Paramedicine

These inherent requirements apply to the following course: Bachelor of Paramedicine.

Prospective and current students who are concerned about their capacities in relation to inherent requirements are strongly encouraged to contact the CDU Access and Inclusion team to discuss possible adjustments or alternative courses.

E: inclusion@cdu.edu.au

These inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other course information, industry standards set by the Paramedicine Board of Australia or state-based ambulance services, and publications such as the Australasian Competency Standards for Paramedics, published by Paramedics Australasia.

There are eight domains of inherent requirements for undergraduate paramedicine course. Some domains may have sub-domains. 

Each inherent requirement is made up of the following five levels:

1. Introduction
2. Description
3. Justification
4. Adjustments
5. Exemplars

Acting in ways consistent with the recognised values of society and avoiding activities that do harm.

In the context of inherent requirements, students undertaking a course of study may be governed by practice standards and codes of ethics.

1. Introduction
   Paramedicine is a profession that is governed by professional standards, codes and guidelines where paramedics are both accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates knowledge of, and engages in, ethical behaviour in practice.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Compliance with the professional standards, codes of conduct, and guidelines facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people with whom they engage. This supports the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of all.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must not compromise standards, codes and guidelines or result in unethical behaviour.
5. Exemplars:
   • Complying with medico-legal requirements relating to informed consent, privacy, and confidentiality with patient information in academic and clinical settings
   • Demonstrating ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and take responsibility for ensuring own awareness of ethical behaviour.

The maintenance of conduct that is acceptable and appropriate, according to the recognised norms of society over a given period.

1. Introduction
   Behavioural stability is required to function and interact effectively and sensitively in academic settings.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates behavioural stability to work constructively in diverse and changing academic settings.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in changing and unpredictable environments. Paramedicine students will be exposed to emergency situations and human suffering and will be required to have behavioural stability to manage these events objectively and professionally.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must support stable, effective, and professional behaviour in academic settings.

5. Exemplars:

   • Being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback
   • Coping with own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with individuals in the clinical setting
   • Coping with own emotions and behaviour effectively when engaging in interactive simulated learning activities in the academic setting.

Related to the law. In the context of inherent requirements, this refers to the legal requirements of professional bodies relevant to specific courses of study.

1. Introduction
   Paramedic practice is mandated by legislation and regulatory requirements to enable the safe delivery of care.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates knowledge and compliance with relevant laws, professional rules, codes of conduct and regulations and scope of practice.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Knowledge, understanding and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites to clinical placements in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others. Compliance with the Australian Law and professional regulatory requirements ensures that students are both responsible and accountable for their practice.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must be consistent with legislation, rules, codes of practice and regulatory requirements.
5. Exemplars:
   • Complying with relevant child protection and safety legislation
   • Complying with the requirements for student registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
   • Complying with the policies of clinical facilities such as the Work Health and Safety Act and uniform requirements.

Verbal communication: Conveying messages, ideas, or feelings through speech.

1. Introduction
   Effective verbal communication, in English, is an essential requirement to enable the successful completion of Bachelor of Paramedicine.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates:
   • Sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences
   • The ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner
   • The ability to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation
   • The ability to give and receive timely clear verbal reports and feedback.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others develops trusting relationships. At times, verbal communication may be the only means of communication available between the Paramedic and patient/others. Speed and interactivity of communication may be critical for individual safety or treatment. Timely, accurate and effective delivery of instructions is critical to individual safety, treatment, and management. Verbal communication equivalent to an IELTS level 7 or above is a requirement for student registration with AHPRA.
4. Adjustments 
   Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, and clarity issues.
5. Exemplars:
   • Practicing verbal communication skills during practical classes when undertaking high fidelity simulation scenarios
   • Responding appropriately to requests from patients, supervisors, and other health professionals in the clinical setting
   • Conveying complex clinical information and concepts to patients and their families.

Non-verbal communication: Communication other than speech that conveys meaning including gestures and facial expressions, body posture, stance, touch, eye movements, eye contact and distance from the person/s with whom you are communicating. Non-verbal cues can provide significant additional information to the person with whom you are communicating.

