Paramedic Clinical Practice 6
Credit points
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Prerequisites
HFB3004 - Mental Health and Illness
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)
Overview
This unit will allow students the opportunity to apply their skills as practically and culturally safe clinicians. Students will have the opportunity to apply, integrate, consolidate and extend their theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained from earlier years, in relation to complex yet commonly experienced patient conditions. This unit will further student knowledge and understanding of paediatric and agitated patients, using contemporary and evidence-based best practice. The focus will be on safe, evidence-based prehospital assessment and management of these patients, through to hospital procedures. This includes pathophysiology, the safe use of pharmacotherapies and incorporating relevant aspects of the National Safety and Quality Health Service standards.
The unit will also extend the student's knowledge, exploring a variety of jurisdictional clinical practice guidelines, the developing role of extended care in the out-of-hospital environment and clinical reasoning and critical decision making. Students are encouraged to participate in safe and effective written and verbal communication and critical, self-reflection throughout the unit, to allow for continued student development.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Exhibit competency in safely assessing and managing patients and critically reflect on modifications required across a range of complex conditions;
- Articulate and demonstrate the mechanism of action and the safe and correct management of appropriate non-pharmacological and pharmacological agents, including evaluation of use and outcomes;
- Evaluate and analyse a variety of extended scopes of paramedic practice, in order to develop and expand students’ knowledge, critical thinking, clinical reasoning and understanding of evidence-based practice; and
- Justify evidence-based clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills through a case-based learning approach.
Assessment
For Melbourne campuses
Assessment type: Test | Grade: Pass/Fail
Test – Multiple Choice & Short Answer Questions (60mins)
Assessment type: Practicum | Grade: Pass/Fail
OSCE – Skills (20 mins)
Assessment type: Journal | Grade: Pass/Fail
Self-directed Learning (SDL)
Assessment type: Practicum | Grade: Pass/Fail
OSCE – Scenario (45 mins)
Knowledge and values developed in this unit will be assessed through a knowledge test containing multiple choice and short answer questions. The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) – Skills is an in-person performance based assessment that requires students to demonstrate technical paramedic skills with an emphasis on risk mitigation, effectiveness and professional conduct, in a controlled structured scenario. Self-Directed Learning (SDL) will provide students with an opportunity to take responsibility for identifying and pursuing their learning needs, using reflection to guide their goals, strategies, and ongoing improvement of their clinical skills, clinical reasoning and/or practice in accordance with the HBPD skills matrix. The OSCE-Scenario is an in-person timed assessment that requires students to apply theoretical knowledge in a simulated clinical scenario, that is designed to mirror real-world paramedic practice by assessing students’ ability to synthesise information, prioritise care, communicate with others, and deliver professional, safe and effective patient management.
To obtain a Pass grade, all components of assessment must be attempted and passed. This ensures students can demonstrate evidence of safe practice, including medication management. Additionally, laboratory (clinical practical) classes require mandatory attendance of at least 80% attendance, except under extenuating circumstances. This is due to the unit containing a significant competency component, enabling students to acquire and demonstrate essential skills to meet threshold graduate capabilities for a paramedic graduate (Assessment for Learning: Standards for Assessment Procedure (HE) Policy clauses 36 and 37).
Required reading
RECOMMENDED TEXTS: Cameron, P., Little, M., Mitra, B., & Deasy, C. (Eds.). (2019). Textbook of adult emergency medicine (5th ed.). Elsevier. Cameron, P., Browne, G. J., Mitra, B., Dalziel, S., & Craig, S. (Eds.). (2024). Textbook of paediatric emergency medicine (4th ed.). Elsevier. Curtis, K., Ramsden, C., Shaban, R., Fry, M., & Considine, J. (Eds.). (2019). Emergency and trauma care for nurses and paramedics (3rd ed.). Elsevier. Inglis, D., & Kenneally, J. (Eds.). (2021). Clinical skills for paramedic practice. Elsevier. Wesley, K. (2022). Huszar's ECG and 12-lead interpretation (6th ed.). Elsevier. Suggested further readings will be made via VU Collaborate.
As part of a course
This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):