DipHE Paramedic Studies

Summary 2012/13

• Study a course for qualified paramedics designed in conjunction with the North West Ambulance Service;
• Enhance your understanding of legal and ethical implications for practice whilst improving your skills and knowledge in minor injuries and long term conditions;
• Develop your role as a mentor;
• Meet the Health Professions Council’s Continuing Professional Development regulations for paramedics.

Please note, if you wish to train to work as a paramedic, our DipHE Paramedic Practice programme is for you.

The Department of Health’s 2005 review 'Taking Healthcare to the Patient' laid out a vision of a modernised ambulance workforce that is able to provide a greater range of mobile urgent care and clinical advice.

Following this, in 2008, the Health Professionals Council introduced Continuing Professional Development (CPD) regulations to the paramedic profession. In order to remain on the register all qualified paramedics need to comply with these regulations.

This programme has been designed in conjunction with the North West Ambulance Service to support the existing workforce in their CPD needs and in addition effectively prepare these clinicians to mentor pre-registration students in placement areas.

2012 Entry Requirements

To join this programme you will need a Health Professions Council (HPC) registration as a paramedic. The paramedic qualification should be equivalent to a minimum of 120 credits at level 4 and 20 credits at level 5. You should be working within the paramedic field.

Summary 2013/14

• Study a course for qualified paramedics designed in conjunction with the North West Ambulance Service;
• Enhance your understanding of legal and ethical implications for practice whilst improving your skills and knowledge in minor injuries and long term conditions;
• Develop your role as a mentor;
• Meet the Health Professions Council’s Continuing Professional Development regulations for paramedics.

Please note, if you wish to train to work as a paramedic, our DipHE Paramedic Practice programme is for you.

The Department of Health’s 2005 review 'Taking Healthcare to the Patient' laid out a vision of a modernised ambulance workforce that is able to provide a greater range of mobile urgent care and clinical advice.

Following this, in 2008, the Health Professionals Council introduced Continuing Professional Development (CPD) regulations to the paramedic profession. In order to remain on the register all qualified paramedics need to comply with these regulations.

This programme has been designed in conjunction with the North West Ambulance Service to support the existing workforce in their CPD needs and in addition effectively prepare these clinicians to mentor pre-registration students in placement areas.

2013 Entry Requirements

To join this programme you will need a Health Professions Council (HPC) registration as a paramedic. The paramedic qualification should be equivalent to a minimum of 120 credits at level 4 and 20 credits at level 5. You should be working within the paramedic field.

Details

Who is this course for?

This professional development programme is for qualified paramedics. You must have a paramedic qualification that is registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) and be working within the paramedic field.

What will I gain from this programme?

This programme will enhance your skill and knowledge base of minor injuries and long term conditions, increase your understanding of legal and ethical implications for practice, and also develop your role as a mentor.

How we will support you

You will have access to a personal tutor for both face-to-face and online support. Structured tutorial time will be made available on all modules within the programme and ad-hoc tutorials can also be arranged as necessary.

What will I study?

The curriculum, designed in conjunction with the North West Ambulance Service, is based around three core modules which form a strong foundation of clinical and professional knowledge and skills.

You will begin building confidence in your learning through consolidating and expanding your knowledge and skills in minor injuries and illnesses. The ability to mentor pre-registration paramedic students in practice, facilitating the development of both yourself and others, is the key priority of the second core module. The final core module of the programme will consider the legal and ethical responsibilities facing paramedics.

As the boundaries of community practice expand, some paramedics are increasingly expected to manage and care for patients outside of their scope of professional practice. Two specific areas relate to paediatrics and people with long term chronic conditions and these are covered in additional optional modules that can be studied as part of the programme. Alternatively, you can select appropriate modules to the value of 40 credits from our wider health portfolio.

All core modules and the two optional modules on this programme have been mapped to the Health Professions Council standards for continuing professional development.

How will I study?

This part-time programme is delivered using e-learning, supported by a structured induction day and a number of agreed attendance days at the Ormskirk Campus.

The induction day gives you the opportunity to attend the University at the start of the programme and meet with teaching staff and other students in your cohort, familiarising yourself with the range of teaching opportunities and peer support available.

Who will be teaching me?

