The Bachelor of Paramedic Science aims to develop graduates who are able to apply knowledge of emergency medicine to clinical practice in their health professional role. To enable this ability in graduates, the program is designed to build a high level of evaluative and diagnostic skills so graduates can rapidly assess patients and implement best practice emergency care in a safe and effective manner.
The program also aims to develop high level communication skills so that graduates can interact positively with patients and other health professionals in the clinical work environment. Clinical decision making and problem solving ability will be promoted in graduates through use of scenario based learning techniques and exposure to ‘real world' conditions while on clinical practice opportunities with Ambulance Services.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Paramedic Science course from CQUniversity have developed the expertise and skills to work as health professionals in emergency medicine and retrieval. Work integrated clinical units are included in the 2nd and 3rd years of the course to facilitate work readiness of graduates. Graduates may go on to specialise in intensive care paramedic practice, aviation and retrieval medicine, occupational health and safety, special operations or clinical education with further study. Employment options at the completion of the course include government ambulance services as well as in the numerous private paramedic services supporting mines, industry and the resource sector.
Duration | 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 144 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | BParamedSc |
AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
The COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory to be eligible to attend a WIL placement for this course. Students will be required to provide evidence of having completed a COVID-19 vaccination schedule by the closing date prior to a WIL placement. The vaccine received must be a vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia.
Rank Threshold | SR 75.00 | ATAR 75.00 |
Prerequisites: OP>14 or equivalent expected.
Students are required to obtain a first-aid certificate with a current CPR certification prior to enrolment in course PMSC11001.
See More Details for more information.
International Students
Students not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, South Africa or USA are required to meet the English Language Prerequisite by:
The English Language Proficiency requirements may also be satisfied by an Occupational test - Result of ‘A' or ‘B' (results are to be no older than 2 years from the start of term).
English (4, SA), Maths B (4, SA), Chemistry, Biology, Science.
Students who have not studied chemistry are advised to enrol in an introductory chemistry course at CQUniversity. The recommended course of study is CHEM40079.
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | Not applicable |
Accreditation |
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Compulsory Residential School | Students studying via distance education will be required to attend compulsory residential schools for some courses. At times there may be a requirement to complete residential school in Cairns. See "More Details" for further information. |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
- Students are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) of compulsory off-campus clinical placements through the program plus an orientation program by the Queensland Ambulance Service. Refer to More Details for further information. |
Year | Number of Students |
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2022 | 707 |
2021 | 777 |
2020 | 642 |
2019 | 589 |
2018 | 583 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.
Mandatory health requirements include a medical assessment process, immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: COVID-19 (up-to-date status), Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Respirator mask fit testing is also an annual requirement for this course.
The COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory to be eligible to attend a WIL placement for this course. Students will be required to provide evidence of having an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination status by the closing date prior to a WIL placement. The vaccine received must be a vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia.
Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance and working with children check.
Other mandatory requirements include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, adherence to Ahpra policies for a registered student professional, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules.
Course Learning Outcomes | |||||||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | |||||||||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | |||||||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | |||||||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | |||||||||||
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | |||||||||||
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | |||||||||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | |||||||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | |||||||||||
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | |||||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | |||||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 24 | Total credit points: 144 |
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This detailed study plan is designed for full-time students who usually enrol in 4 courses per term (24 units of credit). Part-time students should therefore modify this schedule to suit their own needs. The normal study load for part-time students is 2 courses per term (12 units of credit).
Please refer to More Details for important details in relation to course availability.
Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
CHEM11042 | Fundamentals of Chemistry | |
BMSC11001 | Human Body Systems 1 | |
ESSC11004 | Study and Research Skills for Health Science | |
PMSC11001 | Foundations of Paramedic Science |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMSC11005 | Foundations of Biochemistry | |
MEDI11004 | Professional Practice | |
PMSC11002 | Foundations of Paramedic Clinical Practice | |
BMSC11002 | Human Body Systems 2 |
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMSC12007 | Neurological Physiology & Measurement | |
MBIO12013 | Microbiology for Health Care | |
PMSC12001 | Procedures and Skills in Paramedic Care | |
BMSC12006 | Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Measurement |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BIOH12008 | Human Pathophysiology | |
PMSC12002 | Clinical Paramedic Practice 1 | |
PMSC12003 | Special Populations in Paramedic Practice | |
BMSC12010 | Clinical Biochemistry |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PMSC13001 | Mental Health for Paramedics | |
PMSC13002 | Clinical Paramedic Practice 2 | |
PMSC13010 | Consolidated Paramedic Practice | |
BMSC13010 | Pharmacology |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PMSC13003 | Pharmacology in Paramedic Practice | |
PMSC13006 | Environmental Emergencies in Paramedic Practice | |
PMSC13004 | Clinical Paramedic Practice 3 | |
PMSC13005 | Trauma Care in Paramedic Practice |
Clinical placement
Students are required to complete three Clinical
Paramedic Practice units during the course, which amount to a minimum of 15
weeks (600 hours) of full-time work placement. Clinical placements are
invaluable in developing professional and clinical skills and workplace
literacy within the authentic clinical environment, and ensure high standards
of graduate work readiness and employability.
