Paramedics play a crucial role in providing unscheduled healthcare in the community. While often associated with emergencies, only a small proportion of their work involves life-threatening situations.
Their role includes treating patients on scene, referring them to appropriate services, or transporting them when necessary.
But what does it take to become a paramedic, and what can you expect from the career? Let’s break it down.
What is Paramedicine?
At its core, paramedicine focuses on providing emergency medical care outside of a hospital setting. However, with the evolution of the profession, Registered Paramedics now also work in hospitals and primary healthcare settings.
Paramedicine is a broad healthcare profession focused on delivering medical care across a range of settings, including emergency, primary, and community care.
Paramedics use complex knowledge and skills to assess, treat, refer, and transport patients, playing an essential role within the healthcare system.
Paramedics are highly skilled healthcare professionals who respond to a wide range of situations, from critical incidents like car crashes and heart attacks to managing acute episodes of chronic health conditions.
They autonomously assess patients, deliver essential treatment on scene, and make critical decisions about referring patients to community-based healthcare options or transporting them to hospital when necessary.
Their high level of autonomy and leadership is what sets paramedicine apart within the healthcare system.
But it’s not just about emergencies. Paramedics also help educate the public about health, provide preventive care, and prepare communities for disasters. It’s a career with a huge impact on people's lives.
The path to becoming a Paramedic
To begin your journey in paramedicine, you'll need to study a Bachelor of Paramedicine.
The Bachelor of Paramedicine at UniSC combines simulation-based education with real-world experience, including 15 weeks of placement where students work as part of a healthcare team.
We’re big on giving our students hands-on experiences when it comes to learning – that’s why we’ve got a simulation labs designed to reflect the realities of what it’s like working in the field, including an on-site replica of an ambulance.
Whether it's learning how to manage trauma, deliver advanced life support, or understand pharmacology, this program ensures you’re prepared for any situation that might come your way as a paramedic.
Practical learning and hands-on experience
What really sets paramedicine apart from other degrees is the amount of practical experience you’ll gain.
We make sure our students get actual field training too through placements with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and other healthcare providers, which means you’ll out your skills into action long before you step into the field on your own.
You’ll face emergency situations in realistic settings, which builds confidence and ensures you’re ready when the time comes to make life-saving decisions.
Paramedicine ATAR and entry requirements
To get into a Bachelor of Paramedicine, you typically need a strong ATAR (around 80 at UniSC).
However, if your ATAR is a little lower, there are other pathways.
We have bridging courses, diploma programs, and other options to help you meet the entry requirements.
Plus, mature-age students and those with relevant vocational experience can often apply via different entry schemes.
Job prospects and career outlook
Paramedicine is the fastest-growing health profession in Australia, with demand increasing particularly in rural and regional areas.
The profession offers a stable and rewarding career with great job prospects, especially as the demand for community-based emergency healthcare continues to rise.
Many graduates find jobs right after completing their degree, and the profession is expected to continue growing.
Whether you're interested in working in an urban environment, in rural areas or even on special assignments like disaster response teams, there’s no shortage of career opportunities.
A day in the life of a Paramedic
One of the most exciting aspects of being a paramedic is the unpredictable nature of the job. You’ll encounter a variety of situations, with some being more routine than others.
While high-pressure cases like major car accidents or cardiac arrests are part of the role, they are rare. The job requires strong critical thinking, sound decision-making, and the ability to stay calm and provide excellent care, no matter the situation.
You’ll develop the skills to handle both everyday healthcare needs and the rare critical moments with confidence.
As a paramedic, you’ll never have the same day twice, and you’ll always know that what you’re doing is making a difference in people’s lives.
Is Paramedicine right for you?
If you’re passionate about healthcare, enjoy working under pressure and want to make a real impact in your community and on people’s lives, paramedicine could be the career for you.
The path to becoming a paramedic is challenging but incredibly rewarding. With the right education and practical experience, you'll be prepared to handle any emergency that comes your way.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward a career in paramedicine, take a look at the Bachelor of Paramedicine for more information on how to get started in this life-saving field.
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