Diploma of Paramedical Science

You will gain clinical skills and theoretical knowledge to treat and transport patients.

This course will prepare you to work in pre-hospital and out-of-hospital care in the health care industry.

You’ll be qualified to work in the private and non-emergency patient transport sector as an Ambulance Transport Attendant (ATA) in Victoria.

You will complete practical clinical placements and be introduced, under supervision, to the responsibilities of an ATA to ensure you graduate job-ready.

This diploma provides the skills required by some state ambulance authorities and non-emergency patient transport companies to deliver patient care and transport services.

To be awarded HLT51015 Diploma of Paramedical Science, a student must successfully complete a total of seventeen (17) units of competency, comprising of:

• nine (9) core units, and;
• eight (8) elective units, of which:
• at least four (4) units must be selected from the electives listed within the HLT51015 Diploma of Paramedical Science qualification;
• up to four (4) units may be selected from the electives listed within the HLT51015 Diploma of Paramedical Science qualification, any endorsed training package or accredited course - these units must be relevant to the work outcome.

All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

Course structure and units

CORE UNITS

• CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people
• CHCLEG001 - Work legally and ethically
• HLTAAP002 - Confirm physical health status
• HLTAMB001 - Follow procedures for routine safe removal of patient
• HLTAMB008 - Assess and deliver standard clinical care
• HLTAMB012 - Communicate in complex situations to support health care
• HLTINF001 - Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
• HLTWHS002 - Follow safe work practices for direct client care
• HLTWHS006 - Manage personal stressors in the work environment

ELECTIVE UNITS

• CHCMHS005 - Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
• HLTAMB003 - Transport emergency patients
• HLTAMB011 - Manage a routine non-emergency scene
• HLTAMB013 - Contribute to managing the scene of an emergency
• HLTAMB014 - Transport non-emergency patients under operational conditions

Imported

• BSBMED301 - Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
• CHCPOL003 - Research and apply evidence to practice
• CHCPRP005 - Engage with health professionals and the health system

Units in Transition

These units are only available for current/continuing students. They are not available for new and prospective students.

• CHCCCS020 - Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
• HLTAID006 - Provide advanced first aid
• HLTAMB002 - Implement safe access and egress in an emergency

Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers

Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

• All applicants must provide a current and valid Drivers Licence (minimum probationary).
• All applicants must complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (LLN). VU Polytechnic use the Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) tool for this assessment and applicants must achieve level four (4) in both literacy and numeracy. Applicants who complete the ACSF assessment tool the minimum exit level three (3) for both literacy and numeracy must be achieved.
• Applicants will be required to attend an interview. Applicants will be given four (4) scenarios based questions, and five (5) minutes preparation time prior to a fifteen minutes interview. Applicants will be scored based on their answers according the key points outlined in the assessor's guide.

• This delivery model requires applicants to have successfully completed previous studies. All applicants must provide one (1) of the following documents.
• HLT31115 Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport
• HLT41115 Certificate IV in Health Care
• Academic transcript with the following five (5) minimum unit of competency listed below:
• HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
• HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care
• HLTAMB001 Follow procedures for routine safe removal of patient
• CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
• HLTAMB014 Transport non emergency patients under operational condition

Placement requirements:

• A current Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• A satisfactory Police Record check
• A Health Status check (immunisations status) are required for clinical placement purposes.

Pathways from VU courses

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.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

Pathways to further study

On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:

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

Find out more about our study pathways to VU

This qualification reflects the role of pre-hospital and out-of-hospital workers employed by State/Territory ambulance authorities, the Australian Defence Force and the private sector to provide patient assessment, healthcare and transport services. These workers possess clinical skills and theoretical knowledge and provide clinical assessment and pre-hospital and out-of-hospital interventions to patients in an emergency, including providing advanced skills in life support.