Program Overview

Paramedic Studies

Course Fact File

• Code: n/a
• Duration: 3 Years
• Teaching Mode: Full-time
• Qualifications: BSc (Hons)
• NFQ Level: Level 8
• Fees: See Fees and Costs for full details.

Course Outline

The BSc (Hons) Paramedic Studies is a challenging and exciting programme delivered in collaboration with the National Ambulance Service (NAS). The programme provides access to world-class educational facilities, pre-hospital training sites, and clinical placements, all supported with expert tuition.

State-of-the-art simulation suites and a modern virtual learning environment give students an authentic learning experience delivered by excellent lecturers from a variety of academic and clinical backgrounds. The programme prepares students for a career as a Paramedic Practitioner equipped for lifelong learning throughout their professional career.

Students study modules in theory and clinical practice and participate in ambulance placements and clinical settings, such as the emergency department and coronary care unit. Practice-based education within the National Ambulance Service allows students to link and enhance the theory and practical knowledge and skills gained in teaching time.

Course Modules

Year 1

• MD1004: Foundations in Paramedic Practice 1 (20 credits)
• MD1005: Foundations in Paramedic Practice 2 (15 credits)
• MD1006: Foundations in Paramedic Practice 3 (15 credits)
• MD1007: Foundations in Paramedic Practice 4 (10 credits)
• MD1008: Consolidated Learning in Practice 1 (15 credits)
• MD1009: Paramedico-Legal Studies (5 credits)

Year 2

• MD2001: Consolidated Learning in Practice 2 (20 credits)
• MD2002: Consolidated Learning in Practice 3 (30 credits)
• MD2003: Academic Writing, Information Technology, and Evidence (5 credits)
• MD2004: Health Protection I (5 credits)
• MD2005: Principles of Human Structure for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
• MD2006: Topographical Anatomy for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
• MD2007: Paramedico-Legal Studies (10 credits)

Year 3

• MD3001: Application of Evidence-Based Practice for Paramedics (10 credits)
• MD3002: Professional Development for Paramedics (5 credits)
• MD3003: Human Physiology for Practitioner Paramedics (10 credits)
• MD3004: Personal Development for Paramedics (5 credits)
• MD3005: Pharmacology for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
• MD3006: Understanding Clinical Practice (10 credits)
• MD3007: Health Protection II (5 credits)
• MD3008: Paramedic Research in Action (30 credits)

Course Practicalities

Entry to this programme is restricted to National Ambulance Service employees recruited and sponsored by the National Ambulance Service College as Student Paramedics. A temporary specific purpose employment contract is issued to students.

The programme comprises lectures, seminars, workshops, clinical skills training, experiential learning sessions, field visits, and protected study time scheduled throughout a thirty-nine-hour week. Modules are taken at the National Ambulance Service College and University College Cork (UCC) throughout each year of the course.

The theory and paramedic skills education in Year 1 is delivered face-to-face in one of the National Ambulance Service Colleges located in Tallaght and Ballinasloe. In Years 2 and 3, modules are predominately delivered online with face-to-face delivery taking place on campus at UCC. Clinical practice modules require students to be in supervised clinical practice in ambulance settings, hospitals, communities, and other healthcare settings for thirty-nine hours per week for scheduled weeks each year. Clinical placements take place throughout the country at designated sites.

Why Choose This Course

Paramedic training at UCC is a highly sought-after course, as evidenced by the consistently high number of applications made to the Health Service Executive’s National Recruitment Service. The programme offers a wide variety of clinical placements across the nationwide ambulance system, including select university hospitals and community facilities, representing all of the major medical specialties.

The HSE National Ambulance Service has recently been recognised by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) as an Accredited Centre of Excellence (ACE) for emergency dispatching. Accreditation from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centres, certifying that the HSE Ambulance Service is performing at or above the established standards for the health sector.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

The Paramedic Studies programme places students in major hospitals and ambulance bases throughout the State, enabling students to consolidate their learning and gain clinical exposure throughout the programme.

Skills and Careers Information

The course aims to provide students with sound paramedic skills (and the supporting knowledge base) necessary for starting their professional career as a Paramedic. These skills will be further developed through clinical experience. Students will also develop skills in independent thinking, problem-solving, and analytical and clinical decision-making, as well as fundamental research utilisation and application skills. As this programme includes a significant piece of scholarly research, it allows students the option to continue exploring the discipline in an academic context. The combination of academic rigour and reflection on current practice also provides students with various options in their future career development, including postgraduate education.

Requirements

NAS Specific Entry Requirements

The HSE National Recruitment Service manages the selection process for Student Paramedics. Advertisements for Student Paramedics are posted at:

• www.hse.ie/jobs
• www.publicjobs.ie (you are advised to register your interest with this site)

General Entry Requirements

• General good health
• Eligible to apply for a C1 Licence. For further information on driving licences and applications, see the National Driver Licence Service (www.ndls.ie)

The selection process involves aptitude tests, a driving assessment, and an interview process. If successful, applicants are placed on a panel from which they are called to the National Ambulance Service College for training.

Call for Training

Offers of places on paramedic programmes are made by The National Recruitment Service (NRS) subject to:

• Garda clearance
• Occupational Medical Assessment
• Reference checks

Academic Requirements

• Minimum grade O6/H7 in at least six subjects in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent, which must include Mathematics and a Laboratory Science (Laboratory Science subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, Physics with Chemistry).
• For those presenting with pre-2017 Leaving Certificates, a minimum grade of OD3 in at least 5 subjects.
• A Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) EMT Certificate is acceptable in lieu of a Science subject, where the applicant already possesses six subjects.
• Level 5 (or above) QQI FE qualification or equivalent may be acceptable in lieu of a Leaving Certificate.
• Candidates who do not have a Leaving Certificate or Level 5 QQI FE qualification, but are over 21 years of age and have a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience, may be deemed suitable, subject to the approval of the University College Cork Course Director and Admissions Office.
• Leaving Certificate Applied or Leaving Certificate Vocation Programme will not be accepted.
• Subjects taken at Foundation Level or LCVP Link Modules will not be accepted.
• Candidates who completed secondary school education in other jurisdictions must have a recognised school leaving qualification. Please note that vocational qualifications are not accepted.
• Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement indicating on their application form their reasons for wishing to enter this programme.
• Candidates whose first language is not English must have a minimum IELTS of 6.5 with scores in no individual sections less than 6.5, or equivalent.

Fees and Costs

The National Ambulance Service discharges employee's student fees; there is no additional financial burden to students.

How To Apply

The HSE human resources department, on behalf of the National Ambulance Service, retains sole responsibility for the marketing and recruitment of candidates for this programme.

The National Ambulance Service recruitment campaigns can be found under Patient and Client Care on hse.ie/jobs. Search for 'Student Paramedic' under the Patient and Client Care careers tab.