Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Content

Topics will include: 

Paramedic practice 

• Legal responsibilities and classification of pharmacological agents 
• Drug calculations 
• Bias of a biomedical paradigm and dogma 
• Risks 

Principles of pharmacotherapy and drug action 

• Review of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology 
• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs used in paramedicine 
• Routes of administration 
• Effects of pharmacological agents on body systems 
• Drug interactions 
• People’s qualitative experiences 

Pharmacological considerations to support the care and management of specific aetiologies in the context of contemporary paramedic practice: 

• Pain  
• Respiratory 
• Cardiovascular 
• Endocrine  
• Gastrointestinal 
• Infections 
• Autonomic and central nervous system 
• Other relevant body systems 

Principles of toxicology 

• Toxicology and poisoning  
• Envenomation 
• Illicit drugs 
• Polypharmacy 

 Research literacy skills  

• Qualitative and quantitative approaches to research  
• Critical appraisal of the pharmacotherapy evidence-base 

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This Unit provides teaching and learning strategies that engage students with materials, concepts and experiences that will support achievements of the aims and objectives of the Unit as well as relevant Graduate Attributes and professional capabilities. PARA214 will develop knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology within the context of paramedicine. Usually situated in the second year, PARA214 continues to build upon established skills and assists students to become both an independent and social learner. Delivery methods will be multi-modal and comprised of virtual/online environments and face to face workshops.  

Online learning will assist students to acquire the fundamental theoretical concepts necessary for paramedicine. The information, delivery and exercises will be constructed in digestible portions which will allow for ease of understanding, flexibility and respect for individual learning styles. As students will begin to apply the concepts in the subsequent workshops, it is expected that they will have completed the online learnings before attending the face-to-face component.  

The workshops will allow students to use the fundamental concepts acquired from online learning, apply pertinent skills, analytical thinking, engage in discussion and group work so students can begin to solve the case-based challenges posed. These challenges are designed with a real-world focus to apply knowledge to relevant clinical contexts.   

It is expected that students will undertake a total 150 hours of study for this unit. The hours will comprise of the face-to-face methods, online learning and self-directed study in which students engage with a range of online resources, readings, and prepare for and/or undertake assessments  

National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (Second Edition)

In connection to the learning outcomes, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Standards developed in this unit are:

• NSQHS 4

  Relating to

  Medication Safety Standard

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.1

  Relating to

  Clinicians use the safety and quality systems from the Clinical Governance Standard when:

  a. Implementing policies and procedures for medication management

  b. Managing risks associated with medication management

  c. Identifying training requirements for medication management

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.2

  Relating to

  The health service organisation applies the quality improvement system from the Clinical Governance Standard when:

  a. Monitoring the effectiveness and performance of medication management

  b. Implementing strategies to improve medication management outcomes and associated processes

  c. Reporting on outcomes for medication management 

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.3

  Relating to

  Clinicians use organisational processes from the Partnering with Consumers Standard in medication management to:

  a. Actively involve patients in their own care

  b. Meet the patient’s information needs

  c. Share decision-making

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.4

  Relating to

  The health service organisation has processes to define and verify the scope of clinical practice for prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines for relevant clinicians

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.5

  Relating to

  Clinicians take a best possible medication history, which is documented in the healthcare record on presentation or as early as possible in the episode of care

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.6

  Relating to

  Clinicians review a patient’s current medication orders against their best possible medication history and the documented treatment plan, and reconcile any discrepancies on presentation and at transitions of care 

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.7

  Relating to

  The health service organisation has processes for documenting a patient’s history of medicine allergies and adverse drug reactions in the healthcare record on presentation

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.8

  Relating to

  The health service organisation has processes for documenting adverse drug reactions experienced by patients during an episode of care in the healthcare record and in the organisation-wide incident reporting system 

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.9

  Relating to

  The health service organisation has processes for reporting adverse drug reactions experienced by patients to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, in accordance with its requirements

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.10

  Relating to

  The health service organisation has processes:

  a. To perform medication reviews for patients, in line with evidence and best practice

  b. To prioritise medication reviews, based on a patient’s clinical needs and minimising the risk of medication-related problems

  c. That specify the requirements for documentation of medication reviews, including actions taken as a result

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.11

  Relating to

  The health service organisation has processes to support clinicians to provide patients with information about their individual medicines needs and risks

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.12

  Relating to

  The health service organisation has processes to:

  a. Generate a current medicines list and the reasons for any changes

  b. Distribute the current medicines list to receiving clinicians at transitions of care

  c. Provide patients on discharge with a current medicines list and the reasons for any changes 

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.13

  Relating to

  The health service organisation ensures that information and decision support tools for medicines are available to clinicians

