The Role of the Paramedic
The role of the Paramedic is varied, demanding and evolving. Paramedics are regularly one of the first healthcare professionals to arrive at any scene of an accident or medical emergency. They are responsible for managing the pre-hospital treatment, care and movement of patients to hospital without unnecessary delay. This often requires taking potentially life-saving decisions. In addition, Paramedics are required to work closely with other NIAS colleagues, healthcare professionals and emergency services. Paramedics are therefore required to be highly trained and skilled in all aspects of pre-hospital care ranging from crush injuries to cardiac arrest. They need to be quick thinking and decisive, whilst at the same time provide a calm and reassuring environment for patients and relatives.
A brief summary of how to became a Paramedic is detailed below with further detailed information contained in the Paramedic In Training – Information Pack
Programme Aim
The overall aim of the programme is to equip students with the essential theoretical and practical skills and competences to meet the HPC Standards of Proficiency for Paramedics (SOPs) in line with the HPC Standards of Education and Training (SETs) and the College of Paramedics Curriculum Framework.
In doing so it will develop safe practitioners who:
- Undertake a reflective and evaluative approach to their professional practice;
- Have sound knowledge, understanding and skills that are evidence-based in order to practice as a Paramedic;
- Can work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals in practice;
- Value continual professional development and lifelong learning;
- Can undertake comprehensive assessment and examination using a range of diagnostic skills and provide appropriate therapeutic interventions based on the working impression.
Successful completion of all elements of the programme will lead to eligibility to apply for registration as a Paramedic with the HPC, and your employment as a Paramedic.
Programme Delivery
The delivery of the 2-year programme will include a combination of classroom learning, written examinations, practical assessments, practice placements, and ambulance driving training. Several of the modules will be delivered on a residential basis to facilitate time for study and practice. During practice placements Paramedic-in-Training students will provide patients with care and treatment in accordance with the skill set and competencies achieved.
The knowledge and skills base for the Programme are derived from the Institute of Healthcare Development (IHCD) National Basic Training Manual and Paramedic Manual along with the joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC) Guidelines. Training in these areas will be delivered by trainers from the Regional Ambulance Training Centre ( RATC). These trainers have themselves gone through rigorous training and development accredited by the IHCD.
In addition, visiting lecturers with specialist expertise are commissioned to deliver training in areas such as Reflective Thinking, Evidence-based Practice, Medical Law & Ethics, Clinical Audit, and Research & Psychology. For the purposes of clarity, these areas will be referred to as Module J. It is therefore important to note that Paramedic- in-Training students must successfully complete all elements of training, i.e. IHCD Modules B – I and the elements of Module J in order to become eligible to apply for HPC registration.
OTHER MANDATORY TRAINING
Other mandatory training will be included throughout the Paramedic-in-Training Programme such as:-
Corporate Induction
The Corporate Induction Programme will change and develop according to corporate, regional and national developments. In general its aim is to welcome new recruits to the Trust and to introduce them to policies and procedures such as Equality and Good Relations, Disability Discrimination Act, Fire Code, Data Protection, Records Management, Complaints & Compliments, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Absence Management, Grievance & Disciplinary etc.
Corporate Induction is delivered by Trust Senior Managers and Personnel Officers.
Manual Handling
It is important for potential applicants to understand that Manual Handling, i.e. moving people, is a key component for staff involved in Accident and Emergency Services work, both while in training and as an HPC registered Paramedic. NIAS prepares its students for this area of work through the delivery of a 2-day Moving People course, and through ongoing manual handling assessment throughout the Programme, in accordance with the NIAS Manual Handling policy. It is essential that students demonstrate competency in this assessment in order to achieve successful completion of the Paramedic-in-Training Programme.
Moving People training (and subsequent ongoing manual handling assessment) is delivered by RATC training staff.
Care & Responsibility
NIAS aims to provide a safe and secure environment for both patients and staff. It recognises that caring for all personnel and minimising risk is inseparable from all other Trust objectives. To achieve this it accepts that prevention of violence to staff requires a high level of management commitment, professional competence and adequate resources. The Trust has therefore incorporated a 3-day Care & Responsibility course into the Paramedic-in-Training Programme. The aims and objectives of the training are:
- To reduce the health and safety risk to staff by providing adequate training in the safe methods to adopt when there is a likelihood of violence in the workplace.
