Bachelor of Health Science (Physician Assistant)

Information valid for students commencing in 2015.

Course code	102010
Version	3
Course type	Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7)
Division	Tropical Health and Medicine

Award Requirements

Course Structure

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites	Health related qualification with a minimum of Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or other qualification as approved by the College Dean. A minimum of 2 years full time (or equivalent part time) work experience in a health related setting
Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements	Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3a – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
Additional selection requirements	Submit JCU internal application form by the last working day in September.
Special admission requirements	Nil
Post admission requirements	Hepatitis B immunisation: Students must provide evidence of being immune to hepatitis B within the first teaching period of their studies. A blood-borne viral disease may result in a student’s inability to obtain a placement in a Queensland Health facility and consequently may result in their inability to complete the requirements of the course as accredited by the relevant professional accrediting body. If a student has not complied with the above requirement by the last day of the first teaching period of their studies, their enrolment will be terminated immediately. Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at: Enrolment Policy – Coursework Students Suitability to Work with Children Card (blue card): This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements that may involve contact with children under 18 years of age. Students are required to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card (which involves a criminal history check undertaken by the Queensland Police) before the start of the first placement. Students must retain a current Suitability to Work with Children Card for the duration of their course, as failure to do so will result in the termination of their admission to the course. For more information, refer to: Blue Card Services Current Apply First Aid and CPR certificate: Students must hold a current First Aid Certificate before undertaking professional or clinical placements. Students are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining this certificate. Some professional/clinical placement agencies may require that students hold an advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate before undertaking a professional or clinical placement. Students are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining this certificate. Australian Federal Police check: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Some placement agencies may require students to produce a current Australian Federal Police check. This is in addition to the requirements for a Blue Card. If requested, students must provide written confirmation of clearance to the Clinical Placement Officer prior to commencement of clinical placement. Application documents can be accessed at: Australian Federal Police

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points	72
Additional course rules	Not applicable
Additional completion requirements	Not applicable
Course learning outcomes	On successful completion of the course, the graduate will be able to: Integrate and apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to provide patient care in a supervised, delegated team model with a medical practitioner Practise culturally and contextually appropriate health care for rural, remote, tropical and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations Demonstrate a community health orientation and ability to operate effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve improved health care outcomes, particularly in under-served populations Display an understanding of and an ability to operate within the health care systems in the community, rural communities and institutions in the public and private sectors Identify a scope of practice consistent with their level of experience and delegation and demonstrate appropriate self-care and self-evaluation Model effective teamwork, in multidisciplinary environments, to exemplify a collaborative approach to patient care, self-directing learning and professional education Demonstrate and apply literacy, numeracy and communication skills appropriate to professional practice. Interpret and apply contextually appropriate scientific knowledge in delegated clinical decision making Demonstrate and apply the principles of ethical, professional and legal dimensions of practice within a supervised, delegated, multidisciplinary team model.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

Level 1

MX1010:12 Physician Assistant Studies 1

MX1020:12 Physician Assistant Studies 2

Level 2

MX2001:12 Physician Assistant Studies 3

MX2002:12 Physician Assistant Studies 4

Level 3

Full Time

MX3001:03 Physician Assistant Studies 5

MX3002:09 Physician Assistant Studies 6

MX3003:12 Physician Assistant Studies 7

Part Time

MX3011:03 Physician Assistant Studies 5A

MX3012:03 Physician Assistant Studies 5B

MX3013:03 Physician Assistant Studies 5C

MX3014:03 Physician Assistant Studies 5D

MX3015:03 Physician Assistant Studies 6A

MX3016:03 Physician Assistant Studies 6B

MX3017:03 Physician Assistant Studies 6C

MX3018:03 Physician Assistant Studies 6D

Campus

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Townsville

Candidature

Expected time to complete	3 years full-time, 4 years part-time (only third year available part-time)
Maximum time to complete	5 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	A student may not, except with the approval of the Division Deputy Vice Chancellor, enrol for any level 2 subjects until 24 credit points of level 1 subjects have been obtained. A student may not, except with the approval of the Division Deputy Vice Chancellor, enrol for any level 3 subjects until 24 credit points of level 2 subjects have been obtained.
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at: Enrolment Policy – Coursework Students.
Special assessment requirements	Students who fail a mandatory assessment in any subject will be required to undertake further directed learning and complete a supplementary piece of assessment in that subject. Students who fail a supplementary piece of assessment will be required to repeat the relevant year of study.
Accreditation requirements	Not applicable
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade	Nil
Supplementary exam for final subject	Supplementary examinations are available, subject to current College and Division policies.

Advanced Standing

Eligibility	Not eligible
Maximum allowed	Nil
Currency	Not applicable
Expiry	Not applicable
Other restrictions	Not applicable

Award Details

Award title	BACHELOR OF HEALTH SCIENCE (PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT)
Approved abbreviation	BHlthSc(PhysicianAssistant)
This is a joint degree	No
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable - this course does not have majors
Exit with lesser award	Not applicable
Course articulation	Not applicable

Honours

Honours availability	Not available
Eligibility	Not available