Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic)
Become a paramedic
CSU's Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) provides a pathway to working in emergency care and paramedic areas as a qualified ambulance officer.
CSU's Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) offers you a rewarding, fast-paced career that makes a difference to people's lives. You will acquire the knowledge and skills to work as a qualified paramedic in emergency care settings in any state of Australia and overseas.
This course is available to domestic students at Bathurst and Port Macquarie campuses, and to international students at Bathurst Campus only.
The course is also available by distance education to students already employed as qualified paramedics or medics in the Army, Navy or Air Force.
Reasons for studying
Clinical Practice (Paramedic) at CSU
- graduates will be able to pursue a fast-paced and rewarding career in emergency health care
- students will learn practical skills using state-of-the-art equipment and simulation facilities on campus.
What will I learn?
Students develop skills in clinical procedures such as advanced cardiac life support, ECG analysis and management, airway management including endotracheal intubation, laryngeal mask airways, cricothyrotomy, and percutaneous transtracheal ventilation. Advanced life support for paediatric patients is also covered. Students learn the principles and techniques of major incident prevention, preparedness, response and recovery and gain experience in major incident medical response principles through participation in a field exercise.
Workplace learning
Clinical placements in appropriate healthcare settings are undertaken as part of this course. Internal students are placed with an ambulance service or other appropriate site for a total of 400 hours during the course. Distance education students are not required to complete workplace learning as they will be employed as paramedics or Australian Defence Force medics for the duration of the course.
Additional admission requirements
Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:
-
Immunisation
-
National Criminal Record Clearance
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Senior First Aid Certificate
Credit
Credit for prior learning and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.
Course duration
3 years full-time on campus, 4 years distance education
Graduation requirements
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points for the degree. All on campus students must complete a clinical placement with an approved ambulance service.
Students will graduate from the Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) with the award BClinicalPrac(Paramedic).
What our students say
"The degree gives us exposure to exactly what we are going to see in the field. I am able to learn new things all the time from multiple facets, including communication, changing science, protocols, in pediatrics, geriatrics or rescue situations.
"The skills you learn far exceed what you learn in other university degrees. They are life skills that can have a practical application to real life situations."
Jordan Emery
Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) graduate
Academic expectations
For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.
Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.
Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).
Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.
Career opportunities
Graduates work professionally in paramedic occupations such as:
- ambulance officers
- paramedics
- emergency response personnel
- defence forces medics.
There are also opportunities to work with overseas paramedic organisations.
The course is recognised by industry and most ambulance authorities now offer graduate programs and specifically target CSU students.
The Ambulance Service NSW
The Ambulance Service of NSW (ASNSW) is a diverse organisation, employing over 3,500 people in a range of areas including front line positions such as paramedics, operations centre staff, flight nurses and patient transport officers and behind the scenes roles in communications, IT, payroll, workforce, public affairs and other corporate and administrative roles.
A career with ASNSW offers a range of employment opportunities for advancement and ongoing development. The ASNSW is unique in that it offers front line staff the opportunity to specialise into diverse areas such as Rescue, Special Casualty Access Team (SCAT), Aeromedical services, Snow operations, Rapid Response, Counter Disaster and Patient Transport Service.
Employment requirements
In order to be considered for employment with ASNSW, all applicants must demonstrate that they meet the following selection criteria:
- A high standard of medical fitness, physical fitness and strength appropriate to perform the requirements and duties of the position.
- Holding as a minimum, prior to commencing employment, an Unrestricted Australian Light Rigid Driver's Licence.
- A good driving history with a loss of no more than 6 demerit points lost in the past 3 years and no licence cancellation in the previous 2 years. Ambulance will consider all convictions, particularly those relating to driving whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, reckless driving, dangerous driving or those leading to loss of licence regardless of when it occurred.
- A good academic record, demonstrating successful completion of all subjects necessary to completing the degree.
- Immunisation status compliant with paramedic requirements against the following infectious diseases: Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella.
Ambulance services in other states
Graduates of this course are also eligible to seek employment in other Australian states or territories. For more information, visit:
Workplace learning
Hands on skills
Full-time students spend up to four hours each week practising their clinical skills in a simulated paramedic environment. To make sure you are experienced in using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include practice teaching laboratories containing the latest equipment needed for treating patients in the pre-hospital care environment.
Clinical internship
The clinical internship subject involves 400 hours of placement contact time in an authorised clinical setting.
Immunisation
NSW Health is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all clients in health care settings and providing a safe and healthy working environment for all staff and other clinical personnel, including students undertaking workplace learning. This commitment includes adopting an assessment, screening and vaccination policy Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specific Infectious Diseases (PD2011_005) that minimises the risk of acquiring infectious diseases. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement.
