The Paramedicine Board of Australia (the Board) has approved an interim Supervised practice framework for paramedics (the framework) to enable a responsive and risk-based approach to supervised practice across the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme). The framework will create consistency in regulatory processes and decision-making and help supervisors and supervisees understand what is expected of them. The Board will join the other National Boards in consulting the supervised practice framework in the coming months.
The expanded framework has been developed by the Board to support the transition of paramedics into the regulatory framework of the National Scheme. It also offers practitioners who don’t immediately satisfy the provisions of the grandparenting pathway under section 311(1)(b) of the National Law1, a broader set of opportunities to carry out a period of supervised practice to demonstrate they are competent and qualified to become a registered paramedic.
The Board may approve custom supervised practice arrangements if they are satisfied that the clinical governance of the proposed supervision arrangements is sufficient to ensure that the public is adequately protected while supervision is undertaken.
Supervised practice can take place under the control of a registered paramedic, another registered health professional (provided they are suitably experienced in relation to paramedic practice), a jurisdictional ambulance service or a health service organisation which meets the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care standards for clinical governance or similar.
Each application will be considered on its individual merits, considering the individual, the role contemplated and the supervision available. This option will only be available during the grandparenting period and all supervised practice will need to be completed and final documentation submitted prior to the end of the three-year grandparenting period.
Read the news item on the expanded supervised practice framework for grandparenting.
Important information for supervisors
Supervised practice plan for grandparenting
1 Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (the National Law) as in force in each state and territory.