by Katrina Daly
1. The practice room
Our paramedic practice room is under Cottrell, Towers on Bathurst campus. This room is available for those of us living on campus and studying Paramedicine. It has all the equipment we need to practice for scenarios, including blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes and an interactive mannequin that is identical to what’s used in exams.
2. Peer Tutors
Peer tutors are continuing Paramedic students, a year or two above you, who have volunteered their time to help you! They attend tutorials and pracs, knowing the ropes of the subject you’re studying. They are there to answer your questions and help clarify things in a simple way because they have recently been in your shoes.
Peer Tutors can also be found in the Paramedic practice room, so they are also available outside of class.
3. CSUSPA
CSU Student Paramedics is a student run group on Bathurst campus. Getting a membership with the club gives you access to a wide range of resources, equipment, conference opportunities and discounts. Discounts are offered on clothing and equipment that you’ll need for your degree, including a boot drive at the start of the year.
CSUSPA conferences are always valuable to attend to stay up-to-date with your degree and to find out about new research in the Paramedic field. Conferences also open opportunities, such as networking for the future!
4. Placement prep
As part of your degree you will need to go on placement, so it is important to make sure you are up-to-date with all your paperwork. To be eligible for placement there are three main forms that you will need to have completed. You may also need a Police Check, Working with Children Check and influenza vaccine depending on where you are placed.
This is a lot to get done and it can take a while, so don’t procrastinate on it. Get started straight away, all the placement forms are in the Paramedic building and your lecturers are available to help you prepare.
5. Uniform
The Paramedicine uniform is necessary for tutorials, pracs and placements. If you need to replace a pair of pants or buy a spare top, Charlie’s Store has you covered. They stock the Paramedicine uniform and can help you with sizing. They also sell jumpers and jackets which are great for the colder winter months.
To find out more about the Paramedicine degree, check out the CSU Handbook.
