Course duration
24 Months
(May reduce depending on study load)
Mode of study
Online, with in-person intensive Clinical Workshops and Clinical Placements.
Pathways
Pathway to university to become a paramedic or straight into work as an Advanced Life Support Medic.
Course overview
The HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care will give you the skills to deliver pre-hospital care in a range of roles, or put you on the pathway to becoming a paramedic.
The moments when patients require emergency care are often some of the most vulnerable they’ve ever experienced. This diploma will give you the skills to assess the situation, put the patient at ease and deliver exceptional care.
Whether you’ve worked in healthcare previously or are dreaming of moving into a rewarding career in emergency response, this online course will allow you to fit your studies around your schedule to reach your next career goal.
What you’ll learn
- This emergency response course is specifically designed to help you build the knowledge, practical skills and empathy to deliver exceptional pre-hospital care.
- You’ll gain the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to become a paramedic (with further study at university) or to start work as a specialist or remote medic straight away.
- Through a combination of online study, clinical workshops and placements, you’ll learn how to assess and manage a scene, confirm patients’ physical health and provide advanced life support.
- You’ll learn how to communicate with, and transport patients effectively in both non-emergency and major incident scenes.
How it works
Learn online, at your own pace and gain hands-on clinical skills with 2x 5-day intensive workshops in NSW, VIC, QLD and W.A. and 160-hours of clinical placement in the field.
Why study this diploma with APC?
Flexible study
Choose your own schedule and fit study into your lifestyle or work roster
Practical experience and skills
Get hands-on skills with nationwide clinical workshops and real-world work placements.
Developed and delivered by experts
Learn from expert instructors with decades of experience as paramedics or industry medics.
Course details
To apply:
- Age: Be at least 16 years of age (parental consent required if under 18).
- Education: At least year-10 high-school or equivalent.
- Residency: Be an AUS/NZ citizen, AUS PR, or hold an approved temporary visa
- Driver’s license: Hold a current driver’s license*
- Technology: Have regular access to a computer and internet, and be comfortable with online study and assessments
*You may apply and enrol holding your learner’s (L) licence, however, you will need a provisional licence (P) before attending workshop 1 (approx. 12 months into your course). Please refer to the student handbook for further reading.
Pre-intake checks:
- Language, Literacy and Numeracy: Short quiz to check basic English and math skills, and help us better support you through your course
- Health: Medical declaration to ensure you are fit to study
Clinical Workshops, prior to the time of booking:
- Australian students must hold current and verified HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid and HLTAID009 – Provide CPR. New Zealand students must hold Comprehensive First Aid NZQA Standards – 6402, 6401, 6400 and First Aid Revalidation.
Clinical Placement, prior to the time of placement:
- Australian students may be required to hold evidence of National Police clearance and a Working with Children’s Check. New Zealand students may be required to the equivalent.
- BSBMED301 – Interpret and Apply Medical Terminology Appropriately
- HLTAAP002 – Confirm Physical Health Status
- HLTOUT010 – Communicate in Complex Situations to Support Healthcare
- HLTOUT007 – Transport Non-emergency Patients Under Operational Conditions
- HLTWHS002 – Follow Safe Work Practices for Direct Client Care
- HLTOUT008 – Manage a Scene
- HLTOUT004 – Assess and Deliver Basic Clinical Care
- HLTOUT001 – Implement Safe Access and Egress
- CHCCCS020 – Respond Effectively to Behaviours of Concern
- HLTOUT005 – Assess and Deliver Standard Clinical Care
- HLTOUT009 – Manage the Scene of a Major Incident
- CHCPRP003 – Reflect On and Improve Own Professional Practice
- BSBFLM303 – Contribute to Effective Workplace Relationships
- CHCLEG001 – Work Legally and Ethically
- CHCDIV001 – Work with Diverse People
- HLTWHS006 – Manage Personal Stressors in the Work Environment
- HLTINF006 – Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
Studying for a career in healthcare can be rewarding and engaging, but we also know it’s not always easy. Here at APC, you have a whole support team with you every step of the way.
- Student success team: provide help with everything from platform logins to study tips
- Trainers and assessors: ensure you understand the training material and guide you through your clinical workshops
- Other students: connect with our strong student community on our private Facebook group. Ask questions, share tips and encourage each other!
The HLT50120 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care is designed to ensure you learn the skills to deliver advanced life support. Discover the clinical skills APC students hold upon graduation here.
During the diploma, you’ll complete two 5-day clinical workshops.
Our clinical workshops are one of the highlights of the emergency response course for our students. It’s your chance to put everything you’ve learnt into practice, and meet your trainers and fellow students in person.
Workshops can be taken at the Australian Paramedical College HQ in Queensland, or in dedicated training locations in NSW, WA, or VIC.
Clinical workshops are conducted in small groups and can include:
- Clinical practice environments
- Equipped, used state Ambulance/s
- An in-house, life-sized simulator ambulance (QLD only)
- Scenario and medical emergency simulation facilities
- The latest paramedical equipment
- Dedicated stations for self-directed medical learning
- Fully-equipped lecture rooms
To review the out-of-pocket expenses for a student’s Clinical Workshop, please click here.
The HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care requires you to complete a total of 160 hours of clinical placement.
Clinical placement is classed as ‘supervised activities in a pre-hospital medical support role’.
Placements may be conducted within event medical services, private first response or security companies, sporting associations, non-emergency patient transport, State Emergency Service, GP surgeries or as a medic with a mining company.
Students are required to find and apply for their own clinical placements. However, our dedicated support team has many links within the industry and may be able to help students source placements if needed.
Learn more about clinical placements here.
Graduates of the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care will possess theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for specialised and/or skilled work and/or further learning.
Knowledge: technical and theoretical knowledge in a specific area (pre-hospital emergency health care).
Skills: a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply methods and technologies to:
- Analyse information to complete a range of activities.
- Provide and transmit solutions to sometimes complex problems.
- Transmit information and skills to others.
Application of knowledge and skills: Graduates will be able to apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and defined responsibility in known or changing contexts and within broad but established parameters.
Career outcomes
Start your life-saving career now
Fill in a short application form and one of our Career Advisors will give you a call to discuss the course and your goals in more detail. They’ll also answer any questions you might have.