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Paramedic Science (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc(Hons)

2023-24 (also available for 2022-23, 2024-25)

Start date

18 September 2023

25 March 2024

Duration

3 years full-time

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. You’ll be taught by an experienced team of paramedic lecturers and practitioners who are all currently working in practice.
  2. You’ll gain real-world experience through work-based learning working as part of an emergency ambulance crew, as well as non-ambulance placements in a range of different clinical areas.
  3. You’ll hear first-hand experiences and viewpoints from guest lectures delivered by a comprehensive multidisciplinary network of healthcare professions.

Continue your career within the ambulance service whilst studying to become a paramedic. This apprenticeship course has been designed to enable Associate Ambulance Practitioners to become paramedics. The course provides an ideal opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and professional attributes to practice effectively as a paramedic working within a complex and changing environment.

This course is currently open to existing Yorkshire Ambulance Service staff who have successfully completed the Associate Ambulance Practitioner (AAP) programme. Holding the AAP qualification will enable you to commence your studies in Year 2 of the course. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be eligible to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registration as a paramedic.

The course provides the opportunity to develop:

  • Skilled clinical professionals who are able to assess and manage service users across an age spectrum, who are committed to collaboration in health and social care.
  • Resourceful and adaptable clinicians who are able to establish safe environments and incorporate the necessary practical skills.
  • Reflective practitioners who are committed to continuing professional development and life-long learning, with the ability to appraise and analyse research, understand evidenced-based practice and their role in enhancing future developments of paramedic practice.

Whilst undertaking the course, you’ll remain employed by Yorkshire Ambulance Service. The course will be split between work-based learning and off the job theoretical training delivered at the University. Off the job training will be delivered through a blended approach including lectures, seminars, group work, simulation and guided independent study. You’ll also have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who also helped to design the programme. Work-based learning provides training through practice, where you’ll work as part of an emergency ambulance crew supported by a team of experienced paramedics. You’ll also undertake non-ambulance placements in a range of different clinical areas.

If you’re thinking of studying an apprenticeship course or are an employer looking for an apprenticeship for your employees, you’ll also find useful information on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.

Course detail

Core modules:

Introduction to Patient Assessment and Management

This module introduces systematic patient assessment and provides the opportunity for you to develop the knowledge and skills required to manage patients within paramedic practice. It will assist you in gaining an understanding of medical conditions and traumatic presentations, as well as apply appropriate assessment and management. You’ll also have the chance to develop an understanding of normal and altered physiological measurements and changing dynamic decision making, as well as scope of practice in patient management.

Law, Policy and Ethics for Paramedics

This module provides you with the opportunity to gain an understanding of relevant legal and ethical principles within paramedic practice. You’ll be provided with an overview of applied law and ethics to paramedic practice and the application to healthcare delivery. You’ll learn about the professional attributes and conduct expected of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) with a practical focus on the application to practice. You’ll also be introduced to relevant policies and procedures underpinning practice, including code of conduct, information governance, social media and health and safety.

Non-technical Skills for Paramedics

You’ll have the opportunity to develop the non-technical skills paramedics require including patient centred care, experience, communication and teamwork. You’ll demonstrate professional and passionate behaviour to emergency and urgent care situations, exhibiting a positive attitude in helping to improve patient care/experience. You’ll also explore the importance of being committed to the quality and care of service users and significant others, as well as learn from successes and mistakes in line with the NHS Constitution.

Paramedic Care across the Lifespan

You’ll have the opportunity to gain introductory knowledge and understanding in order to be responsive and provide care to people of all ages. You’ll learn how to provide care to individuals in a compassionate and supporting manner, as well as to patients and significant others with acute and critical presentations. The module will also assist you in gaining an understanding of the different approaches and considerations relevant within paramedic practice whilst acting in the interest of service users at all times.

Work Based Learning 1

This module introduces you to the necessary skills required for contemporary paramedic practice. It will assist you in gaining and refining your skills to care for, monitor, manage and support service users and their families during clinical practice. This practical module provides the opportunity to learn and develop skills through simulated and paramedic practice placements with the ambulance service and other healthcare environments.

Entry requirements

To apply for this course Yorkshire Ambulance Service employees must:

  • Have Associate Ambulance Practitioner (AAP) Level 4.
  • Have a minimum of 2 years’ experience accident and emergency experience.
  • Have Level 2 qualification in Functional skills in both Maths and English (or equivalent).
  • Be compliant with all trust Statutory and Mandatory training.

All the information provided in support of your application may be checked and must be verifiable as a true record. Every person who applies for this course and meets the minimum entry requirement will be given the same opportunity in the selection process. A joint selection will be held between the University of Huddersfield and Yorkshire Ambulance Service. You must have approval from your operational line manager.

Offers will be subject to Occupational Health clearance and references from your employer. You also need satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) completed within the 6 months prior to starting the course.

You need to be able to meet the physical demands of a variety of placement settings. As per Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (2014) ‘Standards of Proficiency’, you must be able to ‘understand and be able to apply appropriate moving and handling techniques’. Having a disability should not be seen as a barrier to becoming a health and care professional. As such the University will consider reasonable adjustments, in line with any disclosed application. Further guidance relating to becoming a health and care professional is found in the HCPC (2015) ‘Health, disability and becoming a health and care professional’ guidance.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Placements


Work based learning is a compulsory element of the course and you’ll this will be mainly undertaken in blocks. As well as working as part of an emergency ambulance crew supported by a team of experienced paramedics, you’ll also undertake non-ambulance placements in a range of different clinical areas. These may include acute mental health, emergency departments, minor injuries and illness, maternity and theatres.

“The non-ambulance placements are insightful, inspiring and empowering. Its insightful to see behind the scenes in various settings. Its inspiring to watch multidisciplinary teams treating patients. Its also empowering as it provides background knowledge for when patients ask questions."

0

Darrel Bedford, Currently studying Paramedic Science (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc(Hons)

Your career


Successful completion of the course and passing the End Point Assessment will provide the opportunity for learners to gain a BSc(Hons) in Paramedic Science, and eligibility to apply for entry to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register.

The role of the paramedic and the areas in which they work have become increasingly varied within clinical, management, education and research areas. The course provides the gateway to the profession and many future opportunities within Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Human and Health Sciences, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Hub: a one stop shop for students, studying within the School. Their services include offering advice on extenuating circumstances, extension requests, course progression, suspension and welfare support, organising appointments with academic staff and signposting to other support networks.

Academic Skills Development Team: support students to develop their academic skills and build their confidence in order to improve their grades. The team provide support with academic skills including essay writing, being critical, reflective writing, numeracy, research skills, presentations and group work skills; as well as personal development for example time management.

Learning Technology Support Unit: helps students with any problems they experience with the University’s Brightspace Learning System, including logging on or difficulties experienced when accessing and using modules, and with the PebblePad platform, which is used by students when they go out on placements.

Support services will also be available from your Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

Equal opportunities

The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

Data protection

The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

Students’ Union membership

Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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