior content.

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 findings to differentiate between various medical, environmental and mental health pathologies to 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 following professional guidelines and protocols.
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

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine

Edition: 5th (2020)
Authors: Cameron, P. , Little, M. ,Mitra, B. & Conor, D.
Elsevier
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780702076244
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
Kate Nielsen Unit Coordinator
k.nielsen@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Drug Therapy Protocol and Procedures and Skills Review.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency and Trauma Care.

Clinical Practice Guidelines as outlined.

Drug Therapy Protocols as outlined.

Additional readings as directed

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Lecture/Tutorial

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Resuscitation and Electrophysiology Review.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency and Trauma Care.

Clinical Practice Guidelines as outlined.

Drug Therapy Protocols as outlined.

Additional readings as directed

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Lecture/Tutorial

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Paramedic Medical Emergencies One Review, Part One.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency and Trauma Care.

Clinical Practice Guidelines as outlined.

Drug Therapy Protocols as outlined.

Additional readings as directed.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Lecture/Tutorial

Week 4 Begin Date: 01 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Paramedic Medical Emergencies One Review, Part Two.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency and Trauma Care.

Clinical Practice Guidelines as outlined.

Drug Therapy Protocols as outlined.

Additional readings as directed.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Lecture/Tutorial

Week 5 Begin Date: 08 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Paramedic Medical Emergencies Two Review, Part One.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency and Trauma Care.

Clinical Practice Guidelines as outlined.

Drug Therapy Protocols as outlined.

Additional readings as directed.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Lecture/Tutorial

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 22 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Paramedic Medical Emergencies Two Review, Part Two.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency and Trauma Care.

Clinical Practice Guidelines as outlined.

Drug Therapy Protocols as outlined.

Additional readings as directed.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Lecture/Tutorial

Week 7 Begin Date: 29 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Paramedic Emergencies Three Review

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency and Trauma Care.

Clinical Practice Guidelines as outlined.

Drug Therapy Protocols as outlined.

Additional readings as directed.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Lecture/Tutorial

Week 8 Begin Date: 05 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Special Populations Review

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency and Trauma Care.

Clinical Practice Guidelines as outlined.

Drug Therapy Protocols as outlined.

Additional readings as directed.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Lecture/Tutorial

Week 9 Begin Date: 12 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Mental Health Review

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency and Trauma Care.

Clinical Practice Guidelines as outlined.

Drug Therapy Protocols as outlined.

Additional readings as directed.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Lecture/Tutorial


Written Assessment Due: Week 9 Monday (12 Sept 2022) 8:00 am AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 19 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Self Directed Revision

Preparation for Online Quiz

Chapter

All Unit Material

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 26 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Online Exam Opens.

Self Directed Revision.

Preparation for Residential Schools.

Chapter

All Unit Material

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Quiz Opens Monday the 26th of September at 5:00 pm for one week.

Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Online Exam Closes.

Self Directed Revision.

Preparation for Residential Schools.

Chapter

All Unit Material

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Quiz Closes Monday (3rd Oct 2021) 5.00 pm AEST


Online Quiz Due: Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022) 5:00 pm AEST
Residential School A Begin Date: 18 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

October 18th through 21st


Practical Assessment Due: Exam Week Friday (21 Oct 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Residential School B Begin Date: 26 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

October 26th to 29th

Residential School C Begin Date: 03 Nov 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

November 3rd to 6th

Term Specific Information

You will be required to attend a compulsory residential school. 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/or previous attendance at a residential school location does not guarantee placement at your preferred residential school location. The Unit Coordinator will not be responsible for assisting with students preferred residential school locations or play a role in swapping with other students who have already allocated. Attendance at residential schools is compulsory. If for any reason you cannot attend a day at residential school, you must provide appropriate evidence, as per Assessment Policy and Procedure, to justify your absence. You will be responsible for making arrangements with the Unit Coordinator to make up for the missed learning and teaching.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment

Task Description

In this written assessment, you are required to review the presentation and management of a case you have encountered whilst on a placement. You will then discuss the clinical presentation and treatment administered as it relates to contemporary pre-hospital care. Finally, you will critique your pre-hospital treatment and discuss how your management may have influenced the trajectory of injury or illness for your patient. Your chosen case must reflect one of the conditions specifically covered in this unit.

Requirements

This assessment builds on the knowledge and experiences 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. 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 as it relates to your administration of treatment, and how you are able to affect the patients trajectory of illness or injury whilst they are in you care.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Monday (12 Sept 2022) 8:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Monday (26 Sept 2022)


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
75%

Assessment Criteria

Your assessment should be formatted on A4 International Standard paper with margins of 2.54cm.

Arial font and size set to 12 point, and line spacing should be set to 1.5.

Submission via Microsoft Word format or PDF will be accepted.

A cover page must include the following:

· Assessment name

· Unit number and name (PMSC13010 Consolidated Paramedic Practice)

· Your Name

· Student Number

· Word count (not including cover page, headings and references)

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

You are required to address the written assignment questions in an essay format, headings and/or subsections are allowed. The word count for this assessment is 2000 words (+/- 10%).

