First year:
You will learn basic clinical skills, including how to check blood pressure, temperature and ECG measurements, manage wounds and administer medication. We will also introduce you to human biology and the body at a cellular level. You’ll look at supporting vulnerable patients, such as those with mental health issues and learning or physical disabilities.
Once you have studied the theory, you will put it into action in our clinical skills labs and through simulated scenarios. You will also apply your skills on an ambulance service placement, where you’ll assess patients, do simple diagnoses and simple drug administration.
Second year:
You will have an introduction to evidence-based care and research methods. We will also delve into pathophysiology and pharmacology, so you get to know more about the body and how to use a full range of drugs.
You’ll take part in a mass casualty simulation, where you will go out with ambulance crews and triage and treat patients. It will give you a valuable insight into how to work as a team during a real large-scale emergency.
On ambulance practice, you will cover life support skills, more complex diagnostics, and management of patients who may require intravenous interventions.
Third year:
You will look at managing patients with complex care needs, such as long-term conditions. As well as the primary complaint, it may involve other illnesses. We cover patient safety and how human behaviour, pressure and ambulance systems can all be contributory factors.
You will do an in-depth research project into healthcare practice. It could be anything from a questionnaire on student mental health through to a review of existing research. We will also look at career development for paramedics.
On placement, you’ll be able to deal with chronic illness and complex care, and also get involved in major incident management.
The course operates on a modular basis. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.
All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.