Aged care placement for paramedic students

The aged care placements are an alternative to traditional clinical placements in community settings.

Aged care provider BaptistCare has signed an agreement with the University of Tasmania to support the clinical education of undergraduate paramedic students.

Dr Maree Duddle, BaptistCare Learning, Research and Development Consultant, says the placements aim to break down longstanding inter-professional barriers and strengthen relationships between paramedics, nursing and allied health professionals.

“Effective multidisciplinary communication and collaboration is at the core of the delivery of safe, quality and person-centred care,” Dr Duddle says.

“These new placements provide students with an opportunity to work alongside health professionals from a variety of disciplines and experience first-hand the rewards and challenges of working in aged care.

“Carefully planned and good quality placement experiences are integral to the success of undergraduate health professional education and we are thrilled to be able to support the future generation of paramedics with this new program.”

BaptistCare Shalom Centre and BaptistCare Cooinda Court were the first facilities to host a group of 16 final year paramedic students from the University of Tasmania in August.

The students participated in a clinical education program involving all levels of nursing, allied health and medical professionals and took part in the care of residents across the entire spectrum of aged care.

The aim was to build on their growing clinical and professional knowledge and further prepare them for the increasingly complex environment of the provision of emergency care in the community.

At the conclusion of the placement, a multidisciplinary education forum was held and students presented a case study, reflecting their learning and the complexity of the care needs of the residents.

“This initial placement was a great success with strong engagement and positive feedback from residents, staff and managers,” according to Dr Duddle.

“The students felt humbled by the experience and they were very grateful for the opportunity to see the delivery of care from another perspective.”

A second group of students from the University of Tasmania will attend BaptistCare Waldock and BaptistCare Aminya Centres later this month.

“We look forward to welcoming the next group of students and showcasing our facilities and the dedicated staff who provide excellent care to our residents,” says Dr Duddle.