School Of Health SciencesMental Health and Substance AbuseWestern Sydney University Unit Code: 401095.3
Discipline: PARAMEDICAL STUDIES
Student Contribution Band: 2
Level: 2
Credit Points: 10
Prerequisite
401067 Paramedic Practice 1
Corequisite
401068 Paramedic Practice 2
Unit Enrolment Restrictions
Students must be enrolled in 4669 Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedicine).
About this Unit
This unit introduces students to mental health and behavioural presentations, and emergencies arising from legal and illegal substance use. Students will explore the epidemiology, pathophysiology, manifestation, recognition, assessment and management of common mental health problems, behavioural presentations, and cases involving legal and illegal drug use in the context of paramedicine. Students will practice techniques for managing these presentations from an interpersonal communication perspective and a clinical management perspective. Acute and sub-acute presentations will be discussed, with specific attention given to the role of the paramedic regarding risk assessment, counselling, and health promotion. Legalities associated with management of behaviourally disturbed or cognitively impaired patients will be discussed, and issues relating to multi-agency care, collaboration and co-operation will be examined.
Special Requirements - Legislative Pre-requisites
Prior to enrolling in this unit, students must have submitted a Student Undertaking Form and undertake to apply for a National Police Check, which is required to be submitted before placement, and a Working with Children Check Student Declaration. Students must hold a valid and current First Aid Certificate from a Registered Training Organisation. Use the link to the Special Requirements webpage below for more information.
Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements
Students must meet Western Sydney University course requirements as well as any special, legislated, or policy-mandated requirements.
Western Course Requirements
Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your course.
Special Requirements
Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements
To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your course, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet.
NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet
Please ensure that you
1. Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one
2. Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history
3. Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements
4. Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.
International students have additional requirements: the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.
School Requirements
Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as
- If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
- If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
- Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire course - approved course providers can be found at the Government Training website
- NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire course.
- Other non-health related requirements.
Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page.
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/learning_futures/home/placements_hub/placements_hub/student_compliance
Special Requirements - Essential Equipment
Students are expected to have a complete WSU student paramedic uniform as described in the paramedicine student uniform guide. No uniform means the student is unable to complete in practical classes or undertake emergency ambulance placement.
Students are expected to have their own stethoscope, safety googles, penlight torch and sphygmomanometer.
Courses| 4669.1 | Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedicine) | CONTINUING |
| 4669.2 | Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedicine) | CURRENT |