The Bachelor of Paramedic Science is offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The aim of the Bachelor of Paramedic Science is the provision of a broad based education which covers the knowledge and skills required for paramedic practice, together with the political, administrative, social, epidemiological and legal environment which is applicable to the entire Australian health care system.

An appreciation of global trends within pre-hospital care will be encouraged through comparative investigations of practices of paramedics and emergency medical technicians from around the world. This broad base education aims to ensure graduates are equipped to function effectively as health care professionals and appreciate the roles and constraints of other health care professionals.

The course also aims to encourage critical thinking and resourcefulness, through the extensive use of problem based learning and clinical simulations, to ensure graduates are job ready for the demands of paramedic practice and have the ability to analyse and question current practices. Integrated with the challenges of a newly emergent profession, the course aims to promote a commitment to professionalism and contributions to growing a national professional entity.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the degree, the student should be able to:

  • demonstrate a sound underpinning knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology to a level required for effective diagnosis of patient conditions and rationalisation of treatments
  • demonstrate competence at patient care, through effective patient assessment, diagnoses, treatment and evaluation of care provided
  • direct an emergency health care team in a complex operation through effective leadership and communication
  • apply principles of safe work practices in the environment of out of hospital care
  • integrate paramedic practice within the broader context of health care with an appreciation of other health care professional roles and the policy and politics of health care systems
  • analyse the sociological, psychological, legal and ethical of aspects of paramedic practice within the wider context of holistic health care provision
  • synthesise effective oral presentation skills and professional writing through a proficient use of literature, data bases and practice guidelines
  • discuss the obligation for development of the profession and self through lifelong learning, acquisition of new knowledge and reflective practice
  • identify the link between evidence based practice and clinical practice guidelines used in Australia and internationally
  • discuss the variations in paramedic practice across Australia and the World
  • identify specific health care issues of indigenous people and outline strategies for effective delivery of care for indigenous people.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Paramedic Science a student must complete 108 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

HLTH1004  Human Bioscience  (4.5 units)
HLTH1305  Health Practitioner Practice 1  (4.5 units)
HLTH1306  Health Practitioner Practice 2  (4.5 units)
PARA1000  Introduction to Paramedic Practice  (4.5 units)
PARA1005  Introduction to Traumatic Emergencies  (4.5 units)
PARA1006  Introduction to Medical Emergencies (4.5 units)
PARA1007  Contemporary Approaches to Lifestyle Management  (4.5 units)
PARA1008  Integrated Clinical Physiology for Paramedics  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

HLTH2101  Epidemiology for the Social Determinants of Health  (4.5 units)
HLTH2105  Health: A Psychological Perspective  (4.5 units)
PARA2000  Pathophysiology 1  (4.5 units)
PARA2001  Pathophysiology 2  (4.5 units)
PARA2002  Paramedic Practice 1  (4.5 units)
PARA2005  Pathophysiology 3  (4.5 units)
PARA2006  Mental Health Emergencies  (4.5 units)
PARA2007  Paramedic Practice 2  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

HLTH3102  Qualitative Methods for Social Health Research  (4.5 units)
HLTH3105  Quantitative Methods for Social Health Research  (4.5 units)
PARA3000  Clinical Assessment  (4.5 units)
PARA3001  Emergency Law and Ethics  (4.5 units)
PARA3002  Clinical Decision Making  (4.5 units)
PARA3006  Applied Pharmacology  (4.5 units)
PARA3007  Applied Paramedic Practice  (4.5 units)
PARA3008  Pathophysiology 4  (4.5 units)

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

Except with the permission of the Course Committee, a student may not proceed to higher year topics unless they have satisfactorily completed the previous year's topics.  Exceptions to this rule include those students who study part-time or have achieved a higher education transfer from the Bachelor of Health Sciences.  In all cases special programs of study have been arranged.