Auckland University of Technology

What you'll study

The programme builds advanced knowledge and practical skills across core areas of specialist paramedic practice. Study combines taught papers, skill development in simulated and clinical settings, and a practice-based project or clinical portfolio demonstrating advanced competence.

• Advanced Clinical Assessment and Decision Making – focused on complex assessment, differential diagnosis, clinical reasoning and use of diagnostic adjuncts in the pre-hospital and community environments.
• Pharmacology and Medicines Management for Advanced Practice – advanced pharmacology, safe prescribing principles where applicable, and medicines governance relevant to extended scopes of practice.
• Critical Care and Interfacility Transport – management of critically unwell patients, advanced airway and ventilation strategies, and high-acuity transport considerations.
• Community and Primary Care Paramedicine – models of community paramedicine, chronic disease management, referral pathways and working within primary care teams.
• Mental Health, Vulnerable Populations and Safeguarding – assessment and management of mental health crises, cultural safety and care of vulnerable groups in out-of-hospital settings.
• Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice – learning to appraise and apply research, quality improvement, and completing a practice-focused research or audit project.
• Clinical Governance, Leadership and Education – professional regulation, risk management, leadership skills and preceptorship for those supervising or educating other clinicians.
• Simulation and Procedural Skills – hands-on development of technical and non-technical skills using simulation to support safe expansion of scope.

The programme is delivered through a mix of block intensives, on-campus workshops, simulation sessions and supervised clinical practice with partner ambulance services and community health providers. Students typically compile a clinical portfolio or complete a capstone project to demonstrate advanced competencies.

Entry requirements

• Current professional registration appropriate to paramedic practice in your country (for example registration as a practising paramedic or equivalent regulated registration).
• Relevant clinical experience as a practising paramedic, typically a minimum of two years in frontline or clinical roles demonstrating progressive responsibility.
• Evidence of employer support or an agreed clinical placement arrangement is often required for supervised practice elements.
• Academic requirements usually include a recognised Bachelor-level qualification in paramedicine, emergency care or equivalent clinical qualification; applicants without a degree but with substantial clinical experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate English language proficiency to the level required by the university.

Career prospects

Graduates are well placed to progress into a range of specialist and advanced roles in pre-hospital and community health settings. Typical career pathways include:

• Specialist or advanced practice paramedic roles within ambulance services (for example community paramedicine, primary care liaison, or advanced clinical response teams).
• Critical care and interfacility transport specialist positions.
• Clinical leadership, education and training roles such as clinical educator, preceptor or team leader.
• Roles in health service development, policy, quality improvement and patient safety related to emergency and community care.
• Opportunities in research, programme evaluation and postgraduate study leading to master’s level qualifications or clinical academic careers.

Why study at Auckland University of Technology

AUT has an established presence in health professional education with close links to ambulance services, hospitals and community providers across Aotearoa New Zealand. The School’s paramedicine teaching emphasises applied learning: students benefit from modern simulation suites, interprofessional teaching, and clinical placements arranged through AUT’s healthcare partnerships.

Teaching staff include experienced clinicians and researchers in pre-hospital care, ensuring curriculum content is aligned with contemporary practice and evidence. The programme’s practice-focused assessment and portfolio approach supports safe extension of scope for practising paramedics and provides a pathway into leadership, specialist clinical roles and further postgraduate study.

Studying at AUT also provides access to university-wide support services for postgraduate students, including research supervision, academic skills development and career services to help translate the qualification into career advancement.