PARA8004 Principles of Intensive Care Paramedic Practice

Critical to the appropriate assessment and management of the critically ill patient is the ability of the Intensive Care Paramedic to be able to relate to a patient's cultural and contextual situation and have an in-depth knowledge of the relevant extra-clinical issues associated with patient care. Based on contemporary understanding and best practice, this foundation subject will overview the relevant ethical, legal, operational, leadership and moral issues of ICP practice and discuss issues when working with culturally and linguistically diverse or special needs patients or groups which will provide the necessary underpinning approach for any patient experiencing conditions encountered during the course. Subject material will include an introduction to disaster medicine, dealing with CALD and special needs patients/groups, the ethics of ICP practice, palliative care, operational issues of practice, clinical leadership and working in the health system which will prepare the student with the necessary knowledge to enable appropriate clinical assessment and management.

This topic aims to develop an advanced level of knowledge of the ethical, legal, operational, leadership, moral & cultural issues of contemporary Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) practice which forms the foundation on which sound clinical judgement and practice must be based.

1. Describe the principles and discuss the ethics of disaster medicine and mass casualty triage as relevant to ICP practice
2. Identify, describe and apply to ICP practice all legal requirements in relation to consent to medical treatment
3. Identify, describe and apply to ICP practice all legal requirements in relation to palliative care
4. Identify, describe and apply to ICP practice all legal requirements in relation to occupational health, safety and welfare
5. Identify, describe and apply to ICP practice all legal requirements in relation to mandatory notification
6. Identify, describe and apply to ICP practice all legal requirements in relation to practitioner regulation
7. Identify, describe and apply to ICP practice all legal requirements in relation to ambulance service/health Acts
8. Identify, describe and apply to ICP practice all legal requirements in relation to medical confidentiality
9. Identify, describe and apply to ICP practice all legal requirements in relation to doctrine of necessity
10. Identify, describe and apply to ICP practice all legal requirements in relation to relevant common law
11. Identify, describe and apply to ICP practice knowledge of culturally and linguistically diverse and special needs groups or individuals, including barriers to accessing appropriate health care and mitigation strategies
12. Discuss the role of the ICP in the contemporary health care system
13. Discuss the ethical and moral considerations of ICP practice
14. Identify and discuss the provision of effective clinical leadership in an operational/clinical setting
15. Identify and discuss the status and requirements of the ICP as a health care professional
16. Demonstrate the ability to form and revise clinical or operational judgements and practice plans when presented with new evidence or information as relevant to ICP practice