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Paramedic 4 (Intensive Care)

Queensland Paramedics perform clinical care, principally in accordance with the provisions of the Ambulance Service Act 1991 as amended and under the delegated medical authority of the QAS Medical Director. Officers are only authorised to undertake clinical procedures and administer drugs in accordance with their individual clinical skill level and the protocols and principles of the QAS Clinical Practice Manual.

A Paramedic 4 within the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) provides Intensive Care skills as per the QAS Clinical Practice Manual. Intensive Care Paramedics are clinical leaders and assist the QAS in the maintenance of clinical quality assurance.

The Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulations 1996 – as amended, details the particular pharmacological agents that QAS Officers may obtain, possess and administer. Use of these agents by individual officers is based on the successful completion of the relevant training modules and compliance with the procedural aspects of the QAS Clinical Practice Manual.

What are the primary objectives of a Paramedic 4?

The goal of the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) is to minimise loss of life, reduce pain and suffering and promote optimal recovery of patients who require pre-hospital care, emergency medical response, or specialised transportation.

What are the key accountabilities of a Paramedic 4?

Provide a high standard of pre-hospital emergency patient care and the provision of ambulance transport services for members of the community.

Comply with the Queensland Ambulance Service Act 1991, all Queensland Ambulance Service policies and procedures and the relevant Industrial Award and agreements.

Undertake and accept responsibility for the self-maintenance of patient care skills (theoretical and practical) for the provision of a high standard of pre-hospital patient care in accordance with QAS policies and procedures.

Have an appreciation of the needs of various client groups including but not limited to the aged, people from diverse cultural background, or with disabilities.

Maintain all Ambulance vehicles and equipment in a state of operational readiness and ensure that QAS premises are kept clean at all times.

Provide information and education on Ambulance related matters to members of the public and other training services as deemed necessary by the Commissioner, QAS.

Contribute to a safe and healthy working environment through an understanding of contemporary human resource management policies and practices and available staff support services such as “Priority One” Telephone Counselling Service and other departmental resources.

What are the mandatory requirements for a Paramedic 4?

There are some Mandatory Requirements that must be met by all applicants. These requirements are:

Hold a current manual drivers licence and obtain a Queensland drivers licence upon appointment and maintain this licence throughout your employment;

Hold a Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Paramedical Practice or equivalent;

Be an Australian Citizen or have permanent residency status, or be a New Zealand Citizen after 26/2/2001 or hold a current and valid working visa; and

A minimum of 5 years experience with a minimum of 2 years full time experience as an Intensive Care Paramedic in an pre-hospital care environment ; and
Provide evidence of currency of practice within this field in the last 12 months.

What are the academic qualifications of a Paramedic 4?

The assessment for Paramedic 4 will be assessed in 2 parts:

Part 1 – Diploma of Paramedical Science (Ambulance)
Part 2 – Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Paramedical Practice

Part 1 – You must be able to provide documentation and evidence that supports completion of the following Units of Competency or equivalent.

BSB CMN 204A	Work effectively with others
BSB CMN 205A	Use business technology
BSB FLM 3031	Contribute to the effective workplace relationship
BSB MED 201B	Basic medical terminology
BSB MED 301B	Advanced medical terminology
CHC AC 31	Orientation to aged care
CHC DIS 1A	Orientation to disability care
HLT AMB AE1A	Enable safe access and egress in an emergency
HLT AMB AE2A	Implement specialist access and egress procedures
HLT AMB AE3A	Follow procedures for routine safe extrication of patient
HLT AMB AE4A	Follow procedures for safe extrication of patient in a life threatening situation
HLT AMB CR1A	Deliver basic patient care
HLT AMB CR2A	Deliver standard pre-hospital patient care
HLT AMB FC1A	Communicate within an ambulance environment
HLT AMB FC2A	Communicate in complex or difficult situations
HLT AMB PD1A	Manage personal stressors in the work environment
HLT AMB SC1A	Manage routine scene
HLT AMB SC2A	Manage the scene of a special event
HLT AMB SC3A	Manage the scene of an emergency
HLT AMB T1A	Transport non-emergency patients
HLT AMB T2A	Transport emergency patients
HLT FA 2A	Apply advanced first aid
HLT HIR 1A	Work effectively in the health industry
HLT HIR 2A	Contribute to organisational effectiveness in the health industry
HLT HSE 1A	Follow organisations occupational health and safety policies
HLT IN 1A	Comply with infection control policies and procedures
PUA COM 005A	Foster a positive image in the community
PUA OHS 003A	Implement & monitor organisations OH & S Policies, procedures and programs
PUA VEH 001A	Drive Vehicles Under Operational Conditions

You will also be required to provide documentation that supports the following components of the Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Paramedical Practice or equivalent.