All students must undergo vaccination against infectious diseases prior to placement within the NSW Health System, and most other Australian State Health Systems. Results of these vaccinations are kept on a personal record card (available from the School through which the student is studying). This card must be presented, upon request, by NSW Health, or other State Health staff, whilst the student is on placement.
The Policy requires that you consult your local doctor to obtain written proof of protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and hepatitis B.
NOTE: It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the requirements of this policy have been met, and failure to comply with the requirements may jeopardise completion of your studies.
As a full course of vaccinations may take several months to complete, you are advised to consult your local medical practitioner well in advance of the commencement of your clinical experience placement. Please contact your medical practitioner to identify your local TB screening provider and ensure the screening is completed prior to your first clinical placement.
PLEASE NOTE that, as many courses involve clinical practicums in the first session of study, the hepatitis B immunisation should be commenced early, in order for full immunisation status to be attained prior to clinical placements and so meet NSW Health requirements.
Further information is available from NSW Health.
National Criminal Record Check
Students may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration under the Child Protection Act 1998 as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put students/clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.
As such, prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a criminal record clearance or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Furthermore, criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a course and/or employment opportunities after completing the course.
If you have any queries regarding these matters, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Director.
Senior First Aid Certificate
All students are required to have a current Senior First Aid Certificate, obtained at their own cost, from an accredited body (Workcover approved) before undertaking any workplace learning (e.g. clinical placements, practicums or internships). The Senior First Aid Certificate must be current for the duration of the course.
If you are an Enrolled/Division 2 Nurse or Paramedic you may instead provide documentation from a current employer which indicates evidence of competency based CPR accreditation.
NOTE: As many courses include a clinical practicum in the first session, students are advised to complete their Senior First Aid Certificate prior to commencement of their first year of study.
Course structure
The course comprises the following subjects:
APS301 Pharmacology for Paramedics
BMS191 Human Bioscience 1
BMS192 Human Bioscience 2
BMS291 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1
BMS317 Integrating Paramedic Medical Science
BMS327 Integrating Paramedic Trauma Science
CLS103 Paramedic Community Internship
CLS104 Foundations of Clinical Practice (16)
CLS201 Introduction to Medical Emergencies
CLS202 Life Span Health Issues and Paramedic Care
CLS203 Internship 1
CLS300 Advanced Cardiology and Paramedic Practice
CLS302 Internship 2
CLS307 Transition to Paramedic Practice
HLT330 Research Methods in Clinical Sciences
HSM202 The Dynamics of Health Care Practice
NRS246 Emergency Care in Mental Health
PHC100 Professional Communications
PHC180 Introduction to Paramedic Practice
PHC190 Paramedic Law and Ethics
PHC200 Health, Society & Paramedic Practice
PHC303 Evidence Based Practice
PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services
Key subjects in this course are:
CLS104 Foundations of Clinical Practice (16)
CLS201 Introduction to Medical Emergencies
PHC190 Paramedic Law and Ethics
CLS300 Advanced Cardiology and Paramedic Practice
Enrolment pattern
Standard enrolment pattern for full-time, on-campus study
Year 1 Session 1
BMS191 Human Bioscience 1
CLS103 Paramedic Community Internship
PHC180 Introduction to Paramedic Practice
PHC100 Professional Communications
Year 1 Session 2
BMS192 Human Bioscience 2
CLS104 Foundations of Clinical Practice (16)
PSY111 Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services
Year 2 Session 1
BMS291 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1
CLS201 Introduction to Medical Emergencies
CLS202 Life Span Health Issues and Paramedic Care
NRS246 Emergency Care in Mental Health
Year 2 Session 2
BMS317 Integrating Paramedic Medical Science
APS301 Pharmacology for Paramedics
PHC190 Paramedic Law and Ethics
CLS203 Internship 1
Year 3 Session 1
BMS327 Integrating Paramedic Trauma Science
CLS300 Advanced Cardiology and Paramedic Practice
HLT330 Research Methods in Clinical Sciences
PHC200 Health, Society & Paramedic Practice
Year 3 Session 2
CLS302 Internship 2
CLS307 Transition to Paramedic Practice
PHC303 Evidence Based Practice
HSM202 The Dynamics of Health Care Practice
Distance enrolment
Session 1 commencement
Year 1, session 1
CLS202 Life Span Health Issues and Paramedic Care
NRS246 Emergency Care in Mental Health
Year 1, session 2
PHC190 Paramedic Law and Ethics
BMS291 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1
Year 2, session 1
BMS327 Integrating Paramedic Trauma Science
HLT330 Research Methods in Clinical Sciences
Year 2, session 2
BMS317 Integrating Paramedic Medical Science
APS301 Pharmacology for Paramedics
Year 3, session 1
CLS300 Advanced Cardiology and Paramedic Practice
PHC200 Health, Society & Practice
Year 3, session 2
CLS307 Transition to Paramedic Practice
PHC303 Evidence Based Practice
HSM202 The Dynamics of Health Care Practice
Session 2 commencement
Year 1, session 2
PHC190 Paramedic Law and Ethics
BMS291 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1
Year 2, session 1
CLS202 Life Span Health Issues and Paramedic Care
NRS246 Emergency Care in Mental Health
Year 2, session 2
BMS327 Integrating Paramedic Trauma Science
APS301 Pharmacology for Paramedics
Year 3, session 1
BMS317 Integrating Paramedic Medical Science
HLT330 Research Methods in Clinical Sciences
Year 3, session 2
HSM202 The Dynamics of Health Care Practice
PHC303 Evidence Based Practice
Year 4, session 1
PHC200 Health, Society & Practice
CLS300 Advanced Cardiology and Paramedic Practice
Year 4, session 2
CLS307 Transition to Paramedic Practice
Distance students will be required to attend a residential school for CLS307 Transition to Paramedic Practice
Indicative ATAR
Due to limited places in the first intake of this course at Port Macquarie Campus, there is disparity in the ATAR between Bathurst and Port Macquarie campuses. The ATAR for both locations in the future is expected to be 70.00.
