Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Master of Critical Care Paramedicine

Effective from 01-JUL-2020 : Code J84

Designed to provide the paramedic with the necessary knowledge and skills for a career in critical care. The course focuses on the clinical issues directly related to practice and develops a greater depth of understanding to enhance clinical decision making and critical thinking. Students will learn advanced-level clinical knowledge to apply to their daily paramedical practice, while at the same time learning advanced skills in evidence-based practice and research. The combination of advanced clinical knowledge and applied research knowledge and skills provides students with the ability to continuously improve their own clinical practice, as well as impact on the organisation they are employed by and the broader Paramedicine community.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Clinical or professional work placement Requirement

During the unit set, students will be required to undertake a clinical placement in anaesthetics and in Intensive Care.

Duty of care

To be eligible to undertake clinical practice and fulfil their duty of care, students are required to complete risk management protocols on enrolment and carry out amendments in subsequent semesters, as appropriate. Risk management protocols include, but are not restricted to: Certificate of National Police Clearance Evidence of immunisation status as per the Department of Health schedule, more information at www.health.wa.gov.au/circularsnew/circular.cfm?Circ_ID=12275 MRSA clearance if worked in, or been admitted to, a health facility outside of Western Australia in the 12 months prior to enrolment. Working with Children Check, more information at www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au

Attendance requirements

Students will be required to attend the practicum during the hours established by the clinical placement agency. These may occur at times outside the identified semester weeks or normal business hours. Clinical practice periods may change with minimal notice to students due to circumstances outside the control of the School.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Use high level self-management skills to initiate, appraise and operate in complex and dynamic critical care environments.
2. Apply communication, collaboration and clinical reasoning skills in professional critical care contexts.
3. Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories in authentic critical care paramedical contexts.
4. Reflect critically on a complex body of medical and paramedical knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate mastery of critical care paramedicine.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 8)

• Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 4)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Bachelor degree from a country specified in the Admissions Policy;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
• Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have a Bachelor's degree in Paramedicine, or a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Critical Care Paramedicine, with equivalents considered. Alternatively applicants can apply with equivalent prior learning including at least five years appropriate professional experience.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 1.5 Years
• Part Time: 3 Years

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time
• Online: Full Time, Part Time

Non standard timetable requirements

Onshore International Students must select at least 7 units on-campus mode of study in order to meet visa requirements. Students should be aware that some units may require on-campus attendance in addition to the normal semester periods. This course can be studied entirely online when suitable agreements have been established to provide supervision of the practical components of the course. However, if suitable supervisors and/or facilities are not available at the time, attendance at the Joondalup Campus will be required. In the absence of clinical placement settings, on-campus intensive workshops will be provided to meet the learning outcomes of individual units.

Course Coordinator

Mr David John FORD

Course Structure

Students who cannot complete the degree may be able to exit with a Graduate Certificate or a Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Paramedicine with Course Coordinator approval.