Bachelor of Health Science - Paramedic

The Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) is run in conjunction with Wellington Free Ambulance and approved by the Council of Ambulance Authorities and Paramedics Australasia for entry to paramedic practice in New Zealand and Australia. It is designed to prepare students for practice as contemporary ambulance paramedics.

Paramedics provide acute health care and emergency and urgent medical services to the community through a specialised body of professional knowledge, delivering care in variable environments. Through the use of clinical assessment, advanced medical procedures and treatment, they stabilise patients in clinically challenging environments, refer to primary and secondary care and provide on-going emergency medical care during transport.

The programme is full-time and involves considerable study. Serious thought should be given before a student undertakes paid employment that will make it difficult to maintain sufficient study time, or to attend clinical experience. It is suggested that no more than ten hours per week is worked. Attendance at all classes, both theory and clinical, is a requirement for successful completion of the programme. Due to the hours of work and location of placements, students require private transport to attend clinical experiences. Access to a personal computer after hours is essential.