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.14

  Relating to

  The health service organisation complies with manufacturers’ directions, legislation, and jurisdictional requirements for the:

  a. Safe and secure storage and distribution of medicines

  b. Storage of temperature-sensitive medicines and cold chain management

  c. Disposal of unused, unwanted or expired medicines

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• NSQHS 4.15

  Relating to

  The health service organisation:

  a. Identifies high-risk medicines used within the organisation

  b. Has a system to store, prescribe, dispense and administer high-risk medicines safely

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

Paramedicine Board of Australia Professional Capabilities for Registered Paramedics

The Paramedicine Board of Australia is responsible for assessing, consulting on and setting the standards for paramedics practicing in Australia. These standards and relevant domains are articulated in the Professional Capabilities for a Registered Paramedic document. The learning outcomes of this unit are matched to the relevant capabilities, in order to align your development with the requirements of a paramedic.  

• PBA Domain 1

  Relating to

  The professional and ethical practitioner

  This domain covers paramedics’ responsibility to be professional and ethical, and to practise with professional autonomy and accountability within the current medico-legal framework. It also addresses their responsibility for ensuring that patient confidentiality and privacy is always maintained, while recognising the potential role as a patient advocate.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1

• PBA Domain 1.1

  Relating to

  Practise ethically and professionally, consistent with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements

  
  

  • Demonstrate understanding of: reporting obligations, legal responsibilities, legal requirements, ethical and professional responsibilities, and the legal and ethical boundaries of paramedicine practice.
  • Manage personal, mental and physical health to ensure fitness to practice.
  • Follow mandatory and voluntary reporting obligations. • Apply the Paramedicine Board of Australia’s Code of conduct to their practice.
  • Provide relevant information to a patient and demonstrate appropriate methods to obtain informed consent.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Australia’s healthcare systems, their standards and requirements.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the basic principles underpinning bio- ethics in paramedicine practice.
  • Demonstrate culturally safe practice when providing healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
  • Exercise appropriate levels of autonomy and professional judgement in a variety of practice settings.
  • Operate within the current legislation applicable to paramedicine practice.
  • Practise in accordance with the applicable legislation governing the safe use of scheduled medicines by paramedics in the jurisdiction of practice.

  Legal responsibilities may include an understanding of responsibilities contained in relevant Commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations, specific responsibilities to maintain confidentiality, confirm informed consent and exercising duty of care.

  Informed consent is a person’s voluntary decision about healthcare that is made with knowledge and understanding of the benefits and risks involved.

  Principles underpinning bio-ethics must include: respect the rights of the individual, respect the autonomy of the individual, cause no harm, and advance the common good.

  Relevant aspects of the Australian health care systems may include knowledge of service provision arrangements, the structure of the health system, points of access and the range of roles that paramedics may play within that structure.

  Key elements of fitness to practise must include competence, professionalism, including a sense of responsibility and accountability, self-awareness and professional values, sound mental health and the capacity to maintain health and wellbeing for practice.

  Reporting obligations must include making a notification about the health (impairment), conduct or performance of a registered health practitioner that may be placing the public at risk; as well as of their own impairments to practice.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1

• PBA Domain 1.2

  Relating to

  Provide each patient with an appropriate level of dignity and care

  
  

  • Demonstrate understanding of the influence of socio-cultural factors on patient attitudes and behaviour.
  • Display appropriate professional behaviour in patient interactions.
  • Provide culturally safe care for all patients.
  • Identify and respect appropriate boundaries between patients and health professionals.
  • Assess each situation, determine the nature and severity of the problem and apply the required knowledge and experience to provide a response that is in the best interest of the patient/s.
  • Facilitating advance care planning where appropriate.

  Socio-cultural factors may include those related to cultural and linguistic diversity, age, gender, disability, socio-economic, geographic locations; and identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

  Appropriate professional behaviour must include behaviour that:

  • is culturally safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients to access safe and responsive healthcare, free of racism
  • respects socio-cultural difference, is empathetic and non-discriminatory, regardless of individuals’ or groups’ race, culture, religion, age, gender identity, sexuality, physical or mental state, and
  • respects, and so far as possible, upholds the rights, dignity, values and autonomy of every patient. This includes their role in the diagnostic and therapeutic process and in maintaining health and well being.

  Cultural Safety is determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities. Culturally safe practise is the ongoing critical reflection of health practitioner knowledge, skills, attitudes, practicing behaviours and power differentials in delivering safe, accessible and responsive healthcare free from racism.

