Paramedics are often the first contacts for a patient and provide emergency health care and transport.
Paramedics are often the first contacts for a patient and provide emergency health care and transport.
This program will provide you with a strong foundation in clinical sciences and paramedicine. You’ll explore all areas of paramedic practice including human pathophysiology, behavioural health, pharmacology, clinical leadership, and legal and ethical practice.
Our program is delivered by experienced paramedics and other professionals to provide you with clinical knowledge, skills and practice. Gain hands-on experience through real-life simulations in our specialised paramedic labs. From your first year you will complete clinical placements with the Queensland Ambulance Service (number of weeks is dependent on availability, previously 15 weeks). You will be required to undertake some of your clinical placements outside the Sunshine Coast region or in a rural area within Queensland.
On graduation you will be eligible to apply to AHPRA for registration as a Registered Paramedic and will be eligible to apply for employment with an emergency ambulance jurisdiction, private industry or seek registration and employment overseas. You’ll also be eligible to apply for professional membership with the Australasian College of Paramedicine.
Post-admission requirements
To be eligible to commence clinical placement you must provide evidence of having met all mandatory requirements by the Friday of Week 13 of Semester 1. Failure to do so will prevent you from commencing Clinical Placement and will delay the completion of your studies.
For more information about clinical placements and mandatory requirements, go to Paramedic Science - Clinical Practicums.
You will be required to purchase the student paramedic uniform (which includes shirt, trousers, boots, belt, personal protective equipment and soft shell jacket) before going on placement. The approximate cost of the full uniform set is up to $600. You will also be required to purchase other items of personal medical equipment such as a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer.
Career opportunities
Ambulance paramedic, pre-hospital emergency care, aeromedical, rescue and retrieval, remote and rural healthcare, clinical education.
Membership
During your study you are eligible for student membership of the Australasian College of Paramedicine.
^First year courses available from Semester 1, 2022.
Program structure
Introductory courses (9) 108 units
HLT100 Health Law and Ethics
HLT103 Preparation for Practice 3
LFS103 Contexts of Practice: Complex Care
PAR101 Nursing Practice 3
PAR102 Contexts of Practice: Mental Health Care
PAR103 Preparation and Nursing Practice 4
PSY103 Leadership in Clinical Practice
PUB112 Palliative, Rehabilitation and Continuing Care
SCI110 Life Crisis
Developing (9) 108 units
BIM263 The Child Client
HLT221 Nursing Internship
PAR200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety
PAR201 Introductory Bioscience
PAR202 Introduction to Dietetics
PAR203 Science Research Methods
PAR204 Communication and Thought
PAR212 Human Physiology
PAR222 Food in Society
Graduate courses (6) 72 units
HLT301 Public Health Foundations
PAR301 Chemistry
PAR302 Integrated Physiology
PAR311 Biochemistry
PAR312 Food Studies
PAR321 Principles of Nutrition
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
To undertake Clinical practicum in Queensland with QAS and other health care facilities, you must meet the Mandatory Requirements by Week 13 of Semester 1.
In order to commence clinical placement students must comply with the Mandatory Requirements including:
- Undergo and successfully complete a QAS Medical Assessment
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card). You should allow 12 weeks for Blue Card Services to issue the card.
- Obtain a National Criminal History check
- Comply with QLD Health vaccination requirements including Hepatitis B immunisation and Fluvax
- Hold a current First Aid and CPR certificate
- Hold a Mental Health First Aid certificate
For more information about Clinical Practicum and the Mandatory Requirements checklist refer to Paramedic Science – Clinical Practicum.
Note: Students are required to commence action of the above requirements immediately after enrolling. Hepatitis B immunity can take up to six months to determine and the processing of your USC Blue Card can take up to 12 weeks.
Program notes
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods, including case studies, essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, clinical scenarios (OSCA’s) and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- The Study Overseas Program is not currently available to paramedic students.
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Students will be required to cover all additional costs associated with this program. Information outlining the current requirements will be made available to all prospective applicants, and students will be provided more detailed information on starting the program.
- Some courses within this program must be completed over the Summer and Winter Semesters and require students to commit to full-time unpaid employment.
- Not available to international students on a Student Visa.
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses
- Students may be required to complete up to 50% of their clinical placements outside of the Sunshine Coast Region.