Bachelor of Paramedicine (BPSC) - BParamed

QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Ipswich campus: 936151

CRICOS code (International applicants): 089149K

This program is currently undergoing internal reaccreditation. This may result in changes to the program for 2022.

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Professional accreditation

The Bachelor of Paramedicine at USQ is accredited by the Paramedicine Board of Australia (PBA) and is listed as an approved program with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

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Program aims

The Bachelor of Paramedicine provides the graduate with the nursing knowledge and skills to apply to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for registration as a Registered Paramedic.

To gain registration as a paramedic, graduates of this program will also have to satisfy registration criteria of the Paramedicine Board of Australia. To gain registration, applicants will also have to meet standards in English language skills, criminal history, and professional indemnity insurance. To maintain registration, paramedics are also required to meet standards of Continuing Professional Development and Recency of Practice. All of these standards can be found on the Paramedicine Board of Australia website.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) will keep a register of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Paramedicine for the duration of their study or clinical training. USQ as the education provider will pass on students' details directly to the Paramedicine Board of Australia (PBA) for registration. No fees are required.

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Program objectives

Graduates who successfully complete the Bachelor of Paramedicine will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of biophysical sciences and apply this knowledge in the delivery of safe, quality care in the pre-hospital environment;

2. Develop knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to identify and manage common and serious illness;

3. Demonstrate critical thinking, while practising autonomously and collaboratively;

4. Apply ethical and evidence based knowledge to ensure informed decision making appropriate to the discipline;

5. Demonstrate effective technical, oral and written communication skills relevant to paramedics;

6. Apply the highest legal, ethical and professional standards.

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Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national, comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education institutions (including universities), vocational education and training institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical volume of learning associated with that qualification type.

This program is at AQF Qualification Level 07. Graduates at this level will have broad and coherent knowledge and skills for professional work and/or further learning.

The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors can be found by visiting www.aqf.edu.au.

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Program Information Set

View USQ’s admission criteria, student profiles and a summary of all offers made under Course Admission Information Set via the QTAC website.

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Have achieved a minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 65.6, or equivalent qualification.^

• English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 3.

Applicants are advised to also address the following:

• Assumed knowledge expectations: English.

• Recommended Prior Study: One of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent.

Satisfaction of admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Places within the Bachelor of Paramedicine are limited by quota. Quota size is determined by the availability of clinical placements. Where the quota is filled, no further places will be offered.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements.

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a University-approved English language program. On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

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Requirements for professional experience placements

Practical experience is an integral component of the program and each student is required to undertake a series of clinical placements to acquire the knowledge, skills and professional attributes necessary to practise as registered health practitioners..

Progression into practical courses is dependent upon a pass grade in theoretical and other practical courses which have been set as prerequisites.

Applicants must be willing to undertake and submit the requirements of the University of Southern Queensland and Queensland Ambulance Service for practical placement. Please refer to the applicable Professional Practice Experience Handbook for Paramedicine Students.

Mandatory Documents required prior to commencing ANY clinical placements in the program:

• Medical Assessment

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR)

• First Aid Certificate

• Blue Card or Working with Children Check

• USQ Student Declaration

• QAS Checklist

All students must also provide the following immunisation evidence prior to commencing clinical placements:

• Hepatitis B seroconversion

• Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunisation evidence

• Varicella immunisation evidence

• Adult Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis immunisation evidence

• Influenza immunisation evidence

• Tuberculosis Skin Test

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Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of a students' higher education and students pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.

Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for FEE-Help.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

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Program structure

The Bachelor of Paramedicine consists of 24 compulsory courses (24 units) studied full-time or part-time. Note that one course, consisting of 4 weeks full-time placement, must be taken in Semester 3 of the first year of study.

While placement courses are available in multiple semesters, enrolment in placement courses outside of the recommended enrolment pattern will require the permission of the Program Coordinator.

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Program completion requirements

To complete the program, a student must receive passing grades in all 24 compulsory courses (24 units) in accordance with the course list.

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Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 7 years to complete this program.

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IT requirements

Students should refer to the USQ minimum computing standards to check that their computers are capable of running the appropriate software and versions of Internet web browsers and to check the minimum and recommended standards for software.

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Other program requirements

A student must, throughout the program, hold:

• an Apply First Aid (formerly Senior First Aid) certificate that includes a CPR component, issued by the St John Ambulance Association or a comparable body approved by the Program Coordinator; and

• a current Blue Card, issued by the Queensland Government Public Safety Business Agency, or have an employment exemption from holding a card.

Immunisation Schedule

Before commencing a course in which, in the opinion of the University, the student may be at risk of contracting or transmitting a blood-borne virus or other disease, the student must complete a schedule of immunisations approved by the University.

This requirement may be waived only if:

• the student provides evidence of his or her status with respect to immunity against blood-borne viruses or other diseases prescribed in the schedule; or

• approved by the Discipline Leader (or nominee).

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Credit

Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the USQ Credit and Exemption Procedure.

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Full-time
• Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Part-time

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Full-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.

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Recommended Enrolment Pattern - Part-time

Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.