Bachelor of Paramedicine

Victoria University

About

Gain the skills, knowledge and techniques to treat patients in out-of-hospital care.

You'll graduate from the Bachelor of Paramedicine able to manage all aspects of the needs of paramedic patients (physical, psychological, social).

This course will prepare you to be sensitive to issues in diverse communities and treat patients accordingly.

Our paramedicine degree is held in very high regard in the industry for its hands-on approach.

You will learn through practical scenarios and clinical placements, and also gain a solid understanding of theory.

VU graduates are compassionate and highly capable professionals.

Studying at VU will prepare you for the real world of emergency health.

Structure

To attain HBPD Bachelor of Paramedicine students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

  • 48 credit points of Core College studies;
  • 240 credit points of Core Paramedic studies;

Students will have the opportunity to complete two (2) specialist units in third year, as follows:

  • 24 credit points of Specialist Paramedic studies.

In the final third year, Students will have the option of completing HHB2301 Health Promotion, HFB3136 Career and Professional Development or HFB3200 Pinnacle Venture in Semester 1, AND HHB2402 Health Program, Planning and Evaluation, HFB3136 Career and Professional Development, HFB3200 Pinnacle Venture or HIP3001 Interprofessional Practice in Semester 2.

Course structure and units

First Year Core units

  • Anatomy and Physiology 1 Unit code HBM1001 Credits12
  • Anatomy and Physiology 2 Unit code HBM1202 Credits12
  • Foundations of Professional Paramedic Practice Unit code HFB1110 Credits12
  • Paramedic Clinical Practice 1 Unit code HFB1112 Credits12
  • Pre-Hospital Ethical and Legal Issues Unit code HFB1113 Credits12
  • Principles of Drug Actions for Health Professionals Unit code HFB1207 Credits12
  • Paramedic Clinical Practice 2 Unit code HFB1213 Credits12
  • Australian Health and Social Care Systems and Policy Unit code HHB1204 Credits12

Year 2

Semester 1:

  • Introduction to Research Methods Unit code HFB2104 Credits12
  • Clinical Practice 3 Unit code HFB2117 Credits12
  • Paramedic Clinical Science 1 (Medical Emergencies 1) Unit code HFB2121 Credits12
  • Social Epidemiology Unit code HHB2000 Credits12

Semester 2:

  • Clinical Practice 4 Unit code HFB2223 Credits12
  • Paramedic Clinical Science 2 (Trauma) Unit code HFB2232 Credits12
  • Paramedic Clinical Science 3 (Medical Emergencies 2) Unit code HFB2233 Credits12
  • Evidence Based Practice Unit code HFB2234 Credits12

Year 3

Semester 1:

  • Paramedic Clinical Science 4 (Mental Health and Mental Illness) Unit code HFB3130 Credits12
  • Paramedic Clinical Practice 5 Unit code HFB3134 Credits12
  • Paramedic Clinical Science 5 (Special Populations) Unit code HFB3135 Credits12

Select 12 credit points (equivalent to one unit) from the following:

  • Health Promotion Unit code HHB2301 Credits12

Or

  • Career and Professional Development Unit code HFB3136 Credits12
  • Pinnacle Venture Unit code HFB3200 Credits12

Semester 2:

  • Paramedic Health and Wellbeing Unit code HFB3202 Credits12
  • Major Incidents Unit code HFB3226 Credits12
  • Paramedic Clinical Practice 6 - Extended Practice Unit code HFB3234 Credits12

Select 12 credit points (equivalent to one unit) from the following:

  • Health Program Planning and Evaluation Unit code HHB2402 Credits12

Or

  • Career and Professional Development Unit code HFB3136 Credits12
  • Pinnacle Venture Unit code HFB3200 Credits12
  • Interprofessional Practice Unit code HIP3001 Credits12

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Subject adjustments

ATAR profile

Bachelor of Paramedicine

VU course code: HBPD

VTAC course code: 4301343031

Campus: St Albans

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  ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors) Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
96.70 99.50
71.00 83.60
61.70 77.15

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport.PLUS:Three years (minimum) work/life experience in Health Sciences of similar.AND:Provide a Personal Statement.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Completion of at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.AND:Provide a Personal Statement.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Additional information

Police check: Students must complete an annual National Police Check prior to undertaking placements.

Working with Children Check: Students must complete a Working with Children Check prior to undertaking placements. Students choosing the unit, HHB2402 Health Program Planning and Evaluation, may be required to obtain a ‘Working With Children Check’ prior to undertaking the unit.

Health status: Students must be prepared to declare their fitness for practice, immunisation status and serology reports annually.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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  1. Analyse, evaluate and manage the physical, psychological and social needs of patients and members of the community undergoing paramedic assessment, treatment and transport, and apply problem solving skills when planning and implementing out-of-hospital care;  
  2. Perform effective evidence based paramedic skills and techniques within paramedic protocols and apply paramedic knowledge necessary for safe, efficient and effective practice within paramedic environments;  
  3. Interpret the paramedic needs of patients and members of the community within a holistic framework and apply an integrated holistic approach of evidence based paramedic practice;  
  4. Perform effectively and safely as an independent person and as a member of a health care team in paramedic environments;  
  5. Be sensitive to contemporary issues within socially and culturally diverse communities and predict and respond effectively to such issues when providing paramedic practice;  
  6. Critically review current research and evidence based developments in paramedic practice and evaluate their implications for paramedics and the profession.  

Institution