All clinical placements are undertaken primarily with
the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS). Due to state-wide demand for placement
positions, students must be prepared to travel to any location within
Queensland for clinical placements as a placement experience near your
residence is highly unlikely. This commonly involves staying away from home for
the duration of the placement, and taking leave from substantive employment and
other regular responsibilities to ensure availability for full-time 24/7
rostered work. Students with extenuating circumstances restricting ability to
travel and stay away from home are invited to submit requests for special
consideration, but should understand that these may not be fulfilled if there
are simply no available placement allocations within their home town.
The QAS has identified over 120 stations from 15
operational districts where students can undertake a clinical placement.
Students seeking clinical placement outside of the Queensland Ambulance Service
must understand that interstate placements are not readily available, and that
certain statutory Services only accept interstate placement requests from
students with pre-existing volunteer or employment relationships with those
Services. For further information please contact the Unit Coordinator for
clinical placements at paramedic.placements@cqu.edu.au
The three clinical placement units involve the
following on-road blocks. All placements must be completed as contiguous blocks
during the time period allocated to that placement unit.
PMSC12002 – Clinical Paramedic Practice 1 (2nd year,
Term Two) 5 weeks;
PMSC13002 – Clinical Paramedic Practice 2 (3rd year,
Term One) 5 weeks; and
PMSC130004 – Clinical Paramedic Practice 3 (3rd year,
Term Two) 5 weeks
There is no capacity for students to request split
blocks, custom dates, or to attend placement on specific days. Calendar dates
for these blocks may change from year to year depending upon state-wide
allocation availability, and are determined at the end of Term Two for the
following year. The dates are announced to all students at that time in an
information sheet, and can thereafter be found on the Sonia Home Page (clinical
placement management software) and the CG95 Portal (on Moodle).
The structure of all placement experiences is that you
average 40 hours per week of placement and you are placed at a 24-hour station
where you will be supervised to participate in clinical activity up to the
level of training which the academic unit aligns with.
Mandatory requirements for clinical placement
Students will be required to purchase the approved
Paramedic Clinical Placement uniform for wear during lab sessions, residential
schools, and clinical placement. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will also
need to be purchased from the CQUniversity Bookshop as a Workplace Health and
Safety requirement by Ambulance Services when on clinical placement. Non-adherence
to uniform and PPE requirements will result in immediate removal from clinical
placement.
All statutory Ambulance Services mandate that students
meet certain vaccination and health standards prior to attendance as well as
CQUni also identifying certain requirements to ensure student safety and
readiness for practice. Information on all of these requirements and associated
due dates is updated yearly and shared on the Sonia Home Page and the CG95
Portal; please also see the link below for QAS Clinical Placements website.
https://www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/clinicalplacements.html
Students must submit all QAS Mandatories and CQU
requirements to the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team by the due dates
stipulated through Sonia and thw WIL team. All requirements are non-negotiable,
so it is imperative that students review and begin working to meet these
requirements early.
1. Immunisation
and infection control
Full details are provided within the information sheet
on Sonia Home Page. Take these requirements to your GP and ask for your
immunisation record for all vaccines if available.
a) Hepatitis
B: The full age-appropriate vaccination schedule takes 7 months to complete (as
a minimum), and that the QAS and other Services do not accept the accelerated
version of vaccine.
b) Varicella
(chickenpox)
c) Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
(Adult)
d) Measles,
Mumps Rubella
e) Influenza
(annual commercially available dose)
f) Covid-19
vaccination (minimum 3 doses)
The following additional vaccinations are highly
recommended by QAS, but are not mandatory:
g) Tuberculosis
(TB) screening: Mantoux test or QuantiFERON Gold test
2. QAS Medical Assessment: This assessment must be
undertaken by KINNECT who are the contracted assessors for all medical
assessments for the QAS. Students are assessed against the same medical
standards as graduates to ensure that you meet the inherent requirements for
employment
3. Queensland Government issued Working With Children
Check (Blue Card): Students are required to have a valid Blue Card linked to
CQUniversity for the entirety their placements with the QAS . Students approved
for interstate placement must acquire the analogous screening for that State.
http://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/applications/need-to-apply-for-card.html
4. National Criminal History Check (NCHC). Any student
with a disclosable outcome on their NCHC must discuss the matter with the
Course Coordinator at hoc-ug-paramedic-science@cqu.edu.au upon course enrolment
or upon conviction being recorded (whichever is earlier)
5. QAS Annual Clinical Placement Orientation Checklist:
The QAS require this checklist to be completed prior to each and every clinical
placement unit.
6. Annual Quantitative mask fit testing
7. Current approved First Aid Certificate and CPR
certification: CQUniversity requires Paramedic Students to attain a first-aid
certificate from a registered training provider within the first term in the
first year of enrolment, and to maintain certification validity at the first
day of placement for PMSC12002 in 2nd year. Note that first aid certificates
expire every three years, whilst CPR certifications require annual renewal.