The next generation of Northern Territory paramedics will be taking their skills on the road next year, as the first cohort of Charles Darwin University (CDU) Bachelor of Paramedicine students complete their studies.
CDU launched the new Bachelor of Paramedicine in 2021, with 10 Northern Territory students completing their studies this year and graduating in May 2024.
In partnership with St John Ambulance NT, the Bachelor of Paramedicine aims to give students the opportunity to experience a qualification tailored to the medical landscape of the Northern Territory, with a key part of this being simulations and clinical placements.
All students undertake three placements totalling 600 hours with St John Ambulance NT at both Darwin and Alice Springs.
The first placement builds on basic knowledge of clinical skills in Paramedicine, while the second and third placements put students in ‘real-life’ settings under the supervision of practicing paramedics.
The graduating students can onto the next stage of their career and apply for a 12-month internship with the Territory’s ambulance service, beginning in late January 2024. Once this is complete the graduates will have the opportunity to be hired by St John here in the Territory.
Applications are open for the Bachelor of Paramedicine in 2024.
Quotes attributed to Chief Minister and Minister for Health Natasha Fyles:
“It is exciting to see the first cohort of the new Bachelor of Paramedicine complete their studies, and get the skills they need to work here in the Territory.
“My Government is focused on creating opportunity here in the Territory. With CDU and St John partnering together – they are working to fill a critical gap, and develop our home-grown paramedic workforce.
“The training these students are receiving are world class, with access to simulation real life settings, and time out on the field.”
Quotes attributed to Charles Darwin University Paramedicine Course Coordinator Sam Willis:
“The workshops allow students to practice clinical skills safely before going into clinical placement and practicing them under supervision on real people.
“During the intensive workshop students learn skills such as: how to assess and treat acutely and chronically ill patients, manage a cardiac arrest, communication skills and students get to drive the simulated ambulance for authentic learning.
“In 2024 we are aspiring to run an aeromedical retrieval unit in Year 3, which will be the first of its kind in paramedicine in Australia.”
Quotes attributed to St John Ambulance NT Operations Manager Andrew Thomas:
“Paramedicine is an amazing career which provides people with an opportunity to work in a changing and challenging environment that has an impact on people’s lives.
“This a great step for the Northern Territory and for paramedics here. We now have students who live local, learn local and will be employed local.”
Northern Territory Government
