To be eligible to commence placement, students must complete the following Mandatory checks:
First year students - all mandatory checks will need to be fulfilled and evidence uploaded to your Sonia Online account by the first Friday in June.
NOTE: some of the mandatory checks can take quite some time to organise and students are advised to commence working on obtaining their specific mandatories as soon as they have accepted their offer.
Student Paramedic uniforms: You will be required to purchase the student paramedic uniform which includes shirts, trousers, belt, personal protective equipment and wet weather jacket before going on placement. The approximate minimum cost of the uniform set is $455. Optional items at additional cost are soft shell jacket, black leather ankle boots and cap.
You will also be required to purchase a stethoscope.
All documentation must be uploaded to your Sonia Online* account.
*Access to Sonia Online for current enrolled students only.
Placement essentials
Throughout the program you will undertake several clinical placement courses to enable you to link theory with practice. Some of these courses must be completed during sessions that span the mid-year and December to February period.
The University has established arrangements with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and other health care facilities to provide student placements to enable the development of skills required to practice as a graduate paramedic. Clinical placements that are provided by the QAS are facilitated at ambulance stations across Queensland. While the University will attempt to place you close to your preferred placement area this cannot be guaranteed, and you may be required to undertake some of your clinical placements outside the region or in a rural area within Queensland.
When undertaking clinical placements at other health care facilities you may be allocated to a location up to one hours’ drive from the university, irrespective of where you reside.
All travel and accommodation expenses incurred whilst undertaking clinical placements are the responsibility of the student.
Note: that Clinical Placements with QAS involve shift work on any day of the week including weekends and public holidays. The duration of each shift is 10-12 hours and these include night shifts. You will be expected to work the shifts that you are allocated. It is not possible to modify shift patterns to suit employment or other personal needs.
Clinical placement opportunities will only be offered to students who meet the mandatory requirements of the University, QAS and other facilities.
While the University will attempt to place you close to your preferred placement area for these clinical practicum courses this cannot be guaranteed and you may be required to undertake some of your clinical placements outside the region or in a rural area within Queensland.
Remuneration and insurance
No remuneration or payment is made by placement organisations to the students or to the University for hosting the student. Students undertaking an approved paramedic science placement are covered by the University’s insurance policies.
To be eligible for first year clinical placement
All of the mandatory checks will need to be fulfilled and evidence uploaded to your Sonia Online.
| MANDATORY REQUIREMENT | HOW TO APPLY |
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Immunisations When: Commence now |
1. Refer to the QAS Immunisation and Infection Control Guidelines 2. As soon as you accept your offer commence gathering information about your immunity and if necessary commence Hepatitis B and other immunisation courses. Some of these immunisation courses take 6 months to complete. 3. Take evidence of your immunity and/or immunisations with you when you present for your QAS Medical Assessment. 4. Do not upload immunisation history to Sonia Online |
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QAS Medical Assessment When: Once enrolled |
1. The role of a paramedic requires a certain level of physical fitness and it is important for new and potential students to be familiar with the QAS Medical Standards. Please read these standards to ensure you will be eligible to attend clinical placements. |
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Annual Influenza Vaccination When: Once enrolled |
1. You may attend your own GP or attend the free Influenza vaccine clinic at USC 2. Upload evidence to Sonia Online. |
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Blue Card When: Once enrolled |
1. Complete Student Blue Card application You must submit this form in person to the Clinical Placement Office. If you already have a Blue Card you must complete an Authority to Confirm form for USC. This is to be done at the Clinical Placement office. |
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National Police Certificate When: Once enrolled |
1. Apply online at the Australian Federal Police website 2. Upload your certificate to Sonia Online. |
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First Aid Certificate & CPR Certificate When: Once enrolled |
1. The course you must complete is the Apply First Aid (HLTAID003) 2. First Aid Certificates remain current for 3 years 3. If your course has a CPR component then that remains current for 1 year. 4. If you completed your First Aid Certificate prior to enrolling, please ensure that you have a current CPR certificate. CPR certificates must be valid for the entire calendar year of your first year of study. 5. Find an accredited Australian training provider who is recognised by training.gov.au. 6. Complete the course 7. Upload your certificate to Sonia Online. |
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Mental Health First Aid When: Once enrolled Time: Semester 1 |
1. This course is conducted on Campus and you will be provided with further information early in Semester 1. 2. Upload evidence of completion to Sonia Online. |
Paramedic foundation practicum 1 — first year (summer session)
PAR103 Paramedic Foundation Practicum 1is run over the Summer Semester of your first year of study. This course is designed upon the concept of situated learning wherein you engage in learning and practice through simulation and a supervised clinical environment.
During this clinical practicum you will be exposed to a range of emergency and non-emergency cases in the paramedic practice setting and will also undertake placements in aged care and disability services.
Qualified clinicians will supervise you to utilise opportunities to practice and apply knowledge and skills learnt within the foundation paramedic courses.
To be eligible for second year clinical placement
All of the mandatory checks will need to be fulfilled and evidence uploaded to your Sonia Online.
- Annual Influenza Vaccination
- Current Blue Card
Paramedic clinical practicum 2 — second year
PAR203 Paramedic Clinical Practicum 2is the second year clinical practicum course and provides opportunities for learning through simulation and a supervised clinical placement environment.
You will have opportunities to apply knowledge and skills developed in prerequisite courses to develop your paramedic practice.
During this clinical practicum you will be exposed to a range of emergency and non-emergency cases in the paramedic practice setting.
To be eligible for third year clinical placement
All of the mandatory checks will need to be fulfilled and evidence uploaded to your Sonia Online.
- Annual Influenza Vaccination
- Current Blue Card
Paramedic clinical practicum 3 — final year
In your final year of study PAR312 Paramedic Clinical Practicum 3consolidates previous concepts developed across the program.
You will be engaged in learning and practice in a supervised clinical environment to enable advanced clinical decision making and practice skills.
You will have opportunities to apply knowledge and clinical decision making skills to solve complex health problems.
During this clinical practicum you will be exposed to a range of emergency and non-emergency cases in the paramedic practice setting.
Qualified clinicians will supervise your application of knowledge and skills acquired in preceding courses.
Location
Our Clinical Placement Office is located in the ground floor of Building H1 on the USC Sunshine Coast campus. The easiest way to get to the office is from Pay Parking 11, and the office door is in between H1 and H2 buildings. The paramedic lab is located in Building M (next to Pay Parking 11 lot).
Contact
For further information about your mandatory requirements or about the paramedic science clinical placement courses please contact us:
- In person between 9am–4pm
- By Tel: 07 5459 4561 (Elaine Phillips) or 07 5456 3483 (Judy Hopper)
- By email paramedicplacements@usc.edu.au