In the Bachelor of Paramedic Science you will learn to apply knowledge of emergency medicine to clinical practice as a health professional . You will develop a high level of evaluative and diagnostic skills so you can rapidly assess patients and implement best practice emergency care in a safe and effective manner.
You will also develop high level communication skills so you can interact positively with patients and other health professionals in the clinical work environment. Clinical decision making and problem solving ability will be developed through the use of scenario based learning techniques and exposure to ‘real world' conditions while on placement 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 - 2024
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 |
Rank Threshold | SR 75 | ATAR 75 |
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand,
United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America you are
required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the
University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:
Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years
between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must
appear on a single result certificate.
Each student will be assessed individually.
NOTE:
Students are required to obtain a valid
first-aid certificate with a current CPR certification prior to enrolment in
unit PMSC11002.
English (4, SA), Maths B (4, SA), Chemistry, Biology, Science.
Students who have not studied chemistry are advised to enrol in an introductory chemistry unit at CQUniversity. The recommended unit of study is CHEM40079.
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | CL13 - Diploma of Health Science |
Accreditation |
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Compulsory Residential School | All students will be required to attend compulsory residential schools for some units. At times there may be a requirement to complete residential school in Cairns, Townsville or Rockhampton. See "More Details" for further information. |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
PMSC12002 - Students are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) of compulsory off-campus clinical placements through the course plus an orientation program by the Queensland Ambulance Service. Refer to More Details for further information. This unit requires the student to complete 5 weeks of clinical placement |
PMSC13002 - Students are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) of compulsory off-campus clinical placements through the course plus an orientation program by the Queensland Ambulance Service. Refer to More Details for further information. This unit requires the student to complete 4 weeks of clinical placement |
PMSC13004 - Students are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) of compulsory off-campus clinical placements through the course plus an orientation program by the Queensland Ambulance Service. Refer to More Details for further information. This unit requires the student to complete 4 weeks of clinical placement |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 563 |
2023 | 582 |
2022 | 707 |
2021 | 777 |
2020 | 642 |
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 are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks. They are outlined in the health, security, and other compulsory requirements sections. Industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures determine mandatory checks. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date before 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) for the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Quantitative Respirator mask fit testing is also an annual requirement for this course.
Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.
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: 23 | Total credit points: 144 |
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This detailed study plan is designed for full-time students who usually enrol in 4 units 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 units per term (12 units of credit).
Please refer to More Details for important details in relation to unit availability.
Clinical placement
Students are required to complete three Clinical Paramedic Practice units during the course, which amount to a minimum of 15 weeks of full-time work placement. Clinical placements are invaluable in developing professional and clinical skills and workplace literacy within the authentic clinical and operational environment and ensure high standards of graduate work readiness and employability.
Due to the very high demand for placement positions, students must be prepared to travel to any location within Queensland with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) to attend your clinical placements as a placement experience near your residence is highly unlikely.
The three clinical placement units embedded in the Course include the following units:
PMSC12002 – Clinical Paramedic Practice 1 (2nd year, Term One) for 5 weeks in duration;
PMSC13002 – Clinical Paramedic Practice 2 (2nd year, Term Three) for 5 weeks in duration; and
PMSC13004 – Clinical Paramedic Practice 3 (3rd year, Term Two) for 5 weeks in duration
There is no capacity for students to request split blocks, custom dates, attend placement in a part-time capacity or only on specific days of the week. The dates for all clinical placements will be available once students are enrolled into the Course.
Placement experiences are designed to provide an average of 40 hours per week at a 24-hour station. Under direct supervision, students will engage in clinical and operational activities, with participation aligning with the academic unit of enrolment.
Interstate Clinical Placements
The following outlines what availability, if any, is afforded to students who reside in other states or territories other than Queensland.
STATE / TERRITORY | POSSIBILITY OF PLACEMENTS WITH THE AMBULANCE JURISDICTION OF THAT STATE OR TERRITORY | CLINICAL PLACEMENT LOCATION |
Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Tasmania Western Australia Northern Territory |
No | All students who reside in these states/territories must undertake all clinical placements with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) |
South Australia | To be eligible to participate in placements with the South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS), students must be enrolled in the Graduate Paramedic Pathway (GPP) offered by the SAAS. |
All other students must complete all placements with the QAS who: · are staff of the SAAS (paid or unpaid) but are not on the GPP; or · reside in SA but are not staff (paid or unpaid) of the SAAS. |
Victoria | Students employed by Ambulance Victoria (AV), whether in a paid or unpaid capacity, are eligible to submit an Expression of Interest to the Unit Coordinator for participation in clinical placements with Ambulance Victoria. [1] | All students who are not approved by AV must undertake all clinical placements with the QAS. |
Outbound Mobility (International)
CQUniversity offers opportunities for students to engage in International Outbound Mobility tours. Participation in CQUniversity-approved and supervised international engagements will support a maximum of two (2) weeks of credit toward the student's next scheduled clinical placement unit.
Placements with non-state or territory ambulance jurisdictions
With the exception of overseas clinical placement activity, placements with any private companies are not approved.
Contacting placement providers
All CQUniversity students are not permitted to make contact with any ambulance jurisdiction to discuss clinical placement opportunities. All placements with ambulance jurisdictions must be coordinated centrally through either the WIL team or academic unit coordinators.
Mandatory requirements for clinical placement
Students will be required to purchase, from the CQUniversity Bookshop, the approved Paramedic Clinical Placement uniform for wearing during lab sessions, residential schools, and all clinical placements. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will also need to be purchased from the CQUniversity Bookshop as a Workplace Health and Safety requirement by all 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 CQUniversity also identifying certain requirements to ensure student safety and readiness for practice. Information on these requirements and associated due dates is communicated, and available, via the WIL team.
All requirements are non-negotiable and are required to be successfully achieved by specific timeframes. Please contact the WIL team via wil-hmas@cqu.edu.au to discuss further.
The broad categories of mandatory requirements include, but not limited to:
Immunisations and vaccinations
Medical Assessment
Working With Children Check (also known as a Blue Card)
National Criminal History Check (NCHC)
Quantitative mask fit testing
First Aid & CPR
Ambulance service hosted clinical placement Orientation and Declarations.
The above can change without notice by ambulance jurisdictions and/or Health Departments. For further information pertaining to the above requirements, please discuss with the WIL team as well as refer to https://www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/clinicalplacements.html
Prospective students who have further enquiries should contact 13 27 86.
[1] The current Deed of Agreement between CQUni and AV restricts the number of placements available to CQUni students therefore, being an employee of AV does not automatically qualify you to be eligible to undertake placements with AV. Your Expression of Interest will be considered on a case-by-case basis with AV. In the event that AV does not approve your request, all placements must be undertaken with the QAS.