• Specially developed intensive ‘catch-up’ classes for paramedicine students whose studies were disrupted by COVID-19 in 2020

Paramedicine students from Sydney, the Blue Mountains and regional NSW are attending a special intensive residential school at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst this week.

Lecturer in paramedicine in the Charles Sturt School of Biomedical Sciences in Bathurst Ms Georgina Pickering said approximately 40 third-year paramedicine students will practice the in-person hands-on skills and patient assessment exercises that they missed due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020.

“We strive to ensure that our students receive the best training and graduate as job-ready professionals who can work anywhere in Australia and around the world,” Ms Pickering said.

“This ‘intensive’ is a supplementary catch-up week that has been developed to replace the practical lessons that are normally a part of this subject which the students were unable to attend due to COVID-19 restrictions last year.

“It’s actually a second-year subject for students who will be in their third year when they come back in session one of 2021.

“The intensive provides students with the opportunity to practice the skills and patient assessment that they will need for the clinical assessment they are required to pass as part of the overall subject.”

The residential school is one of several that are held at Charles Sturt campuses every year for as many as 360 subjects in a range of disciplines including law, environmental sciences, nursing, paramedicine, and exercise science.

Paramedicine Course Director Mr Lyle Brewster said all commencing paramedicine courses at Charles Sturt are currently full, with 130 enrolments on-campus in Bathurst, 90 enrolments on-campus in Port Macquarie, and 80 studying online.

“Paramedicine is a vital health profession that serves the whole community and the COVID-19 pandemic has made people more aware of this than ever,” Mr Brewster said.

“Charles Sturt University is a leading provider of paramedicine education and training, and our students in the Bachelor of Paramedicine recognise this as they seek a practical and fulfilling professional career.”