Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)

This module introduces you to the fundamental aspects underpinning delivery of care within the clinical environment. It'll provide basic introduction to the biosciences required to underpin clinical practice when identifying care needs of all client groups.

This module aims to introduce the fundamentals of patient assessment and management in paramedic practice and directly compliments knowledge and experience gained within Patient Assessment and Management I (Practice). Within this module, a theoretical basis will provide support and development of knowledge surrounding holistic and contemporary patient assessment and management with which to transition into practice. Specifically, this module aims to focus on the major body systems including the respiratory, cardio-vascular, nervous, digestive and musculoskeletal systems. Through providing such theoretical basis, the student will develop a basic but robust approach to the prioritisation and focus of patient assessment, following a systems based approach.

This module will see you in clinical practice. You’ll undertake placement with one of our Ambulance providers (London Ambulance Service/East of England Ambulance Service) attending the full range of emergencies that a Paramedic can be expected to manage. It’ll introduce the fundamentals of patient assessment and management, directly complimenting knowledge and experience gained within Patient Assessment and Management I (Theory). Using a systems-based approach, you’ll develop a basic but robust response to the assessment and management of all patients, both medically unwell and traumatically injured.

This module promotes the importance of evidence-based care by providing you with an understanding of research and the impact this has on care delivery. The skills gained throughout the module will prepare you for the rigour of academic work, enabling the development of literacy and numeracy standards, and providing a sound knowledge base to develop key research skills.

This module reviews the role of the Paramedic in a wider healthcare economy and the broader society. It also considers the Paramedic in roles outside of the NHS and as emergency service personnel working alongside the other emergency services.

The human body relies on a series of physiological processes in the maintenance of homeostasis and the survival of the individual. Understanding of such processes is crucial in the understanding of pathophysiology and appropriate management. This module builds on previous appropriate study of anatomy and physiology.

Develop the knowledge of registered and non registered inter-disciplinary health care individuals allied to medicine working within primary and secondary settings with the many aspects of drug administration. Although some health care individuals will not be directly involved in drug administration, it is essential that they have an insight and understanding of pharmacology to ensure safe monitoring of patients. If nurses need to be competent in their knowledge and skills of medicinal products and formulae (Dimond 2003a; Dimond 2003b; Coping 2005), it follows that all healthcare individuals need the same requisite knowledge and skills. It’s this lack of knowledge which is the most common cause of medication error (Page 2001). Dimond (2003b) advocates familiarity with formulae and it is expected you’ll obtain a copy for this module. This will act as a reference guide throughout the whole module, so you become use to accessing the text whilst studying and can transfer this skill into practice. Develop an understanding of the principles of pharmacology and legal and ethical issues. It’ll explore cell biology, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and their relevance to health care practice. Patient issues related to drug therapy will be examined and the responsibilities of the health care team in relation to these. It’s supported by materials which have been authored in-house/written externally and approved by OL co-ordinator. You’ll be required to provide an assignment to support a claim for 15 credits at level 5. This will be a 3,000 word case study. You’ll be entitled to a minimum of 1 hour support for the development of the assessment. It should be noted that there is an expectation that you undertake a total of approximately 150 learning hours to complete this module; this will include classroom interaction or completion of OL materials, tutorials, literature review, professional development and the development of the assignment.

This module is designed specifically for students undertaking a course within paramedic science. It will support the development of patient assessment approaches and builds on the knowledge and skills gained in the Patient Assessment I. This module will include practice experience with opportunity for skills development whilst on clinical practice placement.

Completing this module, which combines both ambulance and out-of-ambulance placements, will demonstrate that you have acquired the necessary skills and attributes to work competently as part of an ambulance crew. You’ll be assessed on all aspects of ambulance care, developing and improving your practice through mentored support of the placement providers and their fully qualified mentors and continued tutorial support from the University and our ‘Link Lecturers’.

With the increased emphasis on research-based practice over the last decade, it's essential that established practitioners who wish to take further educational programmes are conversant with research methodology and the application of theory to practice in their field.

This module supports the development of patient assessment and builds on the knowledge and skills gained in the Patient Assessment I and II Modules. You'll be provided with the opportunity to undertake practice in the skills laboratory setting and whilst on clinical practice placement.

Effective leadership is essential to providing high quality care delivery. Staff morale and motivation, retention and recruitment, professional development, quality improvements, service efficiency and effectiveness all depend significantly on the style and quality of leadership at the front line.

The individual final project module allows you to engage in a substantial piece of individual research focused on a topic relevant to your studies. The project topic will have been assessed for suitability with discussions with an appropriate project supervisor to ensure sufficient academic challenge and research feasibility. The project will be a critical review of the literature. The chosen topic will require you to identify/formulate problems and issues, conduct literature reviews, evaluate information, investigate using suitable methodologies, process and analyse data, critically analyse, appraise and present findings using suitable methods or media. Regular meetings/contact with the project supervisor will take place, so that the project is closely monitored and steered in the right direction. Formative assessment is an individual presentation of the research topic, methodology undertaken (and any data acquired) in week 6/7. This will assist in a ‘feed-forward’ manner in the development of the final Summative assessment would normally include a substantial written project report.

Completing this module, which combines both ambulance and out-of-ambulance placements, will demonstrate that you have acquired the necessary skills and attributes to work autonomously as a paramedic. You’ll be assessed on all aspects of paramedic practice and be required to demonstrate your decision-making ability in time critical situations.