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Accident & Emergency

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

How to Become a Paramedic in Northern Ireland

There are presently two routes available for people to become paramedics within Northern Ireland:

  • Undergraduate study at Ulster University
  • Qualified EMT/AAP internal progression route within NIAS

BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science Programme – Ulster University

  • This three year degree, based at Derry Londonderry Campus, will provide you with the knowledge and skills to become a competent and confident Paramedic who is educated to deliver safe, person-centred, evidence informed care across community, hospital and ambulance services. This programme is approved by the HCPC.
  • Entry criteria – A’Level Grades BBC or equivalent (for example, BTEC Level 3 extended Diploma – award DMM), and GSCE’s grade C (4) or above in English, Maths and Science or equivalent*.
  • This course can be applied for via the normal UCAS process, with applications usually closing on 31st January each year.
  • Please see the UU website for further details.
  • UU undergraduates will be invited to apply for Newly Qualified Paramedic vacancies with NIAS during the third year of the BSc (Hons) programme.
  • *N.B. this programme is administered and managed by Ulster University. The above information will be subject to change, please check the UU website for up-to-date information.

Recruitment of Paramedics from outside of Northern Ireland

  • HCPC registered paramedics who have been educated outside of Northern Ireland, are able to apply for Paramedic or Newly Qualified Paramedic vacancies within NIAS, depending on the current stage of the applicant’s career. All recruitment for the above roles is advertised on hscni.net

Programme Aim

The overall aim of the programme is to equip learners with the essential theoretical, practical, and interpersonal skills and competences to fulfil the role and responsibilities of an EMT.

Programme Delivery

The programme will be delivered by tutors from the NIAS Clinical Education Department who all have practical experience as Paramedics and hold appropriate teaching and assessment qualifications. In addition, other internal and/or external lecturers with specialist expertise may be commissioned to provide education and training in specific areas.

The academic programme lasts 23 weeks and will include a combination of face-to-face classroom-based learning, practice-based learning and 4 weeks’ ambulance driving training. In addition, learners will be required to undertake self-directed study. On completion of the 23 weeks’ taught elements, learners must complete a minimum of 750 hours (20 weeks) in practice-based learning, during which they will receive appropriate mentorship, support, and assessment by the Divisional Education Teams

Achievement of the programme will be assessed through written examinations and practical assessments. The assessments are an integral part of the programme, and all elements (including clinical and driving) must be completed successfully in order to progress and achieve the AAP award and to undertake the role of an EMT.

The programme will be delivered on a full-time basis. Periods of practice-based learning will require working as a member of a frontline Accident & Emergency (A&E) crew. Your placement hours will be based on a 37.5- hour week (inclusive of meal breaks) covering a 24/7 shift pattern. The exact requirements of your shift pattern will depend on your allocated ambulance station and may require you to work 12-hour shifts, which will include day shifts, night shifts, weekend shifts and shifts on public holidays. All elements of the programme, including practice placements, require mandatory attendance.

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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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‘

 

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