The Associate Degree in Clinical Practice (Paramedic) studied on campus is an exit point within the Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic). Click here for more information about the Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic).
The course is available to students already employed as qualified ambulance officers/paramedics or medics in the Army, Navy or Air Force and also on a full-time basis at the Bathurst Campus.
Students will acquire knowledge, skills and values which will enable them to make decisions based on principles of paramedical science, health services management and social science, and to initiate appropriate pre-hospital emergency care.
Graduates work professionally in occupations such as ambulance officers and emergency response paramedic personnel. Most ambulance authorities now offer graduate programs and specifically target CSU students.
This course is taught in conjunction with the Ambulance Service of NSW and the Tasmanian Ambulance Service.
The course is taught by dedicated professionals with a wide range of industry experience.
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.
Students may need to attend residential workshops to practise their clinical skills in a simulated paramedic environment.
Applicants who have completed recognised studies within the tertiary education sector including TAFE will be entitled to credit in accordance with University policy.
Qualified Ambulance Officers and medics serving in a full-time capacity in the Australian Defence Forces and related health professionals with appropriate experience and qualifications are invited to apply for credit for prior learning. Credit will be assessed on an individual basis.
Distance education students will need to attend some residential sessions in order to develop the required clinical skills.
Residential sessions are associated with the following subjects:
The residential sessions are usually offered more than once each session to provide some flexibility in attendance.
Refer to the Clinical Requirements section following for information on:
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 128 points for the diploma course. In addition, all full-time students must complete a clinical placement with an approved ambulance service.
Upon completion of course requirements, students can apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic). To subsequently graduate from the degree program, students must satisfactorily complete the eight nominated subjects (64 subject points):
APS301 Advanced Paramedical Science 1
CLS300 Clinical Studies 4
CLS302Internship 3
CLS310 Major Incident Management
HSM161 Health Services Organisation
HSM202 Managing Health Services
PHC303 Evidence Based Practice
PHC304 Paramedical Research
| Study through | Bathurst |
| Study mode and normal course duration | 2 years full-time on campus (exit point only) 4 years distance education |
| Course code | Full-time: 244067 Distance education: OSPX |
| Fees |
Commonwealth supported place |
| Session available | Full-time - February (Semester basis) Distance education - July (Semester basis) |
| Apply through | UAC : Full-time CSU Admissions Office: Distance education |
| UAI cut-offs | N/A
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| Study through | N/A |
| Study mode and normal course duration | N/A |
| Course code | N/A |
| Fees | N/A |
| Session available | N/A |
| Apply through | N/A |
| UAI cut-offs | N/A |
The Associate Degree is made up of 15 subjects including Paramedical Science, Clinical Studies and Professional Studies.
To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete the nominated 15 subjects (128 points).
Session 1
CLS101 Clinical Studies 1
FPS101 Foundations of Paramedical Science 1
Session 2
EMG100 Introduction to Emergency Management
PHC100 Professional Studies 1
Session 3
CLS102 Clinical Studies 2
FPS102 Foundations of Paramedical Science 2
Session 4
CLS201 Internship 1
PHC170 Paramedical Issues
Session 5
FPS201 Foundations of Paramedical Science 3 (16 points)
Session 6
CLS202 Clinical Studies 3
NRS246 Emergency Care in Mental Health
Session 7
EMG102 Emergency Management Planning 2
FPS202 Foundations of Paramedical Science 4
To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:
Previous studies include:
NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Universities Admissions Index (UAI) 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.
Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:
All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.
Acceptable tests for English proficiency
Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:
An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University’s requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.
You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:
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.
Eligibility for the part-time (distance education) version of the Associate Degree in Clinical Practice (Paramedic) is restricted to qualified ambulance officers/paramedics who are working towards, or have completed, accredited vocational training within a recognised ambulance service to diploma level or equivalent.
Full-time medics (Medical Assistants) working with the Australian Defence Forces are also eligible for admission to the degree, depending on the level of training completed.
Criminal Record Clearance
The Department of Health in NSW, and most other states, currently require all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement, to undergo criminal record checks. The checks are intended to identify people who have convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, who may put patients’/clients’ personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.
All students must therefore have a Criminal Record Clearance prior to placement in any capacity in the NSW Health system and most other State organisations. Prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a Criminal Record Clearance will make it impossible to complete this course satisfactorily as it will not be possible to arrange suitable clinical placements.
In addition, all students are required to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration indicating whether or not they are a prohibited person under the Child Protection Act 1998.
If you have any queries regarding these requirements, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Coordinator.
Immunisation
NSW Health have introduced an immunisation policy, Occupational Screening and Vaccination Against Infectious Diseasesfor all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement, to undergo mandatory vaccination.
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.
PLEASE NOTE that, as many courses involve clinical practicums in the first semester 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.
For all inquiries about Charles Sturt University courses, please contact info.csu on:
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Telephone: 1800 334 733 (free call within Australia) |