This course provides you with the skills, knowledge, clinical reasoning and leadership strategies to meet the role of a paramedic specialising in primary healthcare practice. The paramedic with a focus on primary healthcare practice is an advanced healthcare professional who can provide essential services in the non-emergency, out-of-hospital, low acuity or primary healthcare settings. You will apply clinical judgment, problem-solving skills and ethical decision-making in primary healthcare practice for various age groups and diverse populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to deliver primary healthcare paramedic practice as well as possess the ability to identify alternative pathways within the healthcare system to effectively and independently manage a broad range of common chronic and low acuity disease states. This care is a patient-centred approach that ensures you are a competent and yet diverse clinical practitioner who can meet low acuity healthcare needs of the community. Additionally, this role often involves leadership within both the paramedic profession and the healthcare system that can support a range of activities from education to managerial needs.
The Master of Paramedic Science (Primary Healthcare Practice) supports graduates to operate in the expanding professional areas of paramedic practice. The course provides you with the knowledge and skills to move towards primary healthcare paramedic roles including extended care, community care, low acuity care and paramedic practitioner.
Duration | 1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 72 |
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 postgraduate 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 | Postgraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | MParamedSci(PrimaryHealthPrac) |
AQF Level | Level 9: Masters Degree (Coursework) |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
Not Applicable |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must hold:
· Current registration as a paramedic with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA); and
· A minimum of 3 years unsupervised clinical operational experience at a paramedic level, or
· A minimum of 1 year of clinical operational experience in a specialist role such as intensive or critical care paramedic.
Employment experience must be shown in a letter of employment which is presented on a company letterhead as well as signed and dated by a delegated authority. The letter must contain your full name, position title, duties performed, and length of service.
English Language Proficiency Requirements:
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.
Paramedic students’ English language skills are directly aligned with the requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Prior studies in the paramedic science discipline area.
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | Not applicable |
Accreditation |
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Compulsory Residential School | Some units in this course will require compulsory attendance at residential schools. |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
PMSC28001 - Students will undertake Work Integrated Learning placements with primary healthcare providers within this unit to gain experience and develop primary healthcare knowledge and skills. |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 7 |
2023 | 5 |
2022 | 3 |
2021 | 4 |
2020 | 4 |
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 immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. 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.
Other mandatory requirements include student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, adherence to AHPRA policies for a registered 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 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice | ||||||||
2. KNOWLEDGE Have an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning | ||||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship | ||||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice | ||||||||
5. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level | ||||||||
6. SKILLS Have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences | ||||||||
7. SKILLS Have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship | ||||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning | ||||||||
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use high level personal autonomy and accountability | ||||||||
10 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship. | ||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Communicate, interact and collaborate with others effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 9 | Total credit points: 72 |
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Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PMSC20012 | Primary Healthcare 1 | |
PMSC28002 | Evidence-based Practice 1 | |
PMSC20013 | Primary Healthcare 2 | |
PMSC28003 | Evidence-based Practice 2 | |
MEDS20009 | Science and Instrumentation of Ultrasound | |
MEDS20013 | Diagnostic Ultrasound for Point of Care (PoCUS) | |
PMSC20014 | Primary Healthcare Engagement | |
PMSC29001 | Transition to Practice | |
PMSC28001 | Primary Healthcare Placement |
WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING (WIL)
In the unit PMSC28001 Primary Healthcare Placement, students are expected to undertake 120-144 hours of Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Where possible, students will be asked to approach suitable providers convenient to their residential location, however, due to competing demands for clinical placement positions, students must be prepared to travel to alternate locations. This may involve distance travel or staying away from home to facilitate the placement, and taking leave from substantive employment and other regular responsibilities to ensure availability. This is due to some service providers' preference for 'block' placements rather than ad-hoc shifts. Any travel or accommodation expenses will be at the student’s own cost. Students with extenuating circumstances restricting ability to travel and stay away from home are invited to discuss requests for special consideration with the Unit Co-ordinator.
Please note: Any student who has within the last 12 months NOT attended the PMSC20013 Primary Healthcare 2 residential school MUST contact the Unit Coordinator to arrange repeat attendance of the PMSC20013 residential school at their own cost PRIOR to undertaking any clinical placement.
Mandatory requirements for WIL
Students will be provided information on and be required to purchase an approved CQUniversity shirt for wear during WIL. Students will also be required to provide their own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as a Work Health and Safety (WHS) requirement when on clinical placement. Non-adherence to uniform and PPE requirements will result in immediate removal from WIL.
Many health service providers 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. Information regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements, security requirements and health requirements can be found in the Handbook course page under ‘Getting Started/What do I need to start?’. Enrolled students will receive further information and instruction on how to meet these requirements via the Sonia Home Page which will be provided to students in a timely manner prior to WIL. Students must submit all mandatory requirements to the Schools Work Integrated Learning Officers by the stated due date to be deemed eligible to attend WIL. Students must also be aware of and fulfil the inherent requirements to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course, some of which are particularly relevant to WIL. If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. The inherent requirements are listed in the Handbook course page under ‘Getting Started/Inherent Requirements.
All mandatory requirements are non-negotiable, so it is imperative that students review and begin working to meet these requirements early.
WHS orientations/inductions
Many workplaces stipulate that students must undertake induction procedures prior to commencing WIL. Students must therefore be prepared to undertake this extra workload to facilitate placement.
RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS
Student studying this course will be required to attend compulsory residential schools for some units.