Bachelor of Paramedic Science (Specialisation)

Significant and exciting changes have been made to the Bachelor of Paramedic Science (Specialisation). The new specialisations provide opportunities for those students who wish to become paramedics and for practicing paramedics who wish to complete a Bachelor degree. New specialisations include Clinical and EMS Occupational Health and Safety.

Clinical Specialisation

The clinical specialisation is your first step towards a rewarding career in paramedic science. The program is designed to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge to practice and deliver emergency pre-hospital medical and trauma care.

The first year of the program provides foundation knowledge in sciences, human body systems, study and research skills, and paramedic practice. Years two and three of the program focus on disease processes and their emergency treatment with practical placements in paramedic care.

During work placements, students have the opportunity to work closely with paramedics and respond to ‘real-life' emergency situations. As a student you are exposed to the most up-to-date high fidelity simulation equipment to support your work-integrated learning.

CQUniversity’s program includes 15 weeks (600 hours) of integrated work placements with the Queensland Ambulance Service and many hours of simulation training. This provides you with the opportunity to experience working as a paramedic and directly apply skills and knowledge learned in the classroom to real-life situations.

EMS Occupational Health and Safety Specialisation

Individuals currently practicing as paramedics can choose from two paths towards their Bachelor degree. The EMS Occupational Health and Safety specialisation is designed for paramedics seeking to gain a formal bachelor qualification as well as develop skills and knowledge in occupational health and safety. The clinical specialisation option focuses on out-of-hospital clinical care. Both specialisations are offered by distance education to allow you to balance study with professional commitments.

The practice of paramedic services is increasing in specific business areas such as mining, construction, leisure and recreation. In addition, organizers of activities that are regarded as high risk such as motorsports, film and TV productions, and major sporting events, increasingly hire paramedics for these events. Given the increase in demand from industry, and often the remote nature of these projects, having the highest level of emergency patient care with an associated diverse occupational health and safety role is required.

The EMS Occupational Health and Safety specialisation will enhance the career opportunities of current paramedics seeking employment in industry. Those employed by private paramedic services, and current industrial paramedics working within the diverse field outside of pre-hospital emergency care provision, can also benefit from the program. The program meets the current demands of the industry for skilled professionals in paramedic services.

What am I studying?

Paramedics provide a vital role in assisting their local community. Paramedics care for health needs during disasters, provide out of hospital care at large community events, assist patients at road crashes and, provide care for patients with acute illness. Paramedics assess patient condition deliver appropriate emergency medical treatments and assign ongoing patient care to other members of the health care team. Most paramedics work for an ambulance service and can go on to specialise in exciting and challenging areas such as helicopter rescue. A career in paramedic science will provide a variety of work experiences and the satisfaction of helping others. It is a challenging and rewarding profession.

Why Study Health at CQUniversity

CQUniversity’s health and medical sciences programs have been developed to meet the ever increasing needs of our communities both here in Australia and for the wider global audience.

CQUniversity programs are constantly being reviewed and updated in consultation with industry and other stakeholders to ensure that they are relevant and up to date. In fact, our suite of new offerings has been built as a direct response to industry needs by people with specialised industry experience.

Another key feature in the large majority of CQUniversity’s health and medical science programs is the integration of workplace-integrated learning or learning on the job. This hands-on, project-based learning is a key reason as to why CQUniversity graduates are highly sought after by employers.  Quality on-campus facilities ensure learning is delivered ‘in context’, taught in a similar setting to that of a real-world situation.

Entry Requirements

Ambulance Service Employment Conditions: Students should be aware before entering the program that ambulance services in Australia have specific requirements for employment that preclude people with certain health conditions. Please see specific state ambulance websites for further details.

Entry Requirements: Students will be required to complete a medical and physical assessment prior to work placement with an Ambulance Service; the work placement is a compulsory component of this program. Students will be required to purchase an approved university clinical placement uniform as a requirement of the Queensland Ambulance Service. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will also need to be purchased as a workplace health and safety requirement.

Students are required to obtain a first-aid certificate prior to enrolment in course PMSC11001 Foundations of Paramedic Science.

Students who have not studied chemistry are advised to enrol in an introductory chemistry course at CQUniversity. The recommended course of study is CHEM40079 Introductory Chemistry. Please contact us for more information.

EMS Occupational Health and Safety Specialisation Entry Requirements:

Paramedics who currently hold a Diploma of Paramedic Science delivered by a State or Territory Ambulance Service or equivalent, as deemed by the program leader, will be eligible for enrolment in the EMS Occupational Health and Safety specialisation. These paramedics will be given advanced standing in the course with credit for specified courses as deemed by the program leader. Prior to enrolment, application for credit will need to be applied for by the student via the program leader. Please contact us for more information.

English Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, South Africa or USA you are required to meet the English Language Prerequisite by:

An academic IELTS (International English Language testing System) completed within the last two years (from the term you are applying to start) with a minimum achievement of 6.5 in each band and overall or a secondary or university qualification which is not more than five years old (from the term you are applying for) with a satisfactory level of achievement of at least two years in duration from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, South Africa or the USA.

The English Language Proficiency requirements may also be satisfied by (results are to be no older than two years from the start of term):

- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 600 or better overall and a minimum TWE score of 5.0 (paper based test), or 250 or better overall and minimum essay writing score of 5.0 (computer based test), or 100 or better overall and a score of 25 or better in the writing section (internet based test).

- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): An overall score of 64 with no communication score less than 64.

- Occupational test - Result of 'A' or 'B'

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Paramedic Science (Specialisation) program from CQUniversity have developed the expertise and skills to work as health professionals in emergency medicine and retrieval. Work integrated clinical courses are included in the second and third years of the program to facilitate work-readiness of CQUniversity graduates. Graduates may go on to specialise in intensive care paramedic practice, aviation and retrieval medicine, occupational health and safety, special operations or clinical education with further study. There is also the option of employment in the numerous private paramedic services supporting mines, industry and the resource sector at the completion of the program.

Work Intergrated Learning

You are required to undertake a minimum of 15 weeks (600 hours) with the Queensland Ambulance Service during the three years of program.

Program Structure

Course Information

For example courses you could study as part of the Bachelor of Paramedic Science (Specialisation) program please click here.

As CQUniversity is committed to providing quality, up-to-date and relevant education, please note courses are refreshed regularly and may not be an exact indication of course availability for your study. Please call 13CQUni 13 27 86 if you have specific questions regarding course information regarding your specific application.

Residential School and Study Requirements

There are several recommended and compulsory residential schools for some courses for students studying by distance education.

Professional Recognition

Graduates from the Bachelor of Paramedic Science will be eligible to apply for membership with the Paramedics Australasia (PA) and/or Australian Registry of EMT (AREMT).

The clinical specialisation has received preliminary approval with the Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA).