The practical component of the Certificate IV in Health Care is a major milestone in the training and development of our students; therefore there are some pre-requisites before attendance is possible. With sweeping changes to the course structure, a 12 day practical assessment is required at one of our training clinics on the Gold Coast or in Sydney.
Cert IV students are required to possess high-level knowledge of the before attending. This knowledge is acquired over the first 4-6 months of the course
The College has consulted with a national authority on this subject which clearly outlines the average time frames taken to complete each unit in the Cert IV. Therefore we suggest a study period of somewhere in the region of 5 months (3 hours study per day) and complete around 9 units to reach the standard of knowledge required to enrol in the practical course.
Classroom and outdoor scenarios
The practical assessment component of this course is not a sit down and ‘listen to the trainers talk all day’ type of activity, although the first week, there is a fair bit of theory to cover. In the second week, it’s time for students to put theory into practice and get involved in the many scenarios that have been developed to test their knowledge.
Some of the scenarios include dealing with trauma cases, cardiac arrest, trauma associated with a fall, environmental emergencies and car accidents that require rapid extrication – you will never know what to expect next. Our trainers themselves have between them, many years of real-life experience dealing with a wide range of unexpected situations. All students will gain the benefit of this knowledge – so be prepared for anything.
This is exactly the type of training you need because as a trained medic, anything can happen; you need the confidence, scene management, communication and clinical skills to remain calm and in control at all times.
Remembering of course that what is expected of a paramedic runs far deeper than that of being able to administer essential medical care. As a trained professional, you’ll be relied upon to make snap decisions in difficult situations as well as draw on your knowledge of Law as well as Work Health and Safety issues.
Ambulance operations
As a paramedic, one of the most important aspects of your job is to respond to emergencies in a safe manner. The ambulance is the most recognised vehicle on the roadways and gets the respect it deserves from other road users.
However, these vehicles are much larger than the average car, so it is absolutely essential to learn how to safely operate and maintain them. The College has a fully-equipped Mercedes ‘Sprinter’ ambulance, which is identical to the ones used by most state ambulance services across Australia.
Our trainers will ensure each student spends as much time as possible getting familiar with the ambulance and its equipment. Not forgetting the ambulance driving assessment where responding to local traffic conditions will really test your abilities. Upon arrival at your destination you may be required to perform a patient handover in a simulated hospital triage environment and again, expect the unexpected!
What you will be learning
Students must fully understand their drug and pharmacology protocols because there are many scenarios that will require this level of knowledge.
The following list is an example of what is covered at the practical course.
- Australian Resuscitation Council – Basic Life Support including use of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways, oxygen administration and bag valve mask ventilation.
- Use of Infection Control practices relevant to clinical environment
- Work Health and Safety management of the emergency environment for paramedics, including: lifting techniques and stress management
- Attendance at and initial management of the full range of emergency callouts including: cardiac arrest and other cardiac conditions, medical emergencies, road traffic accidents, traumatic injuries and environmental conditions
- Use of specialised paramedical equipment including: ECG monitors, pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressures, stethoscopes, glucometers.
- Use of an automated and semi-automatic external defibrillator
- Administration of a limited range of medications according to protocol to assist with the management of asthma, anaphylaxis, burns, chest pain, acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (ACPO), hypoglycaemia & pain control
- Patient care procedures including: intramuscular injections, chest auscultation, abdominal assessments, 4 lead ECG, haemorrhage control using M.A.T.s (mechanical arterial tourniquets).
- Mental Health Crisis Intervention
- Management of patients across the lifespan including emergency childbirth (uncomplicated)
- Use of immobilisation equipment, including: c-spine collars, spinal boards, CT-6 traction leg splint, SAM pelvic sling
- Use of patient movement equipment, including: extrication boards, scoop stretchers, KED, slide sheets and carry sheets.
- Emergency triage
- Emergency and non-emergency driving (fully equipped ambulance)
Practical course locations
Our training centres are conveniently located in Sydney and Miami on the Gold Coast, with more locations planned for 2016-17.
Attendance at the practical workshop is crucial in the development of your hands-on paramedic skills. You will experience what it is going to be like to be the one who is relied upon by many, when they are in need of medical attention.
There is the opportunity to talk one-on-one with the entire paramedical team, including trainers and student support staff, as well as meet other students and forge new friendships along the way.
The practical training workshops will enhance your skills and raise your confidence levels to new heights.
See some of the most recent training photos from the photo gallery from the practical course and the extensive accident and scene management scenarios.
The practical course will be something you will never forget – we can promise you that!
See some of the most recent training photos from the photo gallery from the practical course and the extensive accident and scene management scenarios that every student participates in
What’s next…head on back to the Certificate IV in Health Care page.