PUN220	Introduction to Advanced Clinical Practice
PUN221	Cardiovascular Emergencies
PUN222	Medical and Surgical Emergencies 1
PUN223	Clinical and Integrated Practicum 1
PUN224	Medical and Surgical Emergencies 2
PUN225	Trauma and Environmental Emergencies
PUN226	Obstetric and Paediatric Emergencies
PUN227	Clinical and Integrated Practicum 2

For details on the unit description and Performance Criteria for the list of Units of competence above, please refer to the EOQ Evidence Package for Paramedic 4 (PDF / 603 KB).

What is the minimum experience required to be a Paramedic 4?

You will be required to demonstrate a minimum of 5 years experience as a Paramedic in the pre-hospital care environment, with a minimum of 2 years as a qualified Intensive Care Paramedic or equivalence.

Please note that your experience as an Intensive Care Paramedic must be current and in a full-time capacity.

In your application you will be required to submit a “Statement of Employment” that outlines your employment history. Details should include:

Commencement and Termination dates
Positions held and duration
Type of employment, such as full-time, part-time, casual or volunteer duties
Description of work history, e.g.

High diversity of work – large city/urban
Low diversity of work - small town/rural

Referees and contact numbers

Do I have to demonstrate Clinical Currency?

You must be able to demonstrate clinical currency to the prescribed criteria of a Paramedic 4 (Intensive Care) within the last 12 months prior to date of application. If you are unable to provide evidence to support your currency, you will be required to coordinate a “Skills Assessment Report” by an authorised assessor / educator. This may be completed through your current/past employer. Please use the QAS skills assessment report as a guide to the requirements.

In some cases an assessment may be coordinated through an appropriate Regional Staff Development Unit (QAS), where this is requested the EOQ Panel will provide advice on details, location and process.

What are the clinical practice requirements of a Paramedic 4?

You are required to demonstrate competency and currency in the following pharmacological agents and clinical procedures:

Acetylsalicylic Acid	Glyceryl Trinitrate (Anginine)
Adrenaline	Atropine
Benztropine	Box Jelly-fish Anti-venene
Dextrose 50%	Frusemide
Entonox	Methoxyflurane
Glucagon	Salbutamol
Haloperidol	Hartmann’s
Hydrocortisone	Lignocaine
Mannitol	Metoclopramide
Midazolam	Morphine
Naloxone	Promethazine
Paracetamol	Activated Charcoal
Sodium Bicarbonate

Nasopharyngeal Airways	Oropharyngeal Airways
Semi Automatic (advisory) Defibrillation/Monitoring	Manual (non advisory) Defibrillation/Monitoring
I.M. Injection	Nebulisation
Endotracheal Intubation	Laryngoscopy & McGills forceps
Laryngeal Mask Airway	12 lead ECG
Glucometry	I.V Cannulation
Intraosseous access	Extra Jugular access
Plueral decompression	Gastric intubation
Medical Anti-Shock Trousers (MAST)	Capnography

In addition to these procedures you will also be required to demonstrate your clinical currency in all Advanced Care procedures, as per the QAS Clinical Practice Manual.

What if I haven’t worked in the pre-hospital care environment for more than three years?

You must be able to demonstrate clinical currency to the prescribed criteria of a Paramedic 4 (Intensive Care) as set out above. If you are unable to provide evidence of working in a pre-hospital care/emergency services environment within the past three years it is recommended that you apply for the next Student Paramedic Recruitment Campaign. Please refer to the Recruitment General Information page for details.

Due to technical and clinical changes experienced in the pre-hospital care/emergency services environment, it is considered that periods of three years or greater without clinical exposure limits the abilities of a Paramedic.

If I am successful with my application will I be appointed to an Intensive Care Paramedic position?

Initially applicants won’t be appointed directly to an Intensive Care Paramedic position. The EOQ moderation panel will make recommendations that you are considered for a Paramedic 4 position. If you gain employment with the Queensland Ambulance Service you will need to successfully complete a minimum of 2 panel assessments and demonstrate Paramedic 4 competencies during a supervised probationary period.

On successful completion of the additional assessment requirements you may be elevated to the level of Intensive Care Paramedic under the direction of the QAS Medical Director.

Due to the varying protocols of an Intensive Care Paramedics (International and Interstate) a supervised probationary period is required to ensure that Paramedic 4’s are familiar and competent in the use and administration of QAS authorised pharmacological agents and all QAS Clinical Procedures.

How do I apply for EOQ against the Paramedic 4 requirements?

If you are interested in applying for Equivalence of Qualifications against the QAS requirements for a Paramedic 1 you will be required to firstly review the EOQ Qualification Matrix then download the EOQ Evidence Package for Paramedic 4 (PDF / 609 KB). Complete all relevant forms and documents as outlined in the EOQ Application Package. You will also be required to attach all relevant supporting documentation and submit them to:

Equivalence of Qualification Process
QAS Basegrade Recruitment
Shared Service Agency
GPO Box 2946
Brisbane Qld 4001

Last updated 19 April 2005