  • To ensure culturally safe and respectful practice, health practitioners must:
  • acknowledge colonisation and systemic racism, social, cultural, behavioural and economic factors which affect individual and community health
  • acknowledge and address individual racism, their own biases, assumptions, stereotypes and prejudices and provide care that is holistic, free of bias and racism
  • recognise the importance of self-determined decision- making, partnership and collaboration in healthcare which is driven by the individual, family and community, and
  • foster a safe working environment through leadership to support the rights and dignity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and colleagues.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1

• PBA Domain 1.4

  Relating to

  Advocate on behalf of the patient, when appropriate in the context of the practitioner’s practice as a paramedic

  
  

  • Demonstrate understanding of the principles of patient advocacy and their application to paramedicine practice.
  • Recognise when it may be appropriate to intervene on the patient’s behalf.

  Principles of advocacy may include supporting and promoting the rights and interests of individuals, helping individuals to achieve or maintain their rights and representing their needs.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1

• PBA Domain 2

  Relating to

  The communicator and the collaborator

  This domain covers paramedics’ responsibility to use appropriate, clear and effective communication. It also addresses their responsibility to ensure that they always function effectively with other healthcare team members.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2

• PBA Domain 2.2

  Relating to

  Collaborate with other health practitioners

  
  

  • Establish and maintain effective and respectful collaborative working relationships as a member of a healthcare team.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of professional roles and responsibilities of healthcare team members and other service providers and how they interact with the role of a paramedic.
  • Follow appropriate protocols, procedures and guidelines to give and receive relevant and timely verbal and written communication.
  • Effectively supervise tasks delegated to other healthcare team members.
  • Consult effectively with healthcare team members and other relevant people to facilitate continuity of care.
  • Make appropriate referrals, delegations and handovers to other healthcare team members and other service providers.

  Healthcare team members may include registered health practitioners, accredited health professionals, volunteers, licensed and unlicensed healthcare workers, police, fire and other emergency service personnel.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2

• PBA Domain 3

  Relating to

  The evidence-based practitioner

  This domain covers paramedics’ responsibility to engage in evidence-based practice and to critically monitor their actions through a range of reflective processes. It also addresses their responsibility for identifying, planning and implementing their ongoing professional learning and development needs.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

• PBA Domain 3.1

  Relating to

  Make informed and reasonable decisions

  
  

  • Operate within a framework of making informed, evidence-based, reasonable and professional judgements about their practice, with acting in the best interests of their patients as their primary concern.
  • Make sensible, practical, and culturally safe decisions about their practice, taking account of all relevant information and the best interests of the people who use, or are affected by, the service being provided.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

• PBA Domain 3.2

  Relating to

  Use clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to determine clinical judgements and appropriate actions

  
  

  • Apply evidence-based practice principles along with critical and reflective thinking to resolve clinical challenges.
  • Demonstrate a logical and systematic approach to problem-solving and situation analysis.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate the information collected to make clinical judgments.
  • Recognise that clinical judgements involve consideration of conflicting information and evidence.
  • Formulate a diagnosis informed by the patient assessment and analysis of context and situation.
  • Identify the time criticality of treatment, referral, handover and where appropriate, transport.

  Critical thinking may include skills in questioning, analysing, synthesising, interpreting, and cognitive reasoning, and the critical appraisal of literature and evidence.

  Reflective practice may include critical self-reflection during and after a clinical challenge or experience. It may involve structured and informal reflection to review and integrate knowledge including culturally safe practise and findings into practice.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

• PBA Domain 3.3

  Relating to

  Draw on appropriate knowledge, resources and skills in order to make professional judgements

  
  

  • Select or modify approaches to meet the needs of patients, their relatives and carers, reflecting culturally safe practice when practicing.
  • Practise situational awareness to changes in risks or hazards and change their practice as needed to take account of new developments.
  • Using appropriate resources to support professional decision-making.
  • Demonstrate a level of skill in the use of information technology appropriate to their practice. 

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

• PBA Domain 4

  Relating to

  The safety and risk management practitioner

  This domain covers paramedics’ responsibility to protect patients and others from harm by managing and responding to the risks inherent in paramedicine practice. It also addresses their responsibility to ensure high-quality professional services are provided for the benefit of patients and others.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

• PBA Domain 4.1

  Relating to

  Protect and enhance patient safety

  
  

  • Follow patient identification procedures to confirm the correct match of a patient with the intended procedure, care and/or treatment.
  • Obtain valid informed consent when possible.
  • Identify and manage risks associated with patient transfers.
  • Ensure when patients are required to be moved it is in a considered and safe manner.
  • Identify and manage the risk of infection, including during aseptic procedures.

  Patient identification procedures for interfacility transfer and handover of a patient consistent with best practice approaches published by bodies such as the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in HealthCare.

