Trustees of John Villiers Trust have chance to inspect teaching ambulance
Published on 04 June, 2013
Trustees of the John Villiers Trust, Darvell Hutchinson AM and Marcus Langford recently had the chance to inspect CQUniversity's new teaching ambulance during a visit to Rockhampton Campus.
Signage on the ambulance recognises support from the John Villiers Trust, which fully funded the vehicle. John Villiers was a Queensland pastoralist who supported various charities through his lifetime and bequeathed his estate to enrich the lives and social spirit of Queenslanders.
This teaching ambulance is just one of many factors which put CQUniversity's Paramedic Science degree at the forefront of high-fidelity training and simulation.
The vehicle has been coach-built and fitted out in line with ambulance services throughout Queensland, so students will get a feel for working in a functional vehicle before going on clinical placements. It is valued around $240,000.
Paramedic Science senior lecturer Anthony Weber says "the ambulance is another form of simulation that allows our program to be innovative in simulated learning environments".
"The new vehicle will also be involved with research looking at physiological fatigue levels of paramedics performing a simulated cardiac arrest scenario," Mr Weber says.
"It will be used by first-year students as an orientation to ambulance and ambulance equipment, the second-year students will utilise it for performing procedures and skills in the back of a moving ambulance, and the third-year students will use it for a scenario week at the end of term 2.
"They will be dispatched around campus to a simulated case, whether it be a road traffic crash or medical case.
"All scenarios will be recorded and students will reflect and be debriefed on their performance."
CQUniversity is the only Australian university offering the Paramedic qualification through distance education, using innovative techniques and equipment to facilitate blended learning for both distance and on-campus students.
The University offers conversion degrees for existing paramedics looking to update and upgrade their qualifications, including several streams of specialisation to accommodate the various aspects of professional development. Our Occupational Health and Safety Specialisation for paramedics is the only one of its kind in the world.
Marcus Langford (left) and Darvell Hutchinson AM inspect the ambulance equipment 
The visitors chat with L-R Lisa Hurring from Paramedic Science, Deputy VC Hilary Winchester and Prof Brian Maguire from Paramedic Science
