Course Outline
PAR101 Paramedic Professional Studies
Course Coordinator:Joanna Cairns (jharris8@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Paramedicine
2024Semester 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
What is this course about?
Description
This is a foundation course in paramedicine professional studies, designed to introduce you to concepts crucial to the rapidly evolving field of paramedicine. This course will empower you with the key concepts and skills in paramedic professional practice. This course will introduce you to the nature of paramedic practice, foundational clinical skills; evidence based patient care, systems of health care delivery, professional communication skills and workplace health and safety.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Learning materials – Asynchronus learning materials are available in the weekly folders. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 12 times |
| Laboratory 1 – On campus for 3 hours each week. | 3hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Seminar – On campus face to face meeting for 1 hour during Orientation Week | 1hr | Orientation week | Once Only |
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus all of cohort face to face lecture to apply knowledge learnt in online materials. | 1hr | Week 2 | 6 times |
Course Topics
- History of prehospital ambulance care & the profession
- History & and orientation to the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS)
- Paramedicine professional values, attitudes & attributes
- Paramedicine as a profession & the expanding role of registered paramedics in health care
- Introduction to contemporary primary care practice
- Introduction to basic emergency care and resuscitation
- Introduction to WH&S & risk assessment
- Introduction to clinical governance and models of health service delivery
- Health politics and the economics of health service delivery
- Professional development and registered paramedics as life-long learners & reflective practitioners
- Professional communication and problem solving
- Foundation paramedic clinical skills
- Introduction to evidence based practice
What level is this course?
100 Level (Introductory)
What is the unit value of this course?
12 units
How does this course contribute to my learning?
| Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Paramedicine Board of Australia | |
| 1 | Identify the role of the professional paramedic within community-based health systems. | Knowledgeable |
1, 1.1.a, 1.1.b, 1.1.d, 1.1.e, 1.1.f, 1.1.h, 1.1.j, 1.1.k, 1.2.a, 1.2.b, 1.2.c, 1.2.d, 1.3.c, 1.1, 1.2 |
| 2 | Apply foundational paramedic skills within a clinical scope of practice to a safe and documented standard. | Empowered |
1.1.e, 1.2.b, 1.2.c, 1.3.c, 2.1.a, 2.1.b, 2.1.c, 2.1.d, 2.1.f, 2.1, 3.1.a, 3.2.b, 3.3.b, 4.1.a, 4.1.b, 4.1.c, 4.1.d, 4.1.e, 4.2.b, 4.2.d, 4.2 |
| 3 | Use a systematic approach to describe a standard health assessment to modify technique and remedy equipment failure. |
Knowledgeable Engaged |
1.1.h, 1.2.b, 1.2.c, 1.2.d, 1.3.c, 1.2, 2.1.a, 2.1.b, 2.1.c, 2.2.b, 2.2.c, 2.1, 3.3.b |
| 4 | Explain and use medical terminology to communicate a patient’s health care status and report clinical and operational information. | Knowledgeable |
1.1.a, 1.1.d, 1.2.b, 1.1, 2.1.h, 2.2.a, 2.2.b, 2.2.c, 2.2 |
* Competencies by Professional Body
| CODE | COMPETENCY |
| Paramedicine Board of Australia | |
| 1 | Domain 1: The professional and ethical practitioner |
| 1.1.a | Demonstrate understanding of: reporting obligations, legal responsibilities, legal requirements, ethical and professional responsibilities, and the legal and ethical boundaries of paramedicine practice. |
| 1.1.b | Manage personal, mental and physical health to ensure fitness to practice. |
| 1.1.d | Apply the Paramedicine Board of Australia’s Code of conduct to their practice. |
| 1.1.e | Provide relevant information to a patient and demonstrate appropriate methods to obtain informed consent. |
| 1.1.f | Demonstrate knowledge of Australia’s healthcare systems, their standards and requirements. |
| 1.1.h | Demonstrate culturally safe practice when providing healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. |
| 1.1.j | Operate within the current legislation applicable to paramedicine practice. |
| 1.1.k | Practise in accordance with the applicable legislation governing the safe use of scheduled medicines by paramedics in the jurisdiction of practice. |
| 1.2.a | Demonstrate understanding of the influence of socio-cultural factors on patient attitudes and behaviour. |
| 1.2.b | Display appropriate professional behaviour in patient interactions. |
| 1.2.c | Provide culturally safe care for all patients. |
| 1.2.d | Identify and respect appropriate boundaries between patients and health professionals. |
| 1.3.c | Apply relevant quality frameworks and processes to practice. |
| 1.1 | Practise ethically and professionally, consistent with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements |
| 1.2 | Provide each patient with an appropriate level of dignity and care |
| 2.1.a | Establish a rapport with the patient to gain understanding of their issues and perspectives, and to encourage their active participation and partnership in care and/or treatment. |
| 2.1.b | Communicate with the patient and/or other relevant people to collect and convey information and reach an agreement about the purpose of any care and treatment. |
| 2.1.c | Convey knowledge and procedural information in ways that engender trust and confidence, and respects patient confidentiality, privacy and dignity. |
| 2.1.d | Respond appropriately to patient queries or issues. |
| 2.1.f | Identify and effectively manage communication barriers, including anxiety and stress, specific to individual patients and/or carers. |
| 2.2.b | Demonstrate an understanding of professional roles and responsibilities of healthcare team members and other service providers and how they interact with the role of a paramedic. |
| 2.2.c | Follow appropriate protocols, procedures and guidelines to give and receive relevant and timely verbal and written communication. |
| 2.1.h | Make provisions to engage third parties, including interpreters, to facilitate effective communication with patients whose first language is not English, whenever possible. |
| 2.2.a | Establish and maintain effective and respectful collaborative working relationships as a member of a healthcare team. |
| 2.1 | Communicate clearly, sensitively and effectively with the patient and other relevant people |
| 2.2 | Collaborate with other health practitioners |
| 3.1.a | Operate within a framework of making informed, evidence-based, reasonable and professional judgements about their practice, with acting in the best interests of their patients as their primary concern. |
| 3.2.b | Demonstrate a logical and systematic approach to problem-solving and situation analysis. |
