Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedicine Major)

As part of your paramedicine degree you complete approx. 900 clinical hours of clinical placement (about a third of the programme). At the successful completion of the paramedicine degree you meet the requirements to apply for the Intermediate Life Support (ILS) Paramedic scope of practice.

Entry to AUT's paramedicine degree is limited and well sought after. Applicants who hold ambulance, nursing or military medicine qualifications are eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning and a part-time study pathway. A full clean drivers licence and a good level of physical fitness is required.

You develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.

• HEAL504 Lifespan Development and Communication (15 points)
• HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (15 points)
• HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication (15 points)
• HEAL507 Health and Environment (15 points) OR MAOH501 Hauora Maori (15 points)

• HEAL609 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (15 points)
• PARA601 Pathology and Pathophysiology (15 points)
• PARA609 Introduction to Paramedic Practice (15 points)
• PARA610 Introduction to Paramedic Theory (15 points)

You develop further theory and skills related to paramedicine practice. There's an emphasis on cardiology and managing patients with altered haemodynamics (resuscitation, defibrillation, 12 Lead ECG, intravenous access and drug therapy).

You also become familiar with pharmacology and research methods for paramedics and complete large amounts of clinical practice. Ambulance operations are also covered.

• HEAL610 Methods of Research and Enquiry (15 points)
• PARA603 Clinical Assessment and Diagnostics (15 points)
• PARA604 Clinical Practice I (15 points)
• PARA605 Clinical Practice II (15 points)
• PHMY701 Pharmacology for Professional Practice (15 points)
• PARA702 Ambulance Operations (15 points)
• PARA706 Cardiology (15 points)
• PARA606 Haemodynamics in the Acute Patient (15 points)

You apply your skills from the previous years to develop a safe, integrated clinical paramedicine practice. This includes resuscitation, mental health, primary care and health law. This year focuses on preparing you for employment as a practising paramedic. It also includes a clinical reasoning component.

• HLAW701 Health Law and Policy (15 points)
• PARA707 Intermediate Life Support (15 points)
• PARA705 Paramedic Primary Health Care (15 points)
• PARA708 Paramedic Theory and Management (15 points)
• PARA704 Clinical Risk Management (15 points)
• PARA701 Applied Mental Health And Well-being (15 points)
• PARA709 Clinical Reasoning (15 points)
• PARA703 Integrated Clinical Practice (15 points)

Throughout your degree you complete approximately 1,000 hours of clinical placement in ambulance services, hospitals, mental health institutions and community or primary health centres. These placements require you to be mobile and work shifts.

Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it's so beneficial when you start your career.

Workplace experience in AUT programmes

AUT now offers paramedicine graduates the opportunity to gain a Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice in just one year; no work experience required. This means with only four years of study you'll have maximum flexibility with two degrees and two career pathways - as a registered paramedic and a registered anaesthetic technician, enabling you to also work in the perioperative environment.

• Apply online for a Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice
• Indicate that you're applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• Once you've been offered a place, AUT will work with you to ensure your courses are credited towards the Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice and you're set to go

To find out more email fhes.enquiries@aut.ac.nz