More qualified paramedics for the Territory

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is educating the next generation of paramedics to grow the local workforce and increase the capacity of primary health services in the Northern Territory.

Two new postgraduate courses will support qualified paramedics looking to expand into specialisations that are in high demand in the regions.

It comes as CDU has acquired a new fully equipped training ambulance, the first of its kind in the Northern Territory, to ensure trainee paramedics have the modern training that they require to fulfill emergency health roles in paramedicine in the Territory.

These courses build on the Bachelor of Paramedicine launched in 2021, which has welcomed students hailing from Darwin, Katherine, Oenpelli, Jabiru, other regional locations and interstate.

The Master of Paramedic Practitioner, designed to train community health leaders and sole responders, aims to increase the capacity of pre-hospital and primary healthcare networks in remote communities.

To develop our higher-level critical care paramedics, the Master of Intensive Care Paramedicine will support experienced paramedics to elevate their clinical practice and knowledge related to emergency health services, with a focus on aeromedical and retrieval training.  

Both courses can be studied from anywhere in Australia and select locations internationally but will have a special focus on the advanced clinical skills and leadership required for working in the Northern Territory. 

The new training ambulance at the Casuarina Campus provides a realistic experience for students as it is fully fitted to replicate a real ambulance complete with all the essential equipment to provide emergency care.

CDU College of Health and Human Science Dean, Professor Dominic Upton, said the new training ambulance is an important milestone to improve students’ work readiness.

“Paramedics need practical training and learning experience to be qualified and ready for the challenges that constantly come up in their job,” Professor Upton said.

“The training ambulance offers a great opportunity for our students to get hands-on experience while studying and have a taste of the workforce.”

The new courses have been developed with placement agreements with St John NT, where students gain real-world practice as a paramedic.

Explore CDU's Paramedicine courses at: www.cdu.edu.au/study/course/bachelor-paramedicine-wpar01