BSc Paramedic Science

Program Overview

This 3-year BSc program in Paramedic Science equips students with the skills and knowledge to deliver out-of-hospital care as part of an integrated healthcare team. Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as paramedics with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). The program combines lectures, seminars, practical laboratories, and practice-based placements to develop critical thinking, decision-making, and reflective practice skills. Graduates are prepared for autonomous practice as registered paramedics within the Scottish Ambulance Service or other healthcare organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This 3-year BSc program equips students with the skills and knowledge to deliver out-of-hospital care as part of an integrated healthcare team. Paramedics work in diverse environments, managing both emergency and non-emergency situations. Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a paramedic.

Objectives:

• Develop core skills for paramedic practice
• Equip students with knowledge to assess, treat, and manage individuals in diverse healthcare situations
• Prepare graduates for autonomous paramedic practice following registration
• Foster critical thinking and reflective skills

Outline:

Year One:

• Introduction to Clinical Assessment and Decision Making
• Skills for Paramedic Practice 1
• Physiology
• Finding Your Academic Voice
• Developing Resilience of Self and Others for Professional Paramedic Practice
• Practice-based Learning

Year Two:

• Pharmacology
• Using Clinical Assessment and Decision Making in Paramedic Practice
• Health Coaching Conversations
• Skills for Paramedic Practice 2
• Paramedic Practice-based Learning 2
• Developing a Spirit of Enquiry

Year Three:

• Managing Complexity in Paramedic Practice
• Paramedic Practice-based Learning 3
• Being a Person-centered Practitioner
• Skills for Paramedic Practice 3
• Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice

Module Descriptions:

• Introduction to Clinical Assessment and Decision Making:
Introduces core theories, safe patient approach, and clinical assessment skills.
• Skills for Paramedic Practice 1:
Develops essential paramedic skills, communication strategies, and basic clinical skills in simulated settings.
• Finding Your Academic Voice:
Focuses on academic writing, searching and sourcing information, and critical thinking development.
• Physiology:
Lays the foundation of human anatomy and physiology for future application in paramedic practice.
• Developing Resilience of Self and Others:
Equips students with strategies for personal and professional development in healthcare settings.
• Practice-based Learning:
Offers hands-on experience in clinical environments under supervision, including ambulances, hospitals, and care homes.
• Pharmacology:
Provides knowledge on medications, their actions, and safe administration in the paramedic context.
• Using Clinical Assessment and Decision Making in Paramedic Practice:
Builds on year 1 knowledge to refine clinical assessment, decision-making, and documentation in diverse scenarios.
• Health Coaching Conversations:
Develops communication and health coaching skills to empower individuals and groups to make positive health changes.
• Skills for Paramedic Practice 2:
Enhances and expands practical paramedic skills under minimal supervision, focusing on safe application in real-life conditions.
• Paramedic Practice-based Learning 2:
Continues hands-on clinical learning in diverse healthcare settings in the Edinburgh and Lothian regions.
• Developing a Spirit of Enquiry:
Promotes critical and enquiring approach to paramedic practice, exploring ethical considerations in knowledge generation.
• Managing Complexity in Paramedic Practice:
Prepares students to autonomously manage complex clinical challenges in unpredictable scenarios.
• Paramedic Practice-based Learning 3:
Offers immersive clinical experience for consolidation of knowledge and skills in preparation for independent practice.
• Being a Person-centered Practitioner:
Examines person-centered care, leadership, and cultural competence to support diverse patient populations.
• Skills for Paramedic Practice 3:
Extends and refines paramedic skills in simulated environments for confident transition to real-world practice.
• Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice:
Develops in-depth research understanding to critically appraise evidence and form independent conclusions essential for lifelong learning.

Assessment:

• Assessment methods include practical work demonstrations, written examinations, and assignments.
• Specific assessments vary between modules.
• Continuous evaluation occurs during practice-based learning through observation and feedback from healthcare professionals.

Teaching:

• Combination of lectures, seminars, practical laboratories, and practice-based placements.
• Focus on interactive learning through case-based approaches, group work, simulations, and games.
• Experienced academic staff with clinical currency and research expertise deliver instruction.
• Emphasis on developing critical thinking, decision-making, and reflective practice skills.

Careers:

• Graduates with the BSc in Paramedic Science are prepared for autonomous practice as registered paramedics within the Scottish Ambulance Service or other healthcare organizations.
• Opportunities for career specialization exist in areas like critical care, emergency response, or education.
• Future roles in academia, research, or advanced practice may be pursued with further qualifications or continued professional development.

Other:

• This course is only offered to Scottish residents due to placement restrictions.
• Students must be 18 years old before February 1st in the year of starting the program to fulfill work-placement requirements.
• Completion of an undergraduate degree in the paramedic field is a new requirement in Scotland, allowing for broader scope of practice beyond acute trauma cases.
• QMU's program boasts strong industry links, providing access to diverse clinical placements.
• The course utilizes modern facilities and specialized clinical teaching environments.
• QMU is ranked 1st in the UK for Paramedic Science in the Guardian University Guide 2024, highlighting the program's excellence in teaching, research, and student experience.