1. Introduction
   Effective non-verbal communication is fundamental to the successful participation in group activities in academic and professional contexts and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathetic, and non-judgemental.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates:
   • The capacity to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to behavioural cues
   • Displays consistent and appropriate awareness of own behaviours
   • Displays sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport with people and gaining their trust and respect in academic and professional relationships. Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries and body movements and gestures promotes trust in academic and professional relationships. Being sensitive to individual and/or cultural differences displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships. The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues is essential for safe and effective observation of patient symptoms and reactions to facilitate the assessment and treatment of patients.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must enable the recognition, initiation of, or appropriate response to, effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner.
5. Exemplars:
   • Recognising and responding appropriately to cues and activities in simulated teaching and learning activities
   • Providing care to a patient in a loud environment such as a nightclub or sports arena where verbal communication may be compromised
   • Conveying reassurance, understanding and empathy to patients who may be distressed or unable to communicate verbally.

Written communication: Communication by written symbols including electronic means, print or handwriting.

1. Introduction
   Effective written communication, in English, is a fundamental paramedic requirement. Students must be able to acquire, understand, apply, and convey information in a written format.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates:
   • The capacity to construct coherent written communication appropriate to the circumstances
   • The capacity to use a range of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to complete academic assessment requirements.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Construction of written text-based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards are necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter for professional practice. Accurate written communication, including record-keeping and patient notes, is vital to provide consistent and safe patient care.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy, accessibility, and portability to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in both academic and professional settings.
5. Exemplars:
   • Constructing an essay or report to academic standards in English
   • Constructing patient health care records in a timely manner that meets legal and professional standards.

The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through one's thoughts, experience, and senses.

Knowledge and cognitive skills: Acquired skills that reflect an individual's ability to think. Cognitive skills include verbal and spatial abilities, concentration, memory, perception, reasoning, planning and organisation, flexible thinking, and problem solving.

1. Introduction
   Consistent knowledge and effective cognitive skills must be demonstrated to provide safe, effective, and timely paramedic care.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates:
   • Capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information
   • Ability to process information relevant to practice
   • Ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice
   • Capacity to solve problems and think laterally with regard to clinical and logistical issues.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Safe and effective paramedic care is based on comprehensive knowledge that must be sourced, understood, and applied appropriately.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded.
5. Exemplars:
   • Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items
   • Appropriately applying knowledge of theory, research evidence, policies, and procedures in a clinical setting
   • Managing multiple tasks and priorities in distracting, dynamic and time-sensitive environments.

Literacy (language): This relates to the ability to acquire, understand, and apply information in a scholarly manner.

1. Introduction
   Competent literacy skills, in English, are essential to develop and deliver professional, appropriate, and effective responses to academic assessment tasks.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates:
   • Ability to acquire information and convey appropriate, effective messages
   • Ability to read and comprehend a range of literature and information
   • Capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written text in a scholarly manner
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental to ensure safe and effective assessment, treatment, and delivery of care. The ability to read, decode, interpret, and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for safe and effective delivery of paramedic care.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must enable demonstration of a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply, and communicate accurate information.
5. Exemplars:
   • Conveying spoken instructions to a client accurately and effectively in a clinical setting
   • Paraphrasing, summarising, and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic conventions in written assignments
   • Producing accurate, concise, and clear documentation which meets legal requirements.

Numeracy: This relates to the ability to understand and work with numbers.

1. Introduction
   Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential for safe and effective calculations in delivery of services in paramedic care.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student interprets and correctly applies data, measurements, and numerical criteria.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Competent application of numeracy skills is essential to facilitate the safe and effective delivery of paramedic care.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must enable demonstration of a capacity to interpret and apply concepts and processes appropriately in a timely, accurate and effective manner.
5. Exemplars:
   • Calculating the percentage of body surface area affected in a patient with burns
   • Calculating the rate at which a volume of intravenous fluid is to be administered over a period
   • Accurately calculating the required dosage of medications for paediatric patients based on their weight and age.

This course requires visual, auditory, and tactile abilities.