| 3.3.b | Practise situational awareness to changes in risks or hazards and change their practice as needed to take account of new developments. |
| 4.1.a | Follow patient identification procedures to confirm the correct match of a patient with the intended procedure, care and/or treatment. |
| 4.1.b | Obtain valid informed consent when possible. |
| 4.1.c | Identify and manage risks associated with patient transfers. |
| 4.1.d | Ensure when patients are required to be moved it is in a considered and safe manner. |
| 4.1.e | Identify and manage the risk of infection, including during aseptic procedures. |
| 4.2.b | Identify safety hazards in the workplace and apply knowledge of responsibilities for notification. |
| 4.2.d | Use appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment. |
| 4.2 | Maintain safety of self and others in the work environment |
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Pre-requisites
Enrolled in Program SC395 or SC306
Co-requisites
Not applicable
Anti-requisites
Not applicable
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)
Not applicable
How am I going to be assessed?
Grading Scale
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Details of early feedback on progress
Formative quizzes and feedback during tutorials provide students with early feedback on progress.
Assessment tasks
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1 | Quiz/zes | Individual | 20% | 2 X Quizzes 20 questions each |
Refer to Format | Online Test (Quiz) |
| All | 2 | Case Study | Individual | 40% | One case study submission (1500 words). |
Week 11 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 3 | Practical / Laboratory Skills | Individual | 40% | Up to 40 minutes |
Exam Period | Exam Venue |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Quizzes | |
| Goal: | The goal of this task is to develop non-technical skills to develop your professional clinical scope of practice. |
| Product: | Quiz/zes |
| Format: | Both tasks require responses to Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Task A and Task B online via Canvas. You will complete the quiz individually within a limited time frame. Weeks to be announced on the Canvas site. |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 2:Case study based report | |
| Goal: | The goal of this task is to ensure the safe and compliant practice through the development of information and digital literacy skills and evidence-based practice. The task guides your understanding of the role of the Registered Paramedic. |
| Product: | Case Study |
| Format: | You will individually submit, via Turnitin. Using a case study format you will report on the rapidly evolving Registered Paramedic role. You will locate and explain relevant literature, evidence based standards and guidelines applicable to paramedic practice. The information you explore will increase your awareness of your responsibilities to operate within a safe practice environment. |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 3:Focussed Skills Assessment | |
| Goal: | The goal of this task is to develop and safely perform skills required at an introductory scope of clinical practice. |
| Product: | Practical / Laboratory Skills |
| Format: | Focussed Skill Assessment: You will perform the task as an individual responder to a simulated health emergency. You are expected to perform a foundational health assessment, and basic life support skills to a safe standard within your current scope of practice. These skills provide a structure to determine the health needs and management of your patient. Demonstration of safe application of these skills will allow you to support your paramedic mentor during placement while under direct supervision. |
| Criteria: |
|
Directed study hours
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
What resources do I need to undertake this course?
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Prescribed text(s) or course reader
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.
| Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
| Required | Kate Curtis,Clair Ramsden,Margaret Fry,Ramon Z. Shaban,Julie Considine | 2019 | Emergency and Trauma Care for Nurses and Paramedics | 3rd edition | Elsevier |
Specific requirements
The paramedic program requires certain mandatory requirements which you should be familiar with and may affect your future progress through the program and/or on placement. Mandatory and Professional Requirements: Students need to be aware of the mandatory requirements outlined on the Paramedic Science – Clinical Practicums page https://www.usc.edu.au/learn/courses-and-programs/work-integrated-learning-wil/paramedic-science-clinical-practicums#clinical-placement-mandatory-requirements. In addition, you must be aware of the conditions that may result in you being withdrawn from clinical placement. Prior to enrolling in the Bachelor of Paramedic Science degree at UniSC, you were asked to read the inherent academic requirements listed in this statement and think about whether you might experience challenges in meeting them. https://www.usc.edu.au/learn/student-support/inherent-academic-requirements/bachelor-of-paramedic-science-inherent-academic-requirements If you think you might experience challenges related to your disability, health condition or for any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a University Disability Adviser or Faculty staff.
How are risks managed in this course?
What administrative information is relevant to this course?
Assessment: Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Assessment: Additional Requirements
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Assessment: Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
SafeUniSC
UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.
The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
Study help
For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
Wellbeing Services
Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
AccessAbility Services
Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.
Links to relevant University policy and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
- Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
- Review of Assessment and Final Grades
- Supplementary Assessment
- Central Examinations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Conduct
- Students with a Disability
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
Student Charter
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.
General Enquiries
-
In person:
- UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
- UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
- UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
- UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
- UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
- UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
- Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
- Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au