All answers will need to be based on evidence-based, peer-reviewed literature and Queensland Ambulance Service clinical policy will provide you with the relevant clinical practice guidelines.

You must provide a reference list of no less than fifteen (15) recent peer-reviewed scientific journal articles published after 2012. You may also reference additional expert textbooks and websites, as appropriate.

The assessment must be referenced in the APA 7 style. Intext referencing must be utilised with an accompanying reference list in APA format.

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 the Assessment Policy and Procedure.

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 thinks 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?

Treatment

In this section you will outline and review the treatment you administered and align this with the Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) pertaining to your chosen provisional diagnosis. You must include the following information:

  • How did you manage the patient from time of arrival to disposition at the receiving facility?
  • What is the acute pre-hospital management for this condition (as per the CPG)?
  • Does it reflect your management?
  • Describe the acute impact of your pre-hospital treatment (what did you see change)?
  • If you had unlimited scope, is there additional cares you would have like to have implemented?
  • Upon reflection, is there anything you would have liked to done differently during the management of this patient and, how could you implement this in the future.

The pass mark for this assessment is 75%


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate clinical history and assessment findings to differentiate between various medical, environmental and mental health pathologies to 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

2 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quiz

Task Description

The online quiz will incorporate multiple-choice questions and short answer responses 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.

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

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


Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Friday (14 Oct 2022)


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

Weighting Pass/Fail

This is a timed quiz with minimum passing grade of 75%

One (1) additional attempt/resit will be offered if you are unable to achieve a pass mark on the first attempt. 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. Failure to achieve a pass mark on the additional attempt and/or non-submission will result in a fail for this assessment. 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.


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Take a systematic and responsive approach to clinical assessment and evaluation
  • Manage clinical cases with appropriate prioritisation of treatment following professional guidelines and protocols.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment

Task Description

Task Description

You will be required to attend an assessment day/s at: your nominated campus for Internal students, or at your nominated residential school for Distance students.

Your assessment tasks will consist of four (4) Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). The format of the OSCEs may include blend of case management exercises, written short answer questions, skills stations and a viva voce.

All assessment tasks align with the learning outcomes for this unit, as described in the Unit Profile.

The Case Management Exercises (CMEs) will take the format of clinical scenarios (whole or in-part) designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of any topic or material covered throughout the unit by means of structured, simulated patient interactions. Furthermore, the CMEs are designed to assess your ability to perform a thorough and accurate patient assessment and use this information to formulate a provisional diagnosis. In combination with your patient assessment and provisional diagnosis, you will be required to implement appropriate and timely clinical interventions, procedures and/or skills commensurate with your current scope of practice. Scene management and effective communication skills, including the ability to deliver a clinical handover to a senior clinician (i.e. CCP/ICP/MICA) or other health care professionals, will also be assessed.

Skills stations are designed with intention of being able to assess the necessity for, and demonstrate a specific skill from any element present in your learning material.

The Viva Voce is a verbal or interview style assessment where you will be required to answer a series of questions to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the material covered throughout the unit. Short answer written assessment follow the same expectation of the Viva Voce however the questions are required to be in a written format.





Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Friday (21 Oct 2022) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

You must pass all four assessment tasks to pass the residential school.

To pass each assessment task, you must attain a minimum grade of 75%.

One (1) resit will be offered to correspond to the assessment piece a passing grade was not awarded.

Inability to achieve a pass on two or more assessments initially will result in a fail for the unit, and a resist will not be offered.

Inability to achieve a pass on any resit attempted will result in a fail for the unit.

Further assessment criteria and relevant points are as follows:

All resits will be conducted at the end of the residential school.

All clinical management decisions, procedures, and drug therapies must be in accordance with Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) guidelines and protocols as current at the date of assessment.

The use of Field Reference Guides will be permitted during practical case management simulation only. No other protocols or other reference material can be utilised for any other examinations conducted.

If you are an interstate student currently practising with your home statutory service, please contact the Unit Coordinator directly during the term to discuss the use of alternative guidelines or protocols during residential assessments.

Critical Errors

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 and/or any procedure/skill or pharmacology administered, that is performed outside your scope of practice.

During any form of assessment, if any of the following critical errors are witnessed the assessment will continue and be moderated. Upon review and confirmation of a critical error, no marks will be awarded for that assessment item. Furthermore, any critical error discovered on review or moderation will result in no marks being awarded for that assessment item.

Critical errors are as follows:

· Unsafe defibrillation

· Incorrect joules delivered during defibrillation

· Defibrillation of a non-shockable rhythm

· Failure to recognise a cardiac arrest within one (1) minute

· Failure to defibrillate a shockable rhythm within two (2) minutes

· Failure to perform a complete drug check, including dose, volume, indications and all contraindications

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

· Incorrect sharps disposal or unsafe practice with a sharp

· Performing a skill or procedure outside your scope of practice

· Administering pharmacology outside your scope of practice, or administering an incorrect drug or drug dose

· Any grossly unsafe practice, as determined by the assessing academic

If you do not understand any of the above, please clarify with your unit coordinator.

Failure to attempt/undertake an assessment task will result in a fail for this assessment.

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 to pass the unit.


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


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


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • 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?