Overview
This unit will give you the specific knowledge and skills to function in aeromedical, retrieval and tactical medicine areas as a critical care paramedic. The unit looks at the core aspects of aeromedical and retrieval medicine covering physics, planning and preparing strategies for successful operations within aeromedical, retrieval and tactical areas, rotary vs fixed wing transport, functioning in confined or limited spaces, human factors and operational concerns, the clinical issues, risks and challenges involved in transporting critically ill patients in the aeromedical environments. You will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts regarding risk analysis, safety concerns, teamwork and identify the effective communication and collaboration skills utilised within aeromedical, retrieval and tactical environments.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
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 - 2017
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).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate 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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 feedback
Many content experts contributing to each week has led to confusion and interrupted flow of learning
Continue with the use of expert contributors, but review how this content is presented to ensure flow of ideas and consistency of learning throughout the term.
Feedback from Informal student feedback
Students would like explanations of assessment items
Develop video recordings explaining components of the set assessment tasks.
- Plan, prepare and implement strategies for successful operation within aeromedical, retrieval or tactical areas
- Integrate critical care clinical knowledge and functionality in aeromedical, retrieval and tactical operations
- Identify effective communication and collaborative skills utilised within aeromedical, retrieval and tactical environments
- Examine the clinical issues, risks and challenges involved in the transporting critically ill patients in the aeromedical environment
- Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of risk analysis, team safety and teamwork in aeromedical, retrieval and tactical environment.
A Graduate Diploma is now the standard requirement for many state ambulance services for advanced positions in the paramedic field. These positions have speciality areas that include aeromedical, retrieval and tactical areas.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Presentation - 30% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Portfolio - 40% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||
| 4 - Research | |||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||
| 8 - 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 | |
| 1 - Presentation - 30% | ||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||
| 3 - Portfolio - 40% | ||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
n.williams-claassen@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Aeromedical Introduction
Chapter
(Module 1: Aeromedical and Retrieval) runs from Week 1 through Week 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Crew Resource Management
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Flight Physiology
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Specific Cases Part 1
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Specific Cases Part 2
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
In-flight Emergencies
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Presentation assessment due by August 25th
Presentation Due: Week 6 Friday (25 Aug 2017) 8:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Fixed Wing Operations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Special Operations Part 1
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Special Operations Part 2
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Risk Analysis due by Sept 15th
Risk Analysis Due: Week 9 Friday (15 Sept 2017) 8:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Tactical Introduction
Chapter
(Module 2: Tactical) runs from Week 10 to Week 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Tactical Operations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Tactical Medical Care
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Portfolio due 6th October
Portfolio Due: Week 12 Friday (6 Oct 2017) 8:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Presentation
In this assessment you will need to create a PowerPoint case presentation describing a particular aeromedical, retrieval, or tactical agency that employs paramedics. It is not limited to Australia (or your local service) and can be any entity across the globe that has a role in paramedic driven aeromedical, retrieval, or tactical medicine.
The PowerPoint presentation must include the following information:
· History of the service.
· Capabilities and Limitations of the service.
· A description of the communications and collaboration skills utilized by this service and the clinical skills, training and knowledge of the paramedics involved.
· Clinical issues, risks and challenges involved including, but not limited to:
- Types of patients transported or treated in the field
- Specific safety issues faced by the paramedic, team or service
- Potential law or administration concerns (such as accreditation, international or state boundaries, etc.)
- Health and fitness requirements of the personnel.
Week 6 Friday (25 Aug 2017) 8:00 am AEST
Returned to students within 2 week turnaround
The presentation will be assessed in accordance with the rubric and information provided on the unit’s Moodle page. The following criteria are key points to be included:
- The presentation should be in a PowerPoint format.
- Recorded narration is required and you can use the Notes section to detail your thinking.
- The presentation must address each of the main topic tasks as detailed in the task description.
- Avoid superficial points or comments.
- As this is a presentation, you should include images where appropriate, but these must be referenced.
The presentation has no specified length in regards to the amount of slides used but the recorded presentation should not be longer than twenty (20) minutes.
A minimum mark of 50% is required to pass this assessment.
