Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This is one of the final two units prior to commencing work as a qualified paramedic. While you will commence your role as a qualified paramedic your level of expertise is at the beginner practitioner level. This unit is designed to develop professional skills in critical reflection that help define you as a health care practitioner and set you on a pathway of continuing professional development. You, as a professional practitioner will develop evidence based knowledge and implement reflective processes to improve the quality of patient care. These strategies and processes are necessary for the transition into the workplace.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to enable you to understand the origins of professionalism and the concomitant set of responsibilities. Also, to instil and nurture your development in the areas of personal qualities, values, attitudes and behaviours which are fundamental to paramedic practice within the broader context of health care.

Objectives

On the successful completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. appraise and adopt a critical and enquiry based approach to the delivery of care with the the ability to be reflective and critically analyse aspects of out of hospital emergency care and contribute to intellectual enquiry;



2. contribute to the professional paramedic knowledge base and research programs and practice within an evidence based paradigm;



3. appreciate the role and concepts of continuous improvement and development in ambulance services/out of hospital practices;



4. demonstrate an appreciation of and commitment to self directed professional development and life-long learning;



5. demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the professional role of the paramedic which includes the moral, ethical, legal, social, economic, and political implications of providing out of hospital patient care.

Content

1. Professional Conduct - Code of conduct, communication, patient focus, working in a two person crew, record keeping in the context of confidentiality and information security obligations, informed consent, working in a team with other emergency service personnel
2. 
   
   Professional Growth - Career development



3. Evidence Based Practice - Critical appraisal of information



4. Your Role in the Profession - Professional Association; You as a Paramedic in the Australian Health Care System; Professional challenges such as staff shortages, ageing population, population increases; Independent practice and partnerships

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be started in an on-campus phase before you commence your internship and then will continue in an on-line mode.

Throughout this course you have been using reflective strategies to support your learning. Readings and learning activities in this unit are designed to give you opportunities to develop further reflective practice skills and strategies that will be helpful as your professional career develops.

Assessment

There are three assessments to be completed throughout the semester.Formative Assessment

Off Campus
You will receive continuous ongoing feedback and support from your clinical mentors identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement. It is also expected that you will demonstrate self-assessment and identification of your learning needs. You will be engaged with the content of this unit both on campus in block mode and in the on line environment off campus. This will involve both guided and self directed learning. You will be encouraged to participate in the on line discussion forum as you have done in many of the previous paramedic units. This will be another method used to provide feedback on your learning.

Assessment name: Research Paper
Description: You will be required to write a journal article on an aspect of paramedic practice.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 10

Assessment name: Reflective Journal
Description: Description: You will be required to write a detailed reflection on a case attended during your internship utilising a framework of critical reflection.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 3
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 12

Assessment name: Presentation (Group)
Description: Description: You will be required to present (as a group) a presentation on a theme of this unit. Details will be provided prior to commencement of semester.
Relates to objectives: 4 and 5
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Week 12

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Texts

Risk assessment statement

Out of hospital care can be hazardous. You are required to work as part of an operational crew responding to emergency calls. There is regular exposure to high speed driving, heavy lifting, body fluids, medical sharps, defibrillators and some times aggressive patients in the off campus phase of the unit. Your clinical practice is supervised at all time during this unit and appropriate personal protective equipment will be supplied.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 29-Oct-2012