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 - 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 | ATAR 75 |
English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent
English Language Proficiency Requirements
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the 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 the 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:
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the date of commencement of the study and must appear on a single result certificate.
International Students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Students will be required to procure and maintain a valid Working with Children Check (Blue Card) prior to undertaking Work-integrated Learning units.
Students will be required to undergo a mandatory Health Screening assessment and provide evidence of current mandatory vaccinations prior to undertaking Work-integrated Learning units.
English (4, SA), Maths B (4, SA), Chemistry, Biology, Science.
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | CL13 - Diploma of Health Science |
Professional Accreditation |
This course is fully accredited by the Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA). |
Learned Society Accreditation | Not applicable |
Compulsory Residential School | All students will be required to attend compulsory residential schools for some units. Residential schools may be held in Cairns, Townsville or Rockhampton. Information relating to residential school locations will be available to the students via the handbook. |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
PMSC12002 - Throughout the CG95 course, students are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) of compulsory off-campus clinical placements with a state or territory ambulance service. This unit requires the student to complete five weeks of clinical placement with Queensland Ambulance Service. |
PMSC13002 - Throughout the CG95 course, students are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) of compulsory off-campus clinical placements with a state or territory ambulance service. This unit requires the student to complete four weeks of clinical placement with Queensland Ambulance Service. |
PMSC13004 - Throughout the CG95 course, students are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) of compulsory off-campus clinical placements with a state or territory ambulance service. This unit requires the student to complete six weeks of clinical placement with Queensland Ambulance Service. |
Year | Number of Students |
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2022 | 641 |
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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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.
Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
CHEM11042 | Fundamentals of Chemistry | |
BMSC11001 | Human Body Systems 1 | |
PMSC11002 | Foundations of Paramedic Clinical Practice | |
ALLH11009 | Research Methods for Health Professionals |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMSC11002 | Human Body Systems 2 | |
BMSC11005 | Foundations of Biochemistry | |
PMSC11004 | Paramedic Medical Emergencies 1 | |
PMSC12001 | Procedures and Skills in Paramedic Care |
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMSC12010 | Clinical Biochemistry | |
MPAT12001 | Medical Pathophysiology | |
BMSC12007 | Neurological Physiology & Measurement | |
PMSC12004 | Advanced Electrophysiology and Coronary Care |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BMSC12014 | Pharmacology for Health Professionals | |
PMSC12002 | Clinical Paramedic Practice 1 | |
PMSC12003 | Special Populations in Paramedic Practice | |
PMSC12005 | Paramedic Medical Emergencies 2 |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PMSC13002 | Clinical Paramedic Practice 2 | |
PMSC13001 | Mental Health for Paramedics | |
PMSC13012 | Paramedic Medical Emergencies 3 | |
ALLH12006 | Evidence Based Practice for Health Professionals |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PMSC13004 | Clinical Paramedic Practice 3 | |
PMSC13010 | Consolidated Paramedic Practice | |
PMSC13011 | Trauma and Emergency Management |
Ambulance
Service Employment Conditions
Students
should be aware before entering the course that Ambulance services in Australia
have inherent requirements for employment that preclude people with certain
health conditions. Please see specific statutory Ambulance Service websites for
further information; details for the Queensland Ambulance Service can be found
at the following link:
https://www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/clinicalplacements.html
Entry Requirements:
Students without Senior English, Senior Science (in particular
Chemistry) and Senior Mathematics are strongly urged to undertake the Skills
for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS course).
Credit for Prior Learning:
Diploma
of Paramedical Science Pathways:
Pathway
1
HLT51015
Diploma of Paramedical Science
Credit may
be awarded for up to 4 units for students with a current HLT51015
Diploma of Paramedical Science completed externally to CQUniversity.