- To make staff aware of the potential for violence by providing training and learning from staff’s previous experiences.
- To help the treatment of patients through staff being able to cope with situation where violence could occur but which if handled humanely and safely by staff will help defuse hazardous situations.
Care & Responsibility training is delivered by in-house Care & Responsibility training staff.
ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR (EXPERIENTIAL) LEARNING (AP(E)L)
Applicants who enter the programme without any prior learning will undertake the full 2-year programme. Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L) will be taken into account for applicants who hold IHCD Ambulance awards in accordance with IHCD Rules & Regulations. AP(E)L will be considered for applicants from other healthcare fields in accordance with IHCD Rules & Regulations and in consultation with education providers of the Module J elements of the Programme. However, any AP(E)L that may be taken into account will be mapped against the Paramedic-in-Training Programme to ensure that students who are eligible for AP(E)L meet the Standards of Proficiency for Paramedics once they have successfully completed the programme.
PROGRAMME DURATION
Applicants should note that whilst it is anticipated that the Paramedic-in-Training Programme will be completed over a period of approximately 2 years, it may be necessary to extend the programme beyond this timeframe due to the dynamic nature of the service provided by NIAS and the exigencies therein.
PROGRAMME STAGES
The following stages describe the IHCD Modules of the Paramedic-in- Training Programme. It is important to note that students must successfully complete all elements of the Programme, i.e. IHCD Modules B – I and Module J in order to become eligible to apply for HPC registration. Further information in relation to the delivery of Module J and practice placements will be provided upon commencement of the Programme.
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STAGE 1: MODULES B AND C
Modules B and C cover ambulance driver training common to Non-emergency/ Emergency situations and advanced driving techniques.
MODULE B – DRIVING TRAINING
MODULE C- ADVANCE DRIVING PROGRAMME
Paramedic-in-Training students will be required to successfully complete written examinations and practical assessments for Modules B and C in order to proceed to Stage 2 of the Programme
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STAGE 2: MODULES D, E AND F
Modules D, E and F will be delivered in a traditional classroom environment on a residential basis to allow time for study and practice. This is essential to ensure the successful completion of each module. Modules D, E and F cover clinical theory and practice. Students will be required to undertake written examinations and practical assessments on each Module.
MODULE D – AMBULANCE TECHNICIAN TRAINING I
MODULE E – AMBULANCE TECHNICIAN TRAINING II
MODULE F – AMBULANCE TECHNICIAN TRAINING III
Paramedic-in-Training students will be required to successfully complete written examinations and practical assessments for Modules D, E and F in order to proceed to Stage 3 of the Programme
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STAGE 3: PRACTICE PLACEMENTS
Students will undertake a series of developmental practice placements in a variety of appropriate settings for a period of approximately 15 months. This will include operational placements during which students will normally be crewed on an emergency ambulance or a Rapid Response vehicle with a fully qualified Paramedic. During practice placements students will be required, through assessment, to successfully demonstrate evidence-based practice.
Paramedic-in-Training students will be required to successfully complete written examinations and practical assessments in order to proceed to Stage 4 of the Programme
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STAGE 4: MODULES G, H AND I
Modules G, H and I will be delivered in a traditional classroom environment on a residential basis to allow time for study and practice. This is essential to ensure the successful completion of each module. Modules G, H and I cover clinical theory and practice. Students will be required to undertake written examinations and practical assessments on each Module.
MODULE G – SYSTEMS OF THE BODY
MODULE H – TRAUMA MANAGEMENT AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS
MODULE I – PAEDIATRIC AND OBSTETRIC EMERGENCY CARE
Paramedic-in-Training students will be required to successfully complete written examinations and practical assessments for Modules G, H and I in order to proceed to Stage 5 of the Training Programme
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STAGE 5: HOSPITAL PRACTICE PLACEMENT
Students will be required to undertake a 4 week in-hospital practice placement to include Coronary Care Unit, Accident & Emergency Department and Theatres.
HPC STATEMENT
Upon successful completion of all elements of the Paramedic-in-Training Programme including IHCD Modules, Module J and other mandatory training, students will be eligible to register as Paramedics with the HPC, as the following HPC statement describes:
‘Successful completion of this programme provides eligibility to apply for registration with the HPC. It is a legal requirement that anyone who wishes to practise using a title protected by the Health Professions Order 2001 is on the HPC register. For more information, please see the HPC website at www.hpc-uk.org‘