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Bachelor of Paramedic Science – Degree Categories

Common subjects found in the Bachelor of Paramedic Science

After studying 12 universities and their curriculum’s, it became quite clear as to how to segment each of the topics covered in all of the degrees on offer. This is not to be treated as the definitive list or guide; this is merely an observation of degree subjects on offer; and a natural way of grouping them.

List of universities whose curriculum subjects/courses allowed for the creation of this list. Compiling this list meant combining all subjects from each degree, removing duplicate entries or similar topics; and logically grouping them into the relevant category.

Paramedic degree categories

  • Paramedic Practice
  • Paramedic Function
  • Community & Cultural Diversity
  • Human Sciences
  • Education & Development
  • Health & Wellbeing

Categories were formed to logically group subjects so as to completely cover the spectrum of paramedic activities and responsibilities in the community, the sciences of paramedics, paramedic practice, paramedic function, educational development and personal well being.

Each of the categories, encapsulates the role, responsibilities, knowledge and deliverables within the field of paramedicine. It is also interesting and relevant to cite the Paramedicine Board of Australia and their adoption of professional capabilities for registered paramedics, which covers a multitude of topics.

These topics include providing good patient care, working with patients or clients, working with other practitioners, working within the healthcare system as a whole, minimising risk, managing professional performance, ensuring practitioner health, teaching, supervising and assessing and undertaking voluntary research.

Choosing which university to deliver the degree does require consideration. Not all universities deliver the same outcomes. Yes, the degree and it’s relevance remains much the same, yet graduates from each university will possess a different skill set and knowledge.

It’s clear, every university degree contains a common set of core skills and knowledge base forming a solid foundation in paramedic practice.

Be clear on what you’re about to study

Where it gets interesting is when certain universities specialise in delivering subjects where they deem to be essential for the modern-day paramedic. Predicting the future skills needs of the paramedic workforce in Australia is not easy. It is for this reason, degree’s can change their focus and move towards more essential skills development in areas of patient mental health, drug abuse, care of an ageing population, personal mental health, stress management and/or communication, leadership and management.

Some degrees are weighted towards diversity, indigenous health, global health trends and human disease, whereas others concentrate on substance misuse and toxicology, epidemiology, pathology and/or cells and tissues.

Community & Cultural Diversity

  • Aged Care, Mental Health & Well being
  • Australian Health, Social Care Systems and Policy
  • Community Engagement
  • Cultural Studies, Society, Diversity
  • Public Health and Health Care Challenges in Australia
  • Public Health Overview
  • Indigenous Health/Culture and Health Behaviours
  • Justice and Change in a Global World
  • Population Variances
  • Safety and Quality in Healthcare
  • Legal, Law and Ethics

Human Sciences

  • Anatomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Science/Body Systems
  • Cardiology
  • Chemistry
  • Electrophysiology
  • Human Structure and Function
  • Microbiology
  • Neurological Care
  • Obstetrics and Neonatal
  • Paediatrics
  • Pathophysiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology
  • Psychology
  • Science Communication and Methodology
  • Substance Misuse
  • Toxicology
  • Cells, Tissues and Regulation
  • Epidemiology

Paramedic Practice

  • Paramedicine Principles & Challenges
  • Clinical Practice Preparation
  • Transition to Practice
  • Clinical Placement
  • Clinical Practice
  • Evidence Based Practice
  • Professional Practice
  • Extended Paramedic Practice
  • Advanced Paramedic Practice

Paramedic Function

  • Cardiac, Respiratory and Neuro Emergencies
  • Child/Maternal Health
  • Clinical Therapeutics
  • Coronary Care
  • Environmental Emergencies
  • Health, Safety and Environment (WHS)
  • Illness – Acute and Chronic
  • Major Incident Management
  • Medical Emergencies
  • Mental Health Emergency Care/Response
  • Paramedic Clinical Systems
  • Policy & Procedure
  • Pre-hospital Diagnostic Techniques
  • Statistical Methods
  • Trauma Care
  • Infection & Disease Control
  • Life Support Systems and Function

Education & Development

  • Paramedic Professional Studies
  • Study Skills for Health Science
  • Career Development
  • Research Methodology
  • Skills Development
  • Professional Development

Personal & Wellbeing

  • Communication Skills (EQ)
  • Interprofessional Practice
  • Leadership in Paramedic Practice
  • Mental Health for Paramedics
  • Professionalism and Communication
  • Reflective Practice

What is your career journey?

To discover how you can become a fully qualified Ambulance Paramedic or Basic/Advanced Life Support Medic, complete a personalised paramedical career development plan.