IMPORTANT: the Diploma of Paramedical Science has been superseded by the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care.
The simple answer is, no; you won’t be able to call yourself a Paramedic, although you’ll be able to perform around 60% of the tasks of a registered, degree-qualified Paramedic. (as compared with the Queensland Ambulance Clinical Scope of Practice).
To work as an Ambulance Paramedic, you need a Bachelor of Paramedic Science degree. This is a 3 year full-time degree the degree can be completed in 2 years via the conversion degree as offered by the University of Tasmania (UTAS) if you are currently working in an emergency services role.
However, to work in the private sector and refer to yourself as an Emergency Medical Technician/Basic Life Support Medic or the Advanced Life Support Medic (Paramedic Assistant Queensland Ambulance Service), you can complete the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care and apply to the university of your choice, where your degree could be shortened by gaining credits.
The emergency health Clinical Scope of Practice (CSOP) (Queensland Ambulance) refers to their Paramedic Scope of Practice as;
With the exception of Access: Cannulation, Behavioural Disturbance and Other: End of life etc, a diploma-qualified APC graduate in Queensland can provide care in all other categories. The Clinical Scope of Practice does have limitations for diploma graduates. For instance, a diploma-qualified life support medic (APC graduate) can perform approximately 62% of airway procedures and 94% of assessment tasks than that of a degree-qualified Paramedic.
APC Diploma of Paramedical Science, superseded by the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care. is highly regarded by universities; and are awarding APC graduates substantial credits towards the Bachelors degree. Find out more about university pathways and course credits via the APC diploma.
Of course, some of our graduates are happy to work in the private sector, providing medical assistance in the mining, oil, gas, transportation, events, tourism, sports, construction, aviation sectors.
As a qualified emergency health care practitioner, many APC graduates find themselves making good use of their qualifications. Typically, they jet off to Canada and/or the UK to work as a medic (pre-COVID) or paramedic with the London Ambulance Service.
If your goal is to become a registered Ambulance Paramedic, you’ll definitely need the Paramedic Science degree and be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Paramedicine Board of Australia.
Do you dream of an amazing career in pre-hospital emergency health care, saving lives and enjoying the freedom to work in different locations every day?
Do you love thought of helping people when they need it the most and ultimately giving back to your community.
Let’s make it happen together!
HLT31115 – Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport (HLT31120 – Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport)
HLT41115 – Certificate IV in Health Care (HLT41120 – Certificate IV in Health Care.)
HLT51015 – Diploma of Paramedical Science (HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care.)
Study online, (we have an app too) and go to clinical workshops to get that hands-on experience.
Call APC on (1300 377 741) or tell us a little about yourself by completing a career pathway plan.
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