VU’s Bachelor of Paramedicine is held in extremely high regard in the industry for its hands-on approach to learning. Scenario-based assessments and clinical placements, combined with a solid theoretical foundation are just some of the ways we prepare you for the real world.

Graduates should have obtained the necessary clinical practice skills, knowledge and personal attributes necessary for employment as emergency paramedics.

The skills, knowledge and attributes should provide you with a competitive advantage for selection and promotion in the emergency paramedicine career pathways. Graduates are eligible to apply for membership of Paramedics Australia.

Job titles

• Paramedic
• Air ambulance paramedic
• Ambulance community officer
• Clinical instructor
• MICA paramedic

Organisations employing paramedic graduates

Ambulance officers and paramedics are employed across several industries including health care and social assistance, public administration and safety, education and training, and manufacturing. Examples include: Ambulance Victoria, Paramedic Services Group, Royal Flying Doctor Service and education institutions.

Salaries

76 per cent of our paramedic graduates were earning more than A$60,000 four months after graduation (VU Australian Graduate Survey).

Employment rates

Employment for Ambulance Officers and Paramedics to 2019 is expected to remain steady (Job Outlook).

Placements

Paramedic clinical placements are an important part of paramedic training. Students are supervised by a clinical instructor in various settings which include the non-emergency patient transport sector and Ambulance Victoria.

There are six (6) Paramedic Clinical Practice units that are delivered throughout the entirety of the course that prepare you for the pre-hospital health care environment. Within these units are simulated placements and placements that are undertaken external to the University in the non-emergency, emergency pre-hospital and other relevant clinical, health and social sectors.

Dynamic Learning

Study paramedics at VU and you will get hands-on experience while you learn through scenario-based assessments. Our state-of-the-art facilities include hospital prac rooms and lifelike mannequin technology.

On completion of the Bachelor of Paramedicine, graduates will be able to:

1. Analyse, 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;
2. Perform effective evidence based paramedic skills and techniques within paramedic protocols and apply paramedic knowledge necessary for safe, efficient and effective practice within paramedic environments;
3. Interpret the paramedic needs of patients and members of the community within a holistic framework and apply an integrated holistic approach of evidence based paramedic practice;
4. Perform effectively and safely as an independent person and as a member of a health care team in paramedic environments;
5. Be sensitive to contemporary issues within socially and culturally diverse communities and predict and respond effectively to such issues when providing paramedic practice;
6. Critically review current research and evidence based developments in paramedic practice and evaluate their implications for paramedics and the profession.

To successfully attain HBPD Bachelor of Paramedicine students will be required to complete 288 credit points (equivalent to 12 units) consisting of:

• 48 credit points (equivalent to 4 units) of Core College studies;
• 240 credit points (equivalent to 20 Units) of Core Paramedic studies;

Students will have the opportunity to complete two (2) specialist units in third year, as follows:

• 24 credit points (equivalent to 2 units) of Specialist Paramedic studies.

In the final third year, Students will have the option of completing HIP3001 Interprofessional Practice in either Semester 1 or 2, or alternatively, HFB3200 Pinnacle Venture in Semester 2.

• TAFE: Successful completion of a cognate (similar discipline) Australian Diploma or Advanced Diploma (or equivalent) such as HLT50412 Diploma of Paramedic Sciences, or its equivalent, may apply for Advanced Standing and will be considered for entry into HBPD Bachelor of Paramedicine.
• Year 12: Successful completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score
  of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

  PLUS
  Units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 20 in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics (any) or Mathematics (any).

• International: IELTS: For international students, the following English language requirement is needed for entry to the course where the international students education was conducted in a language other than English. An international Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test score with an overall band score of at least 6.5, with no band less than 6.5 (or equivalent test result) is required.

  An IELTS tests result is required at the time of application. Applications received that do not include an IELTS (or equivalent test) will not be assessed until the test result is received.

  Packaging of an English course is not available with this degree. Applicants must meet the language entry requirement at the time of application.

• Mature: Non year 12 applicants may make a direct application to the University. Applicants should provide an overview of and verifiable documentation of their entire educational history. Applicants must complete and submit a Personal Statement. Applicants must include details of their interest in the course and any relevant work experience. Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of the pre-hospital profession and the role of the paramedic in their Personal Statement and their application.
• Other: All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Paramedicine degree will be required to undergo an annual National Police Check, a Working with Children Check (valid for 5 years), a medical check and a physical capacity test. Additionally, they must have vaccination documentation and a serology report that satisfies Ambulance Victoria Pre-Clinical Placement Medical Vaccination status/requirements before commencing placements in the clinical units of study. Annual police checks via Fit2Work and Working with children 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 and a Working with Children check may restrict access to placements necessary for graduation.

  Applicants who do not meet the normal admission requirements in categories described above (i.e. Senior Secondary, International, TAFE/VET or Mature Age) but who possess appropriate educational qualifications, work or life experiences which would enable them to successfully undertake the course, will be considered for admission.