Course Outline
PAR103 Paramedic Foundation Practicum 1
Course Coordinator:Jack Williams (jwillia6@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Paramedicine
2023Session 8
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 course is designed to be an experiential learning opportunity as a member of an operational paramedic crew. Students will also undertake supervised health assessments and activities in the aged care setting. Students will be required to work through a range of learning activities outlined within a specifically designed student clinical and professional objectives learning tool. Students will complete and submit a portfolio which will form the basis of assessment for this course.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Students are to participant in pre placement intensive. Will be 5 x 6hr days of face to face lab work. Will be scheduled according to placement | 6hrs | Not applicable | 5 times |
| Placement – Students will complete clinical placement with placement providers up to a maximum 4 weeks pending availability of the placement provider and the rostered shifts. | 160hrs | Not applicable | Once Only |
Course Topics
Introduction to work integrated learning as a member of an operational paramedic crew.
Application of knowledge and skills acquired in prerequisite courses during your WIL placement.
Experiential learning within the community setting.
Introduction to patient centred care for vulnerable populations in community
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 | Demonstrate PBA capabilities and core clinical competencies whilst under supervision. | Knowledgeable |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| 2 | Participates under supervision in work integrated learning and paramedic activities while demonstrating professional behaviours and adherence to Code of Conduct. | Engaged |
1.1.a, 1.1.b, 1.1.d, 1.1.e, 1.1.i, 1.2.b, 1.2.c, 1.2.d, 1.3.a, 1.3.b, 1.1, 1.3 |
| 3 | Identify and report on barriers to effective communication with the health team members and patients observed while undertaking clinical practicum and propose strategies to improve communication | Empowered |
2.1.a, 2.1.b, 2.1.c, 2.1.d, 2.1.e, 2.1.f, 2.1.g, 2.1.h, 2.2.a, 2.2.b, 2.2.c, 2.2.e, 2.2.f, 2.1, 2.2 |
| 4 | Reflect on professional paramedic practice using ethical and professional codes of conduct while adhering to medico-legal responsibilities | Ethical |
1.1.a, 1.1.b, 1.1.c, 1.1.d, 1.1.e, 1.1.j, 1.1.k, 1.2.d, 1.3.a, 1.3.b, 1.1, 1.4, 2.1.c, 4.2.a, 5.1.d, 5.1.e |
| 5 | Analyse and report on clinical or operational experiences that demonstrates an understanding of the factors associated with patient outcomes | Creative and critical thinker |
3.1.a, 3.1.b, 3.2.a, 3.2.b, 3.2.c, 3.2.d, 3.2.e, 3.2.f, 3.3.a, 3.3.b, 3.3.c, 3.3.d, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1.a, 4.4.b, 4.4.c, 4.4.d, 4.4, 5.2.a, 5.2.e, 5.3.a, 5.3.b, 5.3.d, 5.3.e, 5.3.f, 5.4.b, 5.4.c, 5.2, 5.4 |
* 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.i | Exercise appropriate levels of autonomy and professional judgement in a variety of practice settings. |
| 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.a | Recognise and respond appropriately to unsafe or unprofessional practice. |
| 1.3.b | Integrate organisational directives, policies, procedures and guidelines with Professional standards. |
| 1.1.c | Follow mandatory and voluntary reporting obligations. |
| 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. |
| 1.1 | Practise ethically and professionally, consistent with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements |
| 1.3 | Assume responsibility, and accept accountability, for professional decisions |
| 1.4 | Advocate on behalf of the patient, when appropriate in the context of the practitioner’s practice as a paramedic |
| 2 | Domain 2: The communicator and the collaborator |
| 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.e | Use appropriate communication skills to effectively manage avoidance, confusion and confrontation particularly with those who cannot communicate verbally or physically. |
| 2.1.f | Identify and effectively manage communication barriers, including anxiety and stress, specific to individual patients and/or carers. |
| 2.1.g | Make appropriate adjustments to communication style to suit the needs of the patient including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. |
| 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. |
| 2.2.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. |
| 2.2.e | Consult effectively with healthcare team members and other relevant people to facilitate continuity of care. |
| 2.2.f | Make appropriate referrals, delegations and handovers to other healthcare team members and other service providers. |
| 2.1 | Communicate clearly, sensitively and effectively with the patient and other relevant people |
| 2.2 | Collaborate with other health practitioners |