This presentation is worth 30% of your overall unit mark.
- Integrate critical care clinical knowledge and functionality in aeromedical, retrieval and tactical operations
- Identify effective communication and collaborative skills utilised within aeromedical, retrieval and tactical environments
- Examine the clinical issues, risks and challenges involved in the transporting critically ill patients in the aeromedical environment
- Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of risk analysis, team safety and teamwork in aeromedical, retrieval and tactical environment.
- Knowledge
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
2 Written Assessment
In this assessment you will be given a case briefing for an aeromedical scenario. From there, you will create a risk analysis for the successful retrieval and transport of the patient in the scenario. You are required to explain the risks associated with this patient management and retrieval and if/how these risks can be mitigated by addressing the following main points:
· Potential issues or hazards regarding the mission (i.e. distance, weather, personnel needed, equipment checks, etc.)
· Potential clinical issues or things that could go wrong when transporting the patient (i.e. stability, deterioration, physics, health concerns, stressors, etc.)
You are also required to take into account: preparation, crew resource management, flight physiology, and in-flight emergencies.
Week 9 Friday (15 Sept 2017) 8:00 am AEST
Returned to students within 2 week turnaround
There is minimum word limit of 1500 words for your risk analysis case report. It is expected that the report will be clear and concise. The case report will be assessed in accordance with the information and rubric provided on the unit’s Moodle page. It should be presented in an essay format.
A minimum mark of 50% is required to pass this assessment.
The case report document is worth 30% of your overall unit mark.
- Plan, prepare and implement strategies for successful operation within aeromedical, retrieval or tactical areas
- Integrate critical care clinical knowledge and functionality in aeromedical, retrieval and tactical operations
- Examine the clinical issues, risks and challenges involved in the transporting critically ill patients in the aeromedical environment
- Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of risk analysis, team safety and teamwork in aeromedical, retrieval and tactical environment.
- Knowledge
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
3 Portfolio
This assessment requires two tasks.
Firstly, you are required to arrange an observation site visit or tour to any of the following areas:
· Any paramedic based aeromedical unit including EMQ, NSW HEMS, RACQ, MedStar, etc.
· Any fixed wing service such as a RFDS unit
· Any police service that supports paramedics, has an aeromedical or medical unit, or has a tactical unit
Others may be accepted, but will need to be approved by Unit Coordinator prior to commencement.
Please take note that the site visit is not designed to be formal placements or ride-alongs with QAS, NSW Ambulance or any other ambulance service, aeromedical or tactical entity. The goal of this site visit is for you to directly observe and reflect upon critical care paramedics in one of our specialty areas.
Secondly, you will need to critically discuss the following items in relation to service that you visited:
· Role and responsibilities of the CCPs (or other advanced practice clinician) involved.
· The CCP’s unique role in the aeromedical, retrieval or tactical environment (i.e. rescue trained, additional skills, experience or other qualifications required, combat trained, etc.).
· The other personnel involved and how they collaborate and function with the CCP (or other advanced practice clinician).
· The transport units involved (i.e. described the rotatory or fixed wing craft or tactical vehicle used) and their considerations such as capabilities, range (distance able to travel), operating space, maximum occupancy, landing requirements, noise, pressurization, etc.
· Specialty equipment used (i.e. medical devices, retrieval equipment, point of care devices, etc.)
· Dispatch and TeleHealth (consultation) capabilities
Week 12 Friday (6 Oct 2017) 8:00 am AEST
Returned to students within 2 week turnaround
While there is no maximum word limit for your portfolio, there is a minimum word count of 2000 words. The portfolio will be assessed in accordance with the rubric and information provided on the unit’s Moodle page. Your portfolio should be presented in an essay format.
A minimum mark of 50% is required to pass this assessment.
This portfolio is worth 40% of your overall unit mark.
- Plan, prepare and implement strategies for successful operation within aeromedical, retrieval or tactical areas
- Identify effective communication and collaborative skills utilised within aeromedical, retrieval and tactical environments
- Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of risk analysis, team safety and teamwork in aeromedical, retrieval and tactical environment.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Research
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
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?
