Paramedic Science (Pre-Registration) MSc drafted

Program Overview

The University of Huddersfield's two-year Master of Science in Paramedic Science is the first of its kind in the North of England, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to become qualified paramedics. The program emphasizes experiential learning through simulation and practice placements, preparing graduates for a wide range of careers in healthcare, including roles in NHS ambulance trusts, emergency operations centers, and hospital settings. The program is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and endorsed by the College of Paramedics.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: This two-year, full-time MSc program is designed for individuals who have already earned a health-related degree and are seeking to become qualified paramedics.
It is the first of its kind in the North of England and was developed in collaboration with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
• Objectives: The program aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and professional attributes to practice as a Newly Qualified Paramedic (NQP).
It emphasizes the development of autonomous practitioners capable of conducting complex examinations, undertaking diagnostic management procedures, and providing urgent and emergency care across the lifespan.
• Program Description: The program focuses on developing students into complete practitioners who can lead change and improve service quality.
It emphasizes the importance of engaging with complex concepts beyond those covered in a Bachelor's degree.

Outline:

• Program Structure: The program is divided into two years of full-time study.
• Course Schedule: The program begins on September 23, 2024.
• Modules:
• Year 1:
• Foundations of Paramedic Practice:
Introduces the fundamentals of paramedic practice, including human development, anatomy and physiology, holistic patient assessment, safeguarding, psychological influences on care, and effective partnership working.
• Contemporary Concepts in Paramedic Practice: Covers core concepts informing contemporary paramedic practice, including the HCPC, legal and ethical frameworks, evidence-based practice, and safe and effective holistic care delivery.
• Paramedic Practice 1: Develops professional knowledge, skills, and behaviors related to the scope of clinical practice undertaken by a paramedic, aligning with the HCPC Standards of Proficiency (2014).
Includes simulated and paramedic practice placements with the ambulance service and other healthcare environments. Focuses on formulating management plans and robust clinical decision-making.
• Year 2:
• Paramedic Practice 2:
Develops clinical competence in paramedic practice, refining skills and attitudes for caring for, monitoring, managing, and supporting service users and their families during clinical practice. Emphasizes professional attributes and conduct as expected by the HCPC. Includes simulation and practice placements with defined competencies under direct or indirect supervision.
• Leadership and Management for Health and Social Care Practice: Develops knowledge of leadership and management theories and strategies for practitioners in or aspiring to leadership roles.
Covers ethical management of people and resources, effecting change, service development and commissioning, and influencing change in the care arena.
• Care of Special Circumstance and Vulnerable Groups: Enhances knowledge and understanding of unscheduled care in special circumstances and with vulnerable groups.
Focuses on holistic assessment, management plans, and different approaches and considerations relevant to paramedic practice. Explores the boundaries of the paramedic role and referral to other health and social care professionals.
• Clinical ECGs in Paramedic Practice: Develops knowledge of cardiac electrophysiology and skills in ECG interpretation and diagnosis.
Challenges students to apply ECG principles to various clinical presentations from paramedic practice and implement necessary clinical management through scenario-based activities.

Assessment:

• Methods: Assessment is a combination of coursework, practice/competency-based learning, and examinations.
This includes case studies, presentations, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and practical scenarios.
• Criteria: The nature of assessment varies by module and mirrors the modes of communication expected of graduates in this field, including report writing, critique, case presentation, and oral presentation of clinical findings.
Assessment is based on work-based situations through case studies to facilitate reflection and testing skills of critical analysis.

Teaching:

• Methods: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, practical sessions, and simulated scenarios.
• Faculty: Students are taught by an experienced team of paramedic lecturers and practitioners who are all currently working in practice.
• Unique Approaches: The program emphasizes experiential learning through practice placements and simulation-based training.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates are prepared for a wide range of careers in healthcare, including:
• NHS ambulance trusts:
Ambulance crew, solo responder roles, specialist paramedic and advanced paramedic roles, operational and clinical management and leadership roles.
• Emergency Operations Centre roles: Telephone triage systems, including NHS 111.
• NHS acute trusts: Roles within emergency departments.
• NHS primary and secondary care roles: Urgent care centers, mental health, community settings, and GP surgeries.
• NHS services: NHS England, Health Education England, NHS Digital, and local authority.
• Higher education and research roles.

• Military.

• Private and independent sector.

Other:

• Professional Links and Accreditations: The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and endorsed by the College of Paramedics.
• Student Hub:
Provides advice on extenuating circumstances, extension requests, course progression, suspension, and welfare support.
• Academic Skills Development Team: Supports students in developing academic skills and building confidence to improve grades.
• Learning Technology Support Unit: Assists students with the University's Brightspace Learning System and PebblePad platform.
• Facilities: The University provides advanced life support simulation facilities, trauma assessment scenarios, and extrication simulation using a carry chair.

In 2024/25 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £6,900 (Band 1). Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).