The Regional Ambulance Training Centre (RATC) is based at Ambulance Headquarters in Headquarters and provides clinical and non-clinical training, education and development of all staff within the Trust.
The RATC ensures the timely delivery of core training in order to address skill mix establishment levels, in line with organisational reform and the Trust’s Workforce Planning Strategy and currently priorities for 2008/09 include:
Fulfil all mandatory requirements
The RATC will ensure all mandatory requirements are fulfilled as set by the Institute of Health Care Development (IHCD), the Health Professions Council (HPC), and other regulatory bodies, and will ensure all statutory and legislative training obligations are met. This will include maintaining IHCD and HPC accreditation, and Continuous Professional Development.
Prioritise core, mandatory and refresher training
The RATC will prioritise core, mandatory and refresher training which enhances the quality of care provided for patients and meets the changing needs of acute services.
Support the introduction of new equipment
The RATC will continue to support the introduction of new equipment to the Service by taking a flexible approach to ensuring ad hoc training is developed and delivered as the need arises. Examples include:
- The introduction of Automated Electronic Defibrillators (AEDs) to Patient Care Services vehicles
- The introduction of new vehicles, new trolleys, stretchers etc
Meet the changing dynamics of Ambulance Education, Training and Development
Changes in the dynamics of ambulance service provision particularly in the pre-hospital emergency care and treatment environment continue to challenge NIAS. Therefore, to ensure the highest standards of out of hospital care are provided to patients, the NIAS education framework will evolve with the advancing national training and research agenda and international ambulance education standards. This will include the provision of nationally recognised education for ambulance personnel, and the introduction of a Foundation Degree in Paramedic Science, through linking and engaging with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Management Development and Best Practice Programmes
The RATC will ensure that management development and best practice programmes are sourced, developed and delivered to relevant individuals in order to equip them with effective managerial skills to strengthen leadership, heighten awareness of and help contribute to organisational values, goals and objectives, and meet ministerial targets.
Maximise the Agenda for Change Knowledge and Skills Framework
The RATC will promote and support the continuous professional development of all staff through the application of life-long learning principles within the working environment and through the implementation of the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) and Personal Development Reviews (PDRs). A learning culture will be encouraged where staff learn from past experience, ensuring reflective practice, and transfer of learning. The Trust will support personal development of all staff by developing sound systems for managing performance and under-performance issues effectively and constructively, establishing clear relationships between organisational and individual standards and objectives.
Introduce a Corporate Induction Programme for all staff
The Corporate Induction Programme will be available to all new staff joining the Service. It will include areas such as Good Relations Training, Manual Handling, Fire Code, awareness of NIAS policies and procedures, and an overview of terms and conditions of service. The programme will link to the Knowledge and Skills Framework and relevant post outlines.
Promote equality for and diversity of all staff
The RATC will promote equality for and diversity of all staff – with every member of staff using the same framework, having the same opportunities for learning and development open to them and having the same structured approach to learning , development and review. It will also ensure all training provided by NIAS or by external providers complies with relevant equality legislation.
Achieve Investor in People Award
Investor in People is driven by the Human Resources Controls Assurance Standard. It enforces good management practice by improving and formalising current working practices. It should integrate with and overarch the Knowledge and Skills Framework. The benefits of Investors in People include an internationally recognised and respected mark of good practice which provides a link between individual and organisational growth. It helps to ensure peoples skills and capabilities are maximised which improves individual and organisational performance with an aim to embedding a culture of involvement, learning and development.
Introduce e-learning to the training environment
The RATC will research, develop and implement e-learning and e-testing tools to support the training function, particularly in terms of mandatory training requirements.