Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Bachelor of Science (Paramedical Science)

Effective from 01-JAN-2024 : Code K89

This course provides students with the knowledge and skills to deliver evidence-based paramedic care within a range of clinical, policy and organisational contexts. Students will develop paramedic clinical capabilities and an understanding of professional and ethical practice. Students will learn and demonstrate communication and safe clinical practice within public health, social, cultural and clinical paramedical science environments.

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

Students are required to undertake at least 400 hours of clinical practice placements in the following units as part of this course with partner healthcare providers in Western Australia: PSP1236 - 120 hours PSP2338 - 160 hours PSP3210 - 120 hours Designated unit: The practicum unit PSP1236 Paramedic Clinical Placements 1 is deemed to be a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by the Course Coordinator. Failure to pass this unit may result in exclusion from the course.

Duty of care

Students must be registered by the University with Ahpra as a paramedic student. Mandatory risk and health requirements must be met as part of this course. A person may not be able to complete the course if they do not meet the health and/or risk management requirements of Ahpra, the University and/or host healthcare agencies. Students are required to complete risk management protocols on commencement of the course and in subsequent semesters, as appropriate. Students are required to submit certain reports to ECU including (but not limited to) a first aid certificate, a National Police Clearance, Working with Children Card, immunisation records and other certifications. The costs of clearances are borne by the student, and fees are set by the relevant agencies. By enrolling in this course and any units with a placement requirement, students authorise ECU to disclose information contained in these reports to potential hosts and regulatory authorities. These records must be satisfactory to the University, relevant host or regulatory authority. The required learning outcomes in some of the compulsory practical units in this course may not be readily achievable or appropriate for persons with certain disabilities or medical conditions. Whilst ECU will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments, all students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the course, which are linked to professional and industry competencies. Students are encouraged to discuss any concerns these matters may create with the course coordinator prior to enrolment.

Attendance requirements

Students will be required to attend during the hours established by the host health agency providing the clinical placement, held across a full year. These hours may occur at times outside the identified semester weeks, and clinical practice periods may change with minimal notice to students due to circumstances outside the control of the School. As a 24/7 profession students may be rostered across a 24-hour period including day and night shifts.

Professional practice rules

From the first year of study, students will be expected to initiate and develop a professional portfolio that maps their progression towards professional practice and the national paramedic capabilities, as articulated by the professional accrediting body.

Implications of failing

The practicum unit PSP1236 is deemed to be a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by the Course Coordinator. Failure to pass this unit may result in exclusion from the course. If a student is unable to complete practicum requirements, they will be unable to progress and complete the degree.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply in depth knowledge of paramedicine principles, concepts and procedures, in accordance with legal, ethical and professional regulations.
2. Communicate with diverse professional practitioners, patients and observers using appropriate literacies, language and interpersonal skills.
3. Demonstrate autonomy and accountability for ongoing learning, professional practice and development of self and others.
4. Demonstrate respect for cultural diversity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and provide patient care with dignity and sensitivity.
5. Think critically to analyse, interpret and synthesise complex information from multiple sources to provide patients with safe clinical care.
6. Use clinical reasoning, judgement and problem-solving skills to formulate appropriate paramedic responses to patient problems in the emergency care environment.
7. Use digital technologies and multiple literacies to access, evaluate and share the key concepts of paramedic practice from globally diverse sources.
8. Work collaboratively with health practitioners, maintaining and enhancing the safety and health of self, patients and others in diverse work environments.

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Accredited by: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

This course has been Accredited by: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

Registration

Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Australasian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Registration with the Australasian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) is required to practice in the profession.

The Paramedicine Board requires completion of the Degree for Paramedic Registration.

Membership

Students can apply for membership with Australasian College of Paramedicine. Students are eligible for student membership of the Australasian College of Paramedicine.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 3)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Cert IV;
• Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Undergraduate Certificate;
• Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course; or
• Experience Based Entry Scheme.

English Language requirement (Band 5)

Students seeking registration with the Paramedicine Board of Australia will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency as specified in their English language skills registration standard (https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx).  These requirements are separate to ECU course admission English language requirements which are detailed below.

International students are required to provide an IELTS Academic with an overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0).  Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.  Acceptable tests are as follows:

• IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
  • 24 for listening
  • 24 for reading,
  • 27 for writing, and
  • 23 for speaking, or
• Any other accepted test or qualification from a recognised country as defined by the Paramedicine Board of Australia.

Note:  English tests must be completed within 2 years of the proposed course commencement date and additional requirements may apply in relation to acceptable number of test sittings and combined scores across test sittings.

Minimum English standard requirements for this course may also be satisfied with one of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;*
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
• Aboriginal Student Intake Test;*
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; or
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

Course Specific Admission Requirements

Portfolio pathway applications are not accepted for this course.

Reporting Obligations

ECU has an obligation to report details of all students enrolled in this course to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Ahpra requires the University to provide a list of paramedicine students on an bi-annual basis.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 3 Years
• Part Time: 6 Years

Course Delivery

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

Non standard timetable requirements

Students are required to attend skills workshops and clinical practicums outside of the standard timetable. Skills workshops require attendance at the Joondalup Campus, and clinical practicums require attendance at partner healthcare organisations in Western Australia.

Course Coordinator

Mrs Leanne VANCE

Course Structure

# Designated Unit - a Unit or Unit of Competency which a School has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by the School Progression Panel.