Curtin University’s first cohort of paramedicine students have graduated and will soon be working as paramedics.
The Bachelor of Science – Health Sciences Paramedicine Major provides students with knowledge and experience in pre-hospital care and is accredited by the Council of Ambulance Authorities.
Commencing studies in 2013, the inaugural student intake completed Curtin’s three-year, full-time paramedicine major, which is offered in partnership with St John Ambulance Western Australia (SJA-WA).
Course co-ordinator, Mrs Jaci Mason, from Curtin’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, congratulated the graduates, adding the collaboration with SJA-WA provided students with fantastic work-integrated-learning experience which equipped them with the knowledge and skills to be at the frontline of pre-hospital care.
“These students have been employed as SJA-WA Ambulance Officers during the past two years gaining invaluable clinical experience, while studying online with the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine,” Mrs Mason said.
“This distinctive approach to learning has provided the students with experience working inter-professionally in the pre-hospital environment, allowing them to already make a difference to patient care.”
Current paramedicine student Mr Jeremy Maitland-Smith said the course was the first step in what he hoped would be a lifelong career in health.
“This course is the beginning of a long path for me in healthcare and even once I’ve obtained my degree, I can see myself coming back to Curtin and hopefully inspiring other Indigenous people to achieve something similar,” Mr Maitland-Smith said.
“I’m really looking forward to going on the road as an ambulance officer next year.”
Students undertaking the paramedicine major join other Health Sciences students as part of the interprofessional first year and then continue studying applied paramedic bioscience, behavioural science, paramedic professional practice and paramedicine clinical practice.
Upon completion of the The Bachelor of Science – Health Sciences Paramedicine Major degree, graduates undertake a final transition period with SJA-WA before becoming a SJA-WA paramedic.
Visit http://courses.curtin.edu.au/course_overview/undergraduate/Paramedicine for more information about the Paramedicine Major degree.
