Graduate Diploma of Community Paramedicine

At the end of the program, students of the Graduate Diploma of Extended Care Paramedicine can:

1. apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories in authentic extended care Paramedicine contexts
2. communicate complex medical and paramedical knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate an advanced level of extended care Paramedicine
3. use high level self-management skills to initiate, appraise and operate in complex and dynamic extended care Paramedicine professional environments.

Graduates of this program will be well-placed to take on the clinical leadership challenges of Paramedicine.

Possible future job titles: Paramedic Practitioner, Paramedic, Extended Care Paramedic, Advanced Care Paramedic, Community Paramedic

Higher education

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants.

All applicants are required to have a Bachelor’s degree in Paramedicine, or have completed a Graduate Certificate of Extended Care Paramedicine, with equivalents considered. Alternatively applicants can have equivalent prior learning including at least five years appropriate professional experience, or AHPRA Registration (Australia) or equivalent from HCPC (UK) or Paramedic Council (NZ), with equivalents considered.

Work and Life

Alternatively applicants can have equivalent prior learning including at least five years appropriate professional experience, or AHPRA Registration (Australia) or equivalent from HCPC (UK) or Paramedic Council (NZ), with equivalents considered.

English Proficiency Requirements

Students can satisfy English competency requirements by showing any 

of the following:

• An IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0).
• Completion of a Bachelor degree from a country specified by ECU.
• Completion of 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).
• Equivalent prior learning courses including at least five years relevant professional experience – as accepted by ECU.
• Completion of other tests, courses or programs as accepted by ECU

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. For eligible students, ECU offers credit and recognition of prior learning (CRPL). There are 2 CRPL options: 

• Credit transfer to acknowledge students’ formal learning at uni or TAFE. 

• Recognition of students’ informal learning gained outside of the education system (for example workplace experience or volunteer training.)

This course is designed to provide the paramedic with the necessary knowledge and skills for a career as a team leader or single responder in Extended Care Paramedicine.

The course focuses on the clinical issues directly related to practice, and develops a greater depth of understanding to enhance clinical decision-making and critical thinking. Students will learn advanced-level clinical knowledge to apply to their daily paramedical practice, while at the same time learning advanced skills in evidence-based practice.

The combination of advanced clinical knowledge and applied research knowledge and skills provides students with the ability to continuously improve their own clinical practice, as well as impact on the organisation they are employed by and the broader Paramedicine community.

Recommended Study Pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Advanced Clinical Examination and Leadership for Paramedics
• Paramedic Advanced Practice 1
• Ageing, Health and Wellbeing
• Paramedic Advanced Practice 2
• Paramedic Advanced Practice 3

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.