| 3 | Domain 3: The evidence-based practitioner |
| 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. |
| 3.1.b | Make sensible, practical, and culturally safe decisions about their practice, taking account of all relevant information and the best interests of the people who use, or are affected by, the service being provided. |
| 3.2.a | Apply evidence-based practice principles along with critical and reflective thinking to resolve clinical challenges. |
| 3.2.b | Demonstrate a logical and systematic approach to problem-solving and situation analysis. |
| 3.2.c | Analyse and critically evaluate the information collected to make clinical judgments. |
| 3.2.d | Recognise that clinical judgements involve consideration of conflicting information and evidence. |
| 3.2.e | Formulate a diagnosis informed by the patient assessment and analysis of context and situation. |
| 3.2.f | Identify the time criticality of treatment, referral, handover and where appropriate, transport. |
| 3.3.a | Select or modify approaches to meet the needs of patients, their relatives and carers, reflecting culturally safe practice when practicing. |
| 3.3.b | Practise situational awareness to changes in risks or hazards and change their practice as needed to take account of new developments. |
| 3.3.c | Using appropriate resources to support professional decision-making. |
| 3.3.d | Demonstrate a level of skill in the use of information technology appropriate to their practice. |
| 3.1 | Make informed and reasonable decisions |
| 3.2 | Use clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to determine clinical judgements and appropriate actions |
| 3.3 | Draw on appropriate knowledge, resources and skills in order to make professional judgements |
| 4 | Domain 4: The safety and risk management practitioner |
| 4.2.a | Demonstrate knowledge of legal responsibilities for health and safety of self and others. |
| 4.1.a | Follow patient identification procedures to confirm the correct match of a patient with the intended procedure, care and/or treatment. |
| 4.4.b | Keep accurate, comprehensive, logical, legible and concise records. |
| 4.4.c | Use only accepted terminology in completing patient records. |
| 4.4.d | Review, communicate, record and manage patient information accurately, consistent with protocols, procedures and legislative requirements for maintaining patient records. |
| 4.4 | Maintain records appropriately |
| 5 | Domain 5: The paramedicine practitioner |
| 5.1.d | Understand the legal requirements that pertain to completing and maintaining health records. |
| 5.1.e | Ensure correct verification and management of information and patient privacy. |
| 5.2.a | Identify factors or conditions that may affect the patient behaviour and/or capacity to undergo the procedure. |
| 5.2.e | Identify and respond to a patient deteriorating condition, or inability to undergo a procedure or treatment, consistent with duty of care and statutory requirements. |
| 5.3.a | Understand the structure, function and pathophysiology of the human body, relevant to their practice, together with knowledge of health, human growth and development, disease, disorder and dysfunction. |
| 5.3.b | Understand the principles and applications of scientific enquiry, including the evaluation of treatment efficacy and the research process. |
| 5.3.d | Demonstrate an applied knowledge of human anatomy and physiology sufficient to understand the nature and effects of injury or illness and to conduct assessment and observation in order to establish patient management strategies. |
| 5.3.e | Understand psychological and social factors, including intergenerational trauma that impact and influence an individual in health and illness. |
| 5.3.f | Understand the clinical sciences underpinning paramedic practice, including physiological, pharmacological, behavioural and functional. |
| 5.4.b | Practice safely and effectively across the full range of patient presentations and circumstances. |
| 5.4.c | Arrive at a reasonable working diagnosis. |
| 5.2 | Assess and monitor the patient capacity to receive care |
| 5.4 | Conduct appropriate diagnostic or monitoring procedures, treatment, therapy or other actions safely |
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
PAR101 and PAR102 and 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
Limited Grading (PNP)
Details of early feedback on progress
Students will receive feedback from their clinical mentor during their WIL placement. At the completion of the placement, students will receive formal feedback on professional behaviours required to be exhibited while on clinical placement. This feedback is submitted to Canvas and reviewed by the Course Coordinator. When additional support has been identified by their mentor, students are required to contact their course coordinator at the earliest opportunity to ensure support can be facilitated.