Study by distance education restrictions
Entry to the distance offering of this course is restricted to applicants who are:
- qualified paramedics employed full-time with an ambulance service and who have completed a minimum of two years service; OR
- full-time medics with the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) who have completed the Basic Medical Assistance course and have two years post-qualification experience
Students entering the distance offering of the course will be granted credit for 9 subjects (80 points) relating to foundation paramedic clinical skills and to two of the three placement subjects. Once students have completed at least four years of employment with an ambulance service or four years post-completion of the Basic Medical Assistance course credit will be granted for the remaining placement subject (8 points). Total minimum credit is 88 points towards the 192 required to graduate.
Additional credit may be granted for students who have training in excess of that listed above. Students are expected to remain employed in a paramedic or ADF medic role for the duration of the course.
Assumed knowledge
Assumed knowledge for the Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) includes any two units of English, chemistry and biology.
Mandatory competencies
This course has mandatory competencies that must be passed to ensure satisfactory course completion. Applicants with health, medical or other conditions may be unable to complete these mandatory competencies and hence be ineligible to graduate from the course.
Special admission
Special admission to the full-time course is available for mature aged students, educationally disadvantaged and others who are ineligible for ordinary admission as school leavers.
The following indicators may be used to demonstrate potential:
- relevant work experience or community service, health care or first aid activities
- in the case of school leavers, a report on academic performance from the school principal
- performance in tests and examinations conducted by professionally recognised bodies
- participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers
- completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
- other activities which provide evidence of motivation to succeed in the course and an awareness of the demands of university study.
International applicants are required to complete the International Language Testing System (IELTS) achieving an overall score of 7.0 to be eligible for admission.
Admission requirements
Previous studies
Previous studies include:
- the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
- the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
- a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
- a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
- an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
- completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.
NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.
Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.
English proficiency
Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they
- have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 7.0, and with no score lower than 6.5, within the last 12 months; or
- undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
- undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies; or
- completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;
The Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.
NOTE: A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programs deemed to be linguistically demanding.
Attainment and experience
You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:
- voluntary or paid work experience;
- performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
- participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
- completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).
Internet access
CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.
The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.
Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.
Costs of study
Australian and New Zealand students
Commonwealth supported place
You will make a student contribution (formerly HECS) towards the cost of your tuition fees.
Options:
- Defer your payment using a HECS-HELP loan, which is repaid through the taxation system once your income reaches a certain threshold
- Pay your fee contribution up-front each session and receive a 10% discount (if eligible)
| $7,416* | Student fee contribution for your first year of study |
|---|
* This is an indicative 2013 figure based on a standard equivalent full-time study load of eight 8 point subjects per year (64 points). Part-time and distance education students will usually study only four 8 point subjects per year (32 points).
International students
Help with costs
CSU provides financial assistance with the costs associated with university study.
Making University Affordable
Whether you choose full-time or part-time study, it can still be affordable.
Apply now
This course is available to commence study in
Session 1; Session 2
Australian and New Zealand students
Apply through UAC/VTAC
Full-time on campus study only
Bathurst - 214207
Port Macquarie - 214200
Apply online
Distance education - ESHP
International Students
CRICOS code
036176A
Apply online
On campus (Session 1 only) - ISPC (Bathurst Campus only)
Distance education (Session 1 and Session 2) - JSPB
Recruitment agent
Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.
Prospective Student Inquiries
Australian campus business hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Australian Eastern Time (GMT +10).
info.csu can provide support and guidance to prospective students on everything you need to know on the University, courses, fees, accommodation, etc.
within Australia 1800 334 733
International + 61 2 6338 6077 Fax (02) 6338 6001
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