• Program summary
• Program overview
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Special features
• Advanced standing, recognition of prior learning, credit and articulation
• Program structure
• Program requirements and notes
• Enquiries
• Recommended enrolment pattern

Program summary

QTAC code: 013431
OP/Rank for 2009 entry: OP-17 / Rank-66
Award abbreviation: BParamedicSc
Duration: 3 years full-time
Mode: on campus
Total units: 288
Fee type 2009: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places
Required prior study: Nil
Recommended prior study: English, maths, and at least one of the sciences.
Commence: Semester 1 only
CRICOS code: not currently available to international students on student visas

Program overview

The Bachelor of Paramedic Science prepares you for employment as a qualified Advanced Care Paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), or with other Australian state and territory ambulance services.

The result of a unique partnership between the QAS and USC, the unique program offers a strong foundation in clinical and paramedic sciences. You will develop a grounded set of professional skills for paramedic practice by gaining knowledge and skills in communication, evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, problem solving and the development of sound clinical judgment.

You will also develop an understanding of the contemporary role of paramedics as both professionals in the community and an essential part of the greater medical and allied health team.

Once you have completed the foundation courses, you will focus on learning to use both thematic and patient-focused, case and problem-based learning strategies. Paramedic practice is integrated through the application of acquired clinical knowledge, with progressive development of practical and interpersonal skills across the paramedic and allied health disciplines of pre-hospital emergency care and primary healthcare practice.

Each year, you will undertake clinical practicums to enhance your learning. These include on-road clinical placements with QAS Ambulance Paramedics, as well as in-hospital training. By the end of your degree, you will have developed the high level of knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgment required to enter the professional industry.

Professional recognition

Bachelor of Paramedic Science students can apply for membership of the Australian College of Ambulance Professionals Student Association. Graduates of the program are eligible for full membership of the Australian College of Ambulance Professionals.

Career opportunities

Paramedics work in the following areas:

• pre-hospital emergency care 
• public and private ambulance services 
• aeromedical, rescue and retrieval 
• mining, energy, resource, construction and tourism 
• remote and rural health care 
• major incident/disaster response providers 
• clinical education

Special features

• unique partnership with the QAS ensures graduates are ready to work in the industry 
• excellent employment opportunities—paramedics are in demand 
• the academic team leading and teaching the program is made-up of clinical experts in the industry 
• clinical placements with the QAS are integrated into each year of the program

Program structure

Introductory courses

10 required courses:
BIM263 Introduction to Pharmacology
LFS122 (C) Human Anatomy
LFS112 (C) Human Physiology
LFS103 (C) Introductory Bioscience
PAR101 Professional Studies 1
PAR102 Paramedic Clinical Foundations 
PUB112 Public Health Foundations
PAR121 Health, Culture and Society
PAR131 Research Foundations for Health Practice
PAR221 Human Pathophysiology

Advanced courses

14 required courses:
PAR103 Paramedic Foundation Practicum 1
PAR201 Paramedic Clinical Systems
PAR202 Paramedic - Medical Emergencies 2
PAR203 Paramedic Clinical Practicum 2
PAR211 Paramedic - Medical Emergencies 1
PAR212 Paramedic - Trauma and Environmental Emergencies
PAR222 Professional Studies 2
PAR231 Drug Therapy
PAR301 Paramedic - Obstetric and Paediatric Emergencies ##
PAR302 Paramedic Primary Care Practice ##
PAR311 Professional Studies 3 ##
PAR312 Paramedic Clinical Practicum 4 ##
PAR321 Paramedic Clinical Practicum 3 ##
PAR341 Challenges in Mental Health

Program requirements and notes

The QAS specifies the following requirements before you can undertake on-road ambulance clinical practicums:

1. Medical and health assessment
2. Health-related fitness assessment
3. Immunisation against Hepatitis B before undertaking the first clinical practicum. In addition, you will be advised to be immunised against the following: Tetanus, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Poliomyelitis
4. Psychometric assessment
5. Manual driver's licence (provisional is acceptable)  – required before commencing emergency driver training
6. Criminal history check
7. Refer to the Academic Rules.
8. Refer to explanation of terms.
9. Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns.

Further information outlining the current QAS requirements will be made available to all prospective applicants and students will be provided further detailed information on starting the program.

Other requirements

1. You will be required to cover all additional costs associated with this program, including the requirements above (total cost approximately A$500).

How to apply

Apply for an undergraduate program.

Enquiries

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au

## Not offered till 2010

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