Applied Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)

About the course

In the changing environment of urgent and emergency out of hospital care, which presents new challenges to paramedics, the BSc (Hons) Applied Paramedics Science course is designed to give you the advanced patient assessment, examination and management skills required by contemporary paramedic practice.

It gives you the attributes to deliver effective, high quality care in innovative ways, as well as enhanced knowledge to address contemporary and future developments in out of hospital care.

By choosing to study the BSc (Hons) Applied Paramedics Science degree you gain advanced clinical knowledge and develop characteristics that can be applied to your clinical practice and cascade appropriately to your colleagues.

Flexible study options

The course is for registered paramedics who are already out in practice and is delivered by part-time study, over three years, giving you the flexibility to step on and off where appropriate to your continuing professional development needs.

The modules you study are developed in a way that let you control your academic studies, through an innovative blended learning approach. This combines e-learning activities with on-campus learning, to support academic and clinical development under the supervision of our specialist paramedic tutors.

Entry routes

Depending on your previous qualifications and work experience you can enter either the first or second year of the course.

Year One - If you are a paramedic with no previous relevant higher education qualifications you will enter the course at year one, studying for up to three years depending on the type of the award you want to graduate with.

Year Two - If you already have a foundation degree in paramedic science you can join the second year as a 'top-up' route towards a BSc/BSc (Hons) degree.

Award types

The course gives you the option to study for three different award types that will best suit your professional development needs. See below for the different types of awards available and indicated time to achieve them.

• Diploma in Applied Paramedic Science - minimum 9 months
• BSc in Applied Paramedic Science - approximately 21 months
• BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Paramedic Science - approximately 3 years

Our facilities

You will have access to our specialist facilities which include a fully equipped paramedic skills lab, dedicated patient assessment lab for paramedics and the Hertfordshire Intensive Care and Emergency Simulation Centre (HICESC), a teaching laboratory equipped with Intensive Care Unit for adult care, paediatric and neonatal care.

Download a printable version of the BSc(Hons) Applied Paramedics Science brochure

Why choose this course?

• The course is designed to develop advanced clinical patient assessment management skills used in contemporary paramedic practice
• It's suitable for paramedics who want to gain an advanced professional higher education qualification at diploma, or degree level
• It gives you the option to gain a Diploma in Applied Paramedic Science in a minimum of 9-months study (only 12 days on campus learning)
• On and off campus learning which fit around your work and reduce your time away from the workplace
• On campus learning focused on advanced clinical patient assessment, examination and clinical management development under the supervision of our School's paramedic science expert, specialist practitioners.
• Designed by paramedics experts for paramedic professionals

Study routes

• Part Time,
• Part Time, 3 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Reflecting the evolving face of paramedic practice in out of hospital care, when you graduate from the course you will have the necessary skills to address these challenges, responding reflexively to emergent drivers influencing your contemporary practice.

You can also continue your professional development and apply for the MSc Paramedic Science.You can choose to study for a stand alone CPD module or complete a Master's award

Teaching methods

You'll experience a wide variety of learning styles on this course. During your studies you'll develop your capacity for self-directed study and your interpersonal skills. We particularly emphasise the importance of structured research; well-prepared written and verbal presentations; and computer literacy.

Alongside elements of standard lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratories, you also learn through case studies, individual and group projects and other student centred activities. In your final year you will normally have the opportunity to practice your independent study skills by completing a Major project or dissertation.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Introduction to critical thinking

  This Level 5 module is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to identify, utilise and apply relevant literature and evidence to their clinical practice. This module also intends to support students in their prospective academic studies. To meet this need, this module focuses on the elements of reflective practice, clinical thinking, academic writing and literature searching. This module contributes to the development of knowledge and understanding in the following NHS KSF Core Dimensions: Communication: 1, 2, 3 & 4 Personal & People Development: 3 & 4 Health, Safety and Security: 3 Service Development: 4 Quality: 3 Equality and Diversity: 3.

• Pathophysiology and Patient Assessment

  This 30 credit level 5 module develops students' knowledge, skills and understanding of fundamental physiological / pathophysiological principles and processes as well as approaches to patient assessment and management appropriate to recognised key stages of the developmental life cycle focusing on appropriate models / frameworks of assessment used in the out-of-hospital environment. This module will facilitate the student in developing clinical reasoning skills, informed by available evidence, enabling them to undertake comprehensive individualised patient assessments appropriate to the out-of-hospital environment. This module contributes to the development of knowledge and understanding in the following NHS KSF Core Dimensions: Communication: 1, Personal & People Development: 4 Health, Safety and Security: 1 Service Development: 2 Quality: 3 Equality and Diversity: 3.

• Professional development in paramedic practice

  This Level 5 module is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to document their practice experience and identify areas of practice which they may wish to reflect upon, allowing students the opportunity to critically review their working practices. This module contributes to the development of knowledge and understanding in the following NHS KSF Core Dimensions: Communication: 1, 2, 3 & 4 Personal & People Development: 2, 3 & 4 Health, Safety and Security: 3 Service Development: 1, 2,3, & 4 Quality: 2 & 3 Equality and Diversity: 3.

Optional

Year 2

Core Modules

• Advanced Patient Assessment

  This 15 credit Level 6 module builds upon previous modules facilitating development of students' knowledge, skills and understanding of advanced patient assessment and management of patients' care in out-of-hospital emergency care settings. Focusing on current and appropriate models/frameworks for assessment used in out-of-hospital emergency care, this module will facilitate the student to advance their clinical reasoning skills, informed by available evidence, enabling them to undertake comprehensive, advanced level patient assessment informing their decision-making processes involved in management of patient care. Students will be encouraged to explore, reflect upon and share their clinical experiences to illustrate issues relevant to advanced patient assessment and management in out-of-hospital emergency care. This module contributes to the development of knowledge and understanding in the following NHS KSF Core Dimensions: Communication: 3 & 4 Personal & People Development: 