Pathway
2
HLT51015
Diploma of Paramedical Science CQUniversity
Some courses have specific timeframes regarding the completion of prior study or may be deemed unsuitable for granting credit if granting credit will conflict with the relevant professional accrediting body, statutory authority or industry requirements. Credit is normally granted only for unit satisfactorily completed in the last 2 years for clinical units and in the las 5 years for theoretical units at a recognised educational institution.
Credit may
be awarded for up to 5 units for students with a current CQUniversity
HLT51015 Diploma of Paramedical Science.
The credit calculator
may assist by providing an estimate of the credit you may be eligible to
receive towards your CQUniversity Course
For further information regarding credit and how to apply
please visit Credit
Transfers and RPL.
Clinical
placement
Students are required to complete three Clinical Paramedic Practice units during
the degree, 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 home placement is very 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.
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.
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) 2 weeks Rural and 2 weeks Urban
PMSC130004 – Clinical Paramedic Practice 3
(3rd year, Term Two) 6 weeks
There is no capacity for students to request split
blocks, custom dates, or to work only on their days off. 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).
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,
whilst the University also has 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 Schools Work Integrated Learning Officers by the stated due
date for that year to be deemed eligible to attend clinical placement. 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.
Hepatitis B: It is strongly advised that students have
a blood test to check their immunity upon enrolment, so that if found not
immune, they can commence their Hepatitis B vaccination schedule immediately during
1st Year. Note that the full age-appropriate vaccination schedule can take
7 months to complete, and that the QAS and other Services do not accept the
accelerated version of vaccine.
Varicella (chickenpox).
Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (Adult).
Measles, Mumps Rubella.
Influenza.
The following additional vaccinations are highly recommended
by QAS, but are not mandatory:
Tuberculosis (TB) screening: Mantoux test or
QuantiFERON Gold test
Meningococcal W & Y Vaccination: 15-19 year
olds may access the free Meningoccoccal ACWY Vaccination program; other
students should discuss this with their GP. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/640147/faq-meningococcal-acwy-program.pdf
2. QAS
Medical Assessment: This medical requires students to have a Body Mass Index (BMI)
of 33 or less (36 or less for Indigenous applicants) to be pronounced ‘Fit for
Duty’. If you do not meet this criteria, your placement for that year will be
cancelled and you have to re-do the unit and the medical again the next year.
3. Blue Card: Students
are required to have a valid Blue Card linked to CQUniversity for the duration
of their placement with the Queensland Ambulance Service. 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. QAS Annual Clinical
Placement Orientation Checklist: The QAS require this checklist to be completed
prior to each and every clinical placement unit.
5. 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.
Residential
School Requirements
Students
studying the CG95 Course will be required to attend compulsory residential
schools for some units.
Click here to
view Residential Schools for all units.
Year
Two & Three - Combined Residential Schools
Please
note: It is highly recommended that students enrol concurrently
in PMSC13010 and PMSC13011 in year three as residential schools for these units
run consecutively.
It is
also a requirement that students in their second year study both PMS12001 and
PMSC12004 consecutively.
St John's Ambulance Membership
It is highly recommended that all
students enrolling in CG95 become members of St John's ambulance as this will
complement your studies in the first 18 months of the course and give you
exposure to the ambulance world prior to clinical placement.
Professional
Accreditation
As a
student you are eligible for membership with Student Paramedics Australasia
(SPA), Australian & New Zealand College of Paramedicine. Links to
memberships can be found here.
https://www.anzcp.org.au/membership/
http://www.studentparamedic.org.au/membership
Computing
Requirements
It is
a requirement of enrolment in this course that students have access to the
CQUniversity website. Students may be required to undertake various components
of study in the course using email and the Internet.
It is
strongly recommended that students have access to a broadband connection or
higher to access online student resources that include but are not limited to,
email, Internet, video streaming and electronic assessment submission.
Students
will be required to have computer access whilst on clinical placement; students
are unable to access QAS computers therefore to complete other unit
requirements and assessment pieces for clinical placement a laptop computer is
highly recommended. Students unable to have access to a laptop are to contact
the unit coordinator prior to clinical placement.