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Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic)

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This pre-service training degree prepares you for a career in paramedics.

As a graduate of this course you will have learnt to:

  • identify, evaluate and manage the physical, psychological and social needs of patients undergoing paramedic assessment
  • treat, transport and apply problem solving skills during out-of-hospital care
  • perform paramedic skills and techniques in a safe, efficient and effective way
  • apply a holistic and integrated approach to paramedic practice
  • be sensitive to contemporary issues within socially and culturally diverse communities and prepare to respond effectively to such issues during paramedic practice
  • examine current research and developments in paramedics and evaluate their implications in the paramedic profession

Paramedic clinical placement

Paramedic clinical placement is an important part of paramedic training. You are progressively introduced to the responsibilities and experiences of the ambulance paramedic. 

Course Essentials

  • Location:
  • Other locations:
    CLINICAL PLACEMENTS: Clinical placements operate on a year-round basis. Paramedic Science students will be required to attend clinical placements on a rotation basis, including outside of semester hours. Placements maintain a public service and provide continuity of clinical care.
  • College:
    College of Health and Biomedicine
  • Duration:
    3 years
  • Intake:
    February
  • Course code:
    HBPX
  • CRICOS:
    068737G
  • Fees:
    A$9870 per semester.

    Additional resources may need to be purchased in order to successfully complete this course. This includes Clinical attire including 2 polo shirts, 2 pairs pants and closed toe non slip shoes, protective, hard hat, paramedic emergency response uniform (A$400), A stethoscope (A$70), A Sphygmomanometer (A$120), A torchlight (A$10), Medical and police checks (A$220)

  • This information is for international students.

How to apply

We are currently accepting applications for this course.

Methods of applying:

  • You can apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

You can transfer into this course through our internal transfer process.

For more info contact the
College of Health and Biomedicine

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Careers

This course is accredited by the Council of Ambulance Authorities.

A Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) from an accredited university is the only qualification accepted by Ambulance Victoria.

Graduates are eligible to join the Australian College of Ambulance Professionals (ACAP) as the industry professional body.

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

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Study pathways

Transferring to VU

You can get credit in the Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) (HBPX) for study you have done at other universities. We have formal credit transfer arrangements for this course with the following universities

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

  • If you studied the Bachelor Degree Nursing Courses accredited by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia you may get up to one and a half years of credit.

To find out more about the pathways available for this course, please contact the .

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Get credit for your work, study and life experience through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Graduate faster

If you've done previous study related to this course, you may be awarded credit. This means you can graduate in less time.

Completing this course also gives you a head-start on other at VU courses at a higher level of study.

We also award credit for relevant work and life experience. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

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Course Objectives

The aims of this course are to produce graduates who can:

  • identify, evaluate and manage the physical, psychological and social needs of patients and members of the community undergoing paramedic assessment, treatment and transport, and apply problem solving skills when planning and implementing out-of-hospital care;
  • perform paramedic skills and techniques within paramedic protocols and apply paramedic knowledge necessary for safe, efficient and effective practice within paramedic environments;
  • interpret the paramedic needs of patients and members of the community within a holistic framework and apply an integrated holistic approach in paramedic practice;
  • perform effectively and safely as an independent person and as a member of a health care team in paramedic environments;
  • be sensitive to contemporary issues within socially and culturally diverse communities and predict and respond effectively to such issues when providing paramedic practice;
  • examine current research and developments in paramedic practice and evaluate their implications for paramedics and the profession.
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Units and electives

This course is usually delivered on a three (3) year full-time or part-time equivalent on-campus basis.

Year 1, sem 1

Year 1, sem 2

Year 2, sem 3

Year 2, sem 4

Year 3, sem 5

Year 3, sem 6

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

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Admission Information

  • Year 12: To qualify for admission to the course applicants must normally have successfully completed the Victoria Certificate of Education (VCE), with Units 3 and 4 and a study score of at least 20 in English, or equivalent. Preference will be given to applicants who have successfully completed biology, physics or mathematics. Applicants who do not meet the normal admission requirements but who possess appropriate educational qualifications, work or life experiences which would enable them to successfully undertake the course, will be considered for admission. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Health Science degree will be required to undergo a Victoria Police Check, a medical check and a physical capacity test before commencing placement units. Annual police checks need to be completed prior to census date of semester 1 of each year throughout the program.  Prospective and continuing students should be aware that not passing relevant police checks may restrict access to clinical placements necessary for graduation.

English language requirements

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Admission requirements in your country

Find out if you meet the minimum academic (international qualification) requirements to be eligible to apply for this course by reviewing the academic entry requirements listed by country.
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How to apply for this course

Apply online

If you have questions about your application, you can:

Get in touch

Contact us to discuss your course options:

Ring us on +61 3 9919 1164

Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students starting the course in 2013. Fees are subject to approval and may change. In some courses students must buy equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above and we recommend you seek advice from the relevant faculty.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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