Visual Acuity

1. Introduction
   Adequate visual acuity is required to provide safe and effective paramedic care.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates sufficient visual acuity to perform the required range of skills.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Sufficient visual acuity is necessary to demonstrate the required range of skills, tasks, and assessments to maintain consistent, accurate and safe care to self and others
   Visual observations, examination and assessment are fundamental to safe and effective paramedic practice.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in practice. Any strategies to address the effects of the vision impairment must be effective, consistent, and not compromise safety.
5. Exemplars:
   • Recognising subtle changes in a patient’s skin colour during examination
   • Determining respiratory rate by watching how many times per minute the patient’s chest rises
   • Working in a safe manner on placement in poorly lit areas and at night.

Auditory

1. Introduction
   Adequate auditory ability is required to provide safe and effective paramedic care.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates sufficient aural function to undertake the required range of skills.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Sufficient auditory ability is necessary to monitor, assess and manage individual health needs consistently and accurately. Auditory assessments and observations are fundamental to safe and effective paramedic practice.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in paramedic practice. Any strategies to address the effects of the hearing loss must be effective, consistent, and not compromise safety.
5. Exemplars:
   • Using a stethoscope to listen to the breathing sounds of a patient to perform a respiratory assessment
   • Listening to instructions and feedback from multiple sources simultaneously such as a patient, other paramedics, and hospital staff.

Tactile

1. Introduction
   Sufficient tactile ability is required to perform competent and safe paramedic practice.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates adequate tactile function sufficient to undertake the required range of skills and assessments.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Sufficient tactile ability is necessary to monitor, assess and detect patients' physical characteristics and act on any abnormalities detected to provide thorough paramedic care. Tactile assessments and observations are fundamental to safe and effective paramedic practice.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must have the capacity to make effective assessments of physical characteristics and abnormalities within safe time frames.
5. Exemplars:
   • Detecting any changes in circulatory observations such as temperature and pulse palpation
   • Palpating joints, muscles, and soft tissues, and detecting anatomical or movement abnormalities.

Gross motor skills: The use of large muscle groups that coordinate body movements for activities such as walking, lifting, pushing, pulling, and maintaining balance.

1. Introduction
   Paramedicine is a profession that involves physical demands and requires gross motor function.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates the ability to complete gross motor tasks to function within scope of practice.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Sufficient gross motor skills are necessary to perform the required level of care. Tasks that involve gross motor skills include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting, and bending. Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness, safety of self and others and a capacity to provide appropriate care. 
5. Exemplars:
   • Maintaining balance while safely mobilising and transferring patients or resources
   • Assisting patients, with varying physical capacities, to and from beds, chairs and standing, or in a variety of environments
   • Safely carrying medical equipment of up to 15kg.

Fine motor skills: The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands for activities such as writing and manipulating small objects.

1. Introduction
   Paramedicine is a profession that requires manual dexterity and fine motor skills.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates adequate tactile function sufficient to undertake the required range of skills and assessments.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Sufficient fine motor skills are necessary to perform the required tasks. Tasks that involve fine motor skills include being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate various objects and individuals. Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must facilitate functional effectiveness, safety to self and others and a capacity to complete appropriate tasks.
5. Exemplars:
   • Connecting patients to monitoring equipment and recording events
   • Inserting a small intravenous needle into a small vein to allow administration of medication
   • Drawing up a precise measurement of medication from a glass ampoule into a plastic syringe.

The ability to undertake a task/s over a pre-determined length of time. This could include physical performance such as standing for a length of time, or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

1. Introduction
   Paramedic practice requires physical, mental performance at a consistent and sustained level.
2. Description of inherent requirement
   Student demonstrates:
   • Consistent and sustained level of physical energy to complete a specific task in a timely manner and over time
   • The ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately
   • The capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance throughout the designated period.
3. Justification of inherent requirement
   Sufficient physical and mental resilience is an essential requirement needed to perform tasks in an assigned period to provide effective, safe, and professional support in the work integrated learning or professional context.
4. Adjustments
   Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period.
5. Exemplars:
   • Maintaining consistent physical performance throughout an entire shift whilst on clinical placement
   • Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) effectively for up to 5 minutes without rest
   • Kneeling down on hard surfaces for prolonged periods of time when performing CPR or providing other treatment.