COURSE INFORMATION

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

I72 Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)

This program equips students with the knowledge, skills and professional attributes necessary to practise medicine as physician assistants under the delegation of a medical practitioner. The program provides general medical training with an emphasis on common clinical presentations. The integrated curriculum includes anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, clinical presentations and assessment, diagnosis and the prevention and therapeutic management of disease. Students develop communication and clinical skills, learn to work effectively in teams and study the fundamentals of healthcare delivery.

 
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants require the following:


A Bachelor degree in biological or health sciences or a related field;


Successful completion of at least one undergraduate unit in each of the following:

  • human physiology,
  • human biology/anatomy,
  • health communication/behavioural science, and
  • evidence based practice/research methods;


One year of direct clinical care experience (undergraduate student clinical placements of at least 1000 hours may be considered).


All applicants who completed their undergraduate degree outside of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland or the United States of America require an IELTS band 7 with no component less than 7.

 

Desirable pre-requisites include undergraduate units in microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, nutrition, human movement, population/public health, statistics and cultural issues.

 

Applicants are required to provide a short resume (maximum 4 pages) and a statement on why they would like to be a physician assistant (maximum 1 page) with their application form.

 

Applicants maybe shortlisted for an interview based on academic performance in relevant undergraduate studies.

 

Admission to the course will be determined by the academic performance in the relevant undergraduate degree, interpersonal skills and written communication skills.

 
SPECIAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students are expected to have access to a computer and modem. Shared facilities are available on campus.

 

To be able to undertake clinical practice and fulfil their duty of care, students are required to complete risk management protocols on enrolment and carry out amendments in subsequent semesters as appropriate. Risk management protocols include, but are not restricted to:

  • Statement of Federal Police Clearance;
  • Current Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - initial certification required plus annual renewal of certification – courses available via ECU provider;
  • Evidence of immunisation status as per the Department of Health Western Australia schedule;
  • MRSA clearance if worked in, or been admitted to, a health facility outside of Western Australia in the 12 months prior to enrolment; and
  • The Working with Children Check.
 
COURSE LOCATION
This course is available on Joondalup Campus.
 
MODE OF STUDY
This course is available by Full-time, or Part-time mode.
 
MODE OF DELIVERY
This course is available in the following mode of delivery - On-campus.

The first year is studied part-time, with 2 units each semesters. The second year can only be completed full-time.
 
COURSE STRUCTURE

Students will complete a total of 200 credit points (9 units) as listed below:

 
YEAR ONE - SEMESTER 1
Consists of two units, which must be taken concurrently.
 
PAS5101 Foundations of Disease Management 20 
PAS5102 Medical Assessment and Professional Issues 20 
 
YEAR ONE - SEMESTER 2
Consists of two units, which must be taken concurrently.
 
PAS5103 Disease Management in Clinical Practice 20 
PAS5104 Effective Medical Consultations and Clinical Reasoning 20 
 
YEAR TWO - SEMESTER 1
Year two is a clinical year, which consists of four full-time clinical rotations and a full year on campus unit.
 
PAS5201 » General Practice Clinical Practicum 20 
PAS5202 » Internal Medicine Clinical Practicum 20 
PAS5206 » Physician Assistant Professional Practice 40 
 
Please note PAS5206 which students commence in year 2, semester 1 is a full year unit and students will complete this unit in year 2, semester 2.
 
YEAR TWO - SEMESTER 2
Year two is a clinical year, which consists of four full-time clinical rotations and a full year on campus unit.
 
PAS5203 » Surgical Clinical Practicum 20 
PAS5204 » Emergency Department Clinical Practicum 20 
 
» Designated Unit - a Unit or Unit of Competency which a Faculty Board has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by Board of Examiners.
 
 
 
 
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Student Equity, Diversity and Disability Service website:
http://intranet.ecu.edu.au/student/support/student-equity

Last Updated - Higher Education: 12/07/2011 VET: 12/07/2011