The Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Paramedic Studies is a 36 unit program offered by the College of Medicine and Public Health. The graduate diploma is normally undertaken full-time over two semesters or part-time over four semesters.
Admission requirements
Applicants must hold either a Bachelor of Paramedic Science or an equivalent degree, or possess a formal vocational ambulance qualification which permits authority to practice at a paramedical level. The Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.
Course aims
Graduates from this course will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and judgment to successfully perform the role of Intensive Care Paramedic within the South Australian Ambulance Service. The Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Paramedic Studies aims to:
- enable paramedics to acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes and values relevant to the provision of intensive care treatment in the pre-hospital environment;
- provide opportunities for personal and professional development of paramedics working in the pre-hospital environment;
- provide foundations of professional development covering the wider aspects of emergency medical care in the pre-hospital environment;
- develop critical thinking necessary to provide evidence based judgement in the field of pre-hospital emergency medical care.
Learning outcomes
At the completion of the degree, graduates will be able to:
- provide clinical leadership and practice in this field;
- integrate clinical emergency practice in a holistic appreciation of health issues;
- deliver the specific skills and competencies necessary for the delivery of intensive care paramedic practice;
- expand the capacity for professional reflective practice in this field.
Program of study
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Paramedic Studies a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.
PARA8001 Advanced Bioscience for Intensive Care Paramedic Practice (4.5 units)
PARA8002 Acute Assessment and Management of Altered Perfusion (4.5 units)
PARA8003 Acute Assessment and Management of Ventilatory Abnormalities (4.5 units)
PARA8004 Principles of Intensive Care Paramedic Practice (4.5 units)
PARA8005 Acute Assessment and Management of Cardiac Dysrhythmias (4.5 units)
PARA8006 Acute Assessment and Management of Pain (4.5 units)
PARA8007 Acute Assessment and Management of Altered Conscious States (4.5 units)
PARA8008 Acute Assessment and Management of Behavioural Disturbances (4.5 units)
Except with the permission of the Dean (Education):
- the program must be completed within six consecutive semesters;
- no topic may be attempted more than twice.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in 13.5 or more units may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University’s policy on Student Progress.
