This unit (HFB1112) will introduce students to the fundamental skills and concepts that will form the basis of their paramedic clinical practice, providing students an opportunity to apply their skills as professionally and culturally safe clinicians. Students will apply, integrate, and develop their theoretical knowledge. Specific areas of focus will include basic life support, resuscitation of the cardiac arrest patient, vital signs and secondary surveys, patient time criticality, wound and injury management, patient records and other practice documentation, Occupational Health and Safety, and safe manual handling. Students will incorporate pathophysiology and relevant aspects of the National Safety and Quality Health Service standards. Students are encouraged to participate in safe and effective communication and critical, self-reflection throughout the unit, to allow for continued student development

Unit details

Location:
St Albans
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
HFB1112

Prerequisites

HBM1001 - Anatomy and Physiology 1

HFB1003 - Paramedic Law, Ethics and Professionalism

HFB1001 - Cultural Safety

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Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Discuss and demonstrate competence and safe practice of foundational paramedic clinical skills;  
  2. Exemplify systematic clinical approaches, assessments, and decision making skills in the management and care of patients effected by minor physical traumatic injuries typical in the paramedic setting;  
  3. Exemplify systematic clinical approaches, assessments, and decision making skills in the management and care of patients requiring resuscitation in the context of clinical paramedicine; and  
  4. Describe and demonstrate formal mechanisms to ensure students are fit to practice safely, including the principles of safe manual handling.  

Assessment

Assessment type Description Grade
Practicum OSCE 1 (Resuscitation) Pass/Fail
Practicum OSCE 2 (other clinical presentation) Pass/Fail
Portfolio Workbook Pass/Fail
Other Self-directed learning Pass/Fail
Knowledge, skills and values developed in this unit will be assessed through Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE) 1 and OSCE 2, workbook completion, and in SDL. To obtain a pass in this ungraded unit, all components of assessment must be attempted and passed. Clinical practical (laboratory) workshops 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 professional capabilities for a paramedic graduate (VU Standards for Assessment Procedure (HE) Policy clause 25, 26 and 29). SDL does not require mandatory attendance however, observation of satisfactory skill performance in accordance with the Bachelor of Paramedicine (HBPD) skills matrix for First Year Semester 1 level is required and will take place in the SDL labs. Observations of satisfactory performance will be recorded by staff in VU Collaborate and can be observed during timetabled lab attendance or in the supervised SDL lab.

Required reading

Emergency and trauma care for nurses and paramedics 3rd ed.
Curtis, K., Ramsden, C., Shaban, R., Fry, M. & Considine, J. (2019)
Elsevier

Where to next?

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.

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