Assessment tasks
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1a | Quiz/zes | Individual | 15 mins |
Refer to Format | Online Test (Quiz) |
| All | 1b | Practical / Laboratory Skills | Individual | Clinical skill station |
Refer to Format | In Class |
| All | 2 | Oral and Written Piece | Individual | 10 mins |
Refer to Format | In Class |
| All | 3a | Journal | Individual | 2000 |
Refer to Format | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 3b | Journal | Individual | N/A |
Refer to Format | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 3c | Code of Conduct | Individual | N/A |
Refer to Format | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All - Assessment Task 1a:Capability testing - Online knowledge quiz | |
| Goal: | Demonstrate the clinical examination of a patient and application of technical skills in accordance to the Paramedicine Board of Australia capabilities and the core clinical competencies. |
| Product: | Quiz/zes |
| Format: | The student is required to demonstrate knowledge of clinical skills during intensive week. |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 1b:Capability Testing - Practical Skill demonstration | |
| Goal: | In a simulated environment, you will demonstrate the clinical examination of a patient and application of technical skills in accordance to the Paramedicine Board of Australia capabilities and the core clinical competencies. |
| Product: | Practical / Laboratory Skills |
| Format: | The student is required to demonstrate knowledge of clinical skills during intensive week. |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 2:Clinical Case reflection | |
| Goal: | Demonstrate principles of reflection on patient centred care |
| Product: | Oral and Written Piece |
| Format: | To provide evidence of the principles of reflection, and ethical and clinical decision making using the Gibbs reflective model at an introductory emergency care level Group A: 30th January Group B: Week of the 27th February |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 3a:Journal for evaluating professional behaviour | |
| Goal: | Development of a portfolio of evidence of professional behaviours demonstrated during WIL experience |
| Product: | Journal |
| Format: | To provide evidence, and reflection on, of the demonstrated professional behaviours in accordance with the PBA capabilities, with feedback from the Clinical Supervisor and Officer in Charge at the QAS. The professional behaviour template is included in the course Clinical Practice Portfolio. Group A: 1700hrs 27th Jan Group B: 1700hrs 24th Feb |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 3b:Clinical Hours log | |
| Goal: | Development of a portfolio of evidence of professional behaviours demonstrated during WIL experience |
| Product: | Journal |
| Format: | During your WIL experience, you are required to complete four weeks of clinical placement. Attendance log must be signed by the Supervisor at the completion of each shift and, for QAS, confirmed by the OIC at the conclusion of the placement period. Group A: 1700hrs 27th Jan Group B: 1700hrs 24th Feb |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 3c:WIL experience in accordance with the Codes of Conduct | |
| Goal: | Development of a portfolio of evidence of professional behaviours demonstrated during WIL experience |
| Product: | Code of Conduct |
| Format: | To be eligible to pass, you are required to complete the clinical placement satisfactorily according to the criteria below. See Canvas for the link to the Code of Conduct. Group A: 1700hrs 27th Jan Group B: 1700hrs 24th Feb |
| 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 Editions | Elsevier |
Specific requirements
Please refer to the Undergraduate Clinical Placement Information Kit on SONIA for specific placement requirements. A USC Student Paramedic uniform and safety equipment as outlined in the Clinical Practicum workbook is mandatory
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
Limited Graded Course: This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause 4.1.3 and 4.1.4 of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Institutional Operating Policy of the USC. In a course eligible to use Limited Grades, all assessment items in that course are marked on a Pass/Fail basis and all assessment tasks are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades.
Assessment: Submission penalties
You must contact your Course Coordinator and provide the required documentation if you require an extension or alternate assessment.
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