  Infection prevention and control risk management: Registered paramedics must demonstrate an understanding of transmission modes of healthcare associated and community-acquired infections (host, agent and environment); established practices for preventing the transmission including effective hand hygiene; and ability to implement NHMRC infection prevention and control guidelines.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

• PBA Domain 4.4

  Relating to

  Maintain records appropriately

  
  

  • Record information systematically in an accessible and retrievable form.
  • Keep accurate, comprehensive, logical, legible and concise records.
  • Use only accepted terminology in completing patient records.
  • Review, communicate, record and manage patient information accurately, consistent with protocols, procedures and legislative requirements for maintaining patient records.

  Patient information management must comply with confidentiality and privacy. A registered paramedic must demonstrate awareness of the legislative requirements and any other relevant legislation about ownership, storage, retention and destruction of patient records and other practice documentation.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

• PBA Domain 4.5

  Relating to

  Monitor and review the ongoing effectiveness of their practice and modify it accordingly

  
  

  • Monitor and evaluate the quality of practice and the value of contributing to the generation of data for quality assurance and improvement programs.
  • Consider feedback from colleagues and critically reflect on their own paramedicine practice.
  • Make reasoned decisions to initiate, continue, modify or cease care or treatment, or the use of techniques or procedures, and record the decisions and reasoning appropriately.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

• PBA Domain 4.6

  Relating to

  Audit, reflect on and review practice 

  
  

  • Demonstrate the principles, application and need for quality control and quality assurance in paramedicine practice.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the role of audit and review in quality management, including quality control, quality assurance, culturally safe practice and the use of appropriate outcome measures.
  • Maintain an effective audit trail and work towards continual improvement.
  • Participate in quality assurance programs, where appropriate or required.
  • Reflect on practice and the application of such reflection to their future practice.
  • Participate in case conferences and other methods of review.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

• PBA Domain 5

  Relating to

  The paramedicine practitioner

  This domain covers profession-specific knowledge, skills and capabilities required for practice as a registered paramedic

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• PBA Domain 5.2

  Relating to

  Assess and monitor the patient capacity to receive care

  
  

  • Identify factors or conditions that may affect the patient behaviour and/or capacity to undergo the procedure.
  • Identify patients who are vulnerable or otherwise most at risk including those with mental health issues particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
  • Identify contraindications and limitations arising from the patient capacity to consent or refuse to receive care; determine appropriate adjustments to procedures; and, where appropriate, communicate these to the patient.
  • Perform patient assessment and interventions in accordance with legislation, registration standards, codes and guidelines, including gaining informed consent.
  • Identify and respond to a patient deteriorating condition, or inability to undergo a procedure or treatment, consistent with duty of care and statutory requirements.

  Patient capacity or behaviour may include pre-existing medical and/or physical and physiological conditions and other factors that may affect their capacity to receive care which includes culturally safe care.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• PBA Domain 5.3

  Relating to

  Understand the key concepts of the bodies of knowledge which are specifically relevant to paramedicine practice

  
  

  • Understand the structure, function and pathophysiology of the human body, relevant to their practice, together with knowledge of health, human growth and development, disease, disorder and dysfunction.
  • Understand the principles and applications of scientific enquiry, including the evaluation of treatment efficacy and the research process.
  • Understand the theoretical basis of and the variety of approaches to assessment and intervention.
  • Demonstrate an applied knowledge of human anatomy and physiology sufficient to understand the nature and effects of injury or illness and to conduct assessment and observation in order to establish patient management strategies.
  • Understand psychological and social factors, including intergenerational trauma that impact and influence an individual in health and illness.
  • Understand the clinical sciences underpinning paramedic practice, including physiological, pharmacological, behavioural and functional.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• PBA Domain 5.4

  Relating to

  Conduct appropriate diagnostic or monitoring procedures, treatment, therapy or other actions safely

  
  

  • Maintain the safety of self, patients and those involved in their care.
  • Practice safely and effectively across the full range of patient presentations and circumstances.
  • Arrive at a reasonable working diagnosis.
  • Position for safe and effective interventions.
  • Demonstrate an applied knowledge of the indications and contra-indications of using specific paramedic interventions including their modifications.
  • Modify and adapt practice appropriate and inclusive of a culturally safe practice environment.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3

• PBA Domain 5.6

  Relating to

  Formulate specific and appropriate patient care and treatment actions

  
  

  • Adapt practice to meet the needs of different groups distinguished by, for example, physical, psychological, environmental, cultural or socio-economic factors within their authorised scope of practice.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to the factors which shape lifestyle that may impact on the individual’s health and affect the interaction between the patient and registered paramedic.
  • Utilise knowledge, reasoning and problem-solving skills to determine appropriate judgements and actions.
  • Prioritise the care provided to optimise safety and health outcomes for the patient and demonstrate a logical and systematic approach to problem-solving in a culturally safe framework.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3