Paramedic Science

Why choose this course?

If you wish to become a HCPC Registered Paramedic with a career in emergency and urgent care, making a difference to people's lives and contributing to the care within Welsh communities when they need it most, then this Paramedic Science degree course is for you.

This course:

• Is accredited by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).

• Is endorsed by the College of Paramedics.

• Is in partnership with the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust .

• Incorporates alternative emergency and urgent healthcare placements .

• Integrates interprofessional teaching and learning.

• Utilises the state-of-the-art simulation equipment and facilities at the University.

• Includes numerous of opportunities for practical learning.

• Is designed around a Spiral curriculum.

• Is a Welsh Government Bursary-commissioned programme.

Key Course Features:

• The course allows students that have completed and passed the programme to apply for professional registration with the HCPC.

• Fully endorsed by the College of Paramedics, confirms the course content and design is equivalent with their paramedic curriculum guidance.

• Study Paramedic Science in North Wales and support the care of Welsh communities and services during practice placements.

• The course features a practice placement partnership with the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, which includes placements on ambulances responding to emergency and urgent care cases on shifts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across Wales.

• Alternative emergency and urgent healthcare placements within the wider provision of health and social care in Wales are integrated into practice placements.

• Interprofessional teaching and learning with other Health and Social Care Profession students is integral with dedicated interprofessional modules each year.

• The University has invested in new simulation facilities including a bespoke Paramedic Science room, a simulation ambulance, and other simulated clinical environments such as the Health Simulation Centre and Tŷ Dysgu, meaning there are numerous opportunities for practical learning including regular clinical skills workshops and simulation exercises.

• Our Spiral curriculum means key concepts, such as life sciences, Evidence Based Practice and Professionalism, are presented repeatedly throughout the course, but with deepening layers of complexity and application.

• Student membership with the College of Paramedics is open to our student paramedics.

What you will study

In partnership with WAST, placements will be provided across North Wales on emergency ambulances throughout the programme. Alternative placements will include essential care for example care home and hospital ward areas, patient assessment areas such as Accident and Emergency departments and telemedicine placements within the Emergency Operations Centre and NHS 111.

Theory sessions will be delivered using a variety of learning and teaching methods utilising a blended approach, considering Wrexham Glyndwr University’s Active Learning Framework, including lectures, problem-based learning, asynchronous sessions, seminars, clinical skills and patient scenarios. Self-directed pre- and post-session learning and resources will be available for you to fully comprehend topics covered.

The programme builds in terms of academic level and professional responsibility as it progresses throughout the three years enabling you to become more self-directed in your learning with an emphasis towards the end of your programme on leadership and development as a registered healthcare professional.

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
In year one you will focus on thefundamental assessment, communication and clinical skills required to practice as a caring, kind, compassionate professional who values and respects the individual needs of the patient, family, and carers of all ages.

MODULES

Introduction to life sciences (core) - Introduce you to the structures and functions of the human body across the lifespan and the effects of disease, illness, injury, and well-being have on normal body functions

Fundamentals of professional practice (core) – Allow you to explore the professional standards expected of a paramedic by service users, healthcare professionals and the public guided by legislation and regulatory bodies

Foundation paramedic placement (core) - Develop your ability to provide the core care expected of a functioning member of an ambulance crew contributing to the provision of patient-centred emergency and urgent care in the out-of-hospital setting

Underpinning paramedic assessment and management (core) – Allows you to gain the underpinning knowledge, skills and behaviors required to clinically assess and holistically manage a range of emergency and urgent conditions likely in the out-of-hospital setting

Research 1 – learning to learn (core) - Develop the ability to use a full range of resources available to allow completion of both academic and professional studies and to build skills in independent learning and research informed academic writing within inter-professional practice.

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
In year two you will build upon your understanding of life sciences and patient assessment and management and explore service users’ individual needs in more detail. You will also further develop your evidence-based-practice and research skills.

MODULES

Applied life sciences (core)
Paramedicine and the community (core)
Developing paramedic placement (core)
Expanded paramedic assessment and management (core)
Research 2 – evidence in practice (core)

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)
In year three you will further reinforce your knowledge, skills and behavior with the aim to become an autonomous registered paramedic with a sound understanding of leadership, decision making and evidence-based practice.

MODULES

Compounding life sciences (core)
Leaders of paramedic practice (core)
Autonomy in paramedic placement (core)
Refining paramedic assessment and management (core)
Research 3 – evidence in practice (core)

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Teaching & Assessment

You will be assessed by a variety of methods including:

• Practice Assessment and clinical portfolio
• Written assignments
• Presentations
• Examinations
• Skill and scenario stations

The paramedic science programme is a full-time course, and the delivery will be organised into blocks which will be either on-campus in Wrexham or practice-based placements across Wales. During learning at the University, students should anticipate on-campus timetabled activities Monday to Friday between 09:30 and 16:00. There will also be a required amount of self-directed study before and after taught sessions.

Teaching and learning

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our Student Support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion team can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.