The Faculty of Health and Social Care has an established team of senior lecturers within Paramedic education. The team consist of Specialist Practitioners, senior paramedic personnel and senior lecturers from the fields of Accident & Emergency, Law & Ethics, Paediatric Care and Educationalists.

How will I be assessed?

There are various assessment methods used in individual modules. These include 3,000 word assignments, portfolios of evidenced practice or assessment and Clinical OSCE examinations.

What are my career prospects?

With the modules on this programme mapped against the Health Professions Council standards for professional development, the course will help you evolve as a practitioner.

You will develop transferable skills in problem-solving, working effectively across a multi-professional team, communicating effectively with others, reflecting upon your own practice and that of others, and gathering relevant data and information from a range of sources.

Professional Accreditation

North West Ambulance Service

Further study at Edge Hill University

BSc (Hons) degree pathways for clinical practitioners are available and we also offer an MSc Advanced Practice.

Related Programmes

Please note, if you wish to train to work as a paramedic, our DipHE Paramedic Practice programme is for you.

A Great Study Environment

Although the programme is primarily delivered online, you will have access to all the facilities at the Ormskirk Campus. Based in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Ormskirk Campus is a unique and inspirational place to study. Industry standard resources and cutting edge technology combine to make an interactive and highly advanced teaching and learning environment.

The University library gives you access to thousands of books, journals, online resources and extensive PC and media provision. You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey. The University is also featured in the top four in England for graduate employment.

How do I apply?

Apply directly to Edge Hill University. Download the Health Professional Development undergraduate application form and notes for guidance (pdf).

Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/apply for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

Fees for level 5 CPD health and social care modules are determined by each module being categorised as "standard" or "hi-tech". The cost of standard level 5 modules is £346 per 20 credit module and £570 per 30 credit module for academic year 2012/13. The fee for hi tech level 5 modules in academic year 2012/13 is £404 per 20 credit module and £605 per 30 credit module. 120 credits at level 5 are required to complete a DipHE.

Where can I find out more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course please contact:

• Gareth Moran, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 657006
• Email: morang@edgehill.ac.uk

Alternatively, you can contact CPD Enquiries on 01695 657249 or email cpdenquiries@edgehill.ac.uk.

Modules

There are three core modules on the programme:

HEA 2167 Minor Injuries and Minor Illnesses complements your existing expertise in acute care management, extends your overall knowledge base and enables you to work effectively in a broad range of acute care conditions while enhancing your relationships with other health care professionals to ensure that you can work cohesively across the professional interface.

HEA 2096 Mentorship in Practice will familiarise you with the teaching and learning principles considered to be essential to enable you to facilitate the professional development of both yourself and others (specifically pre-registration paramedic students). As well as supporting and maintaining the growth of the profession, the module will also enhance your communication skills, both written and verbal, allowing you to engage and interact more effectively with colleagues, peers and patients. Inherent to this process is consideration of how this fits within your "scope of practice".

HEA 2097 Professional Aspects of Pre-Hospital Care seeks to address the legal and ethical responsibilities facing paramedics as their role progresses. The module recognises that paramedics work autonomously but have to work within acceptable boundaries and understand and adhere to the parameters laid down by their professional body. It also challenges existing beliefs and behaviours to enable you to move outside traditional boundaries in considering different ways in which public safety might be best served.

Two optional modules relating to paediatrics and people with long term chronic conditions can also be studied as part of the programme:

HEA 2090 Recognition and Management of a Seriously Ill Child seeks to address and develop your knowledge and skills in relation to the recognition and management of the seriously ill child. Children do not exhibit the symptoms of serious illnesses in the same way as adults and early recognition is essential to ensure appropriate management and best outcome can be achieved.

HEA 2098 Management and Advice for Exacerbated Chronic Conditions enables you to assess, diagnose and manage patients with chronic conditions, whilst identifying personal limitations within your professional role. You will also explore the concept of autonomous practice and clinical decision making within this context.

Although the majority of DipHE Paramedic Studies students choose to study these two optional modules, if you do not wish to do so it is possible to choose 40 credits from other modules of an appropriate level in our CPD health portfolio. Please note, however, if you choose to access modules from this portfolio you will need to select options that can be studied online or ensure you will be able to attend modules delivered on campus. If you wish to choose from these wider modules, the choice of module(s) must be negotiated in advance with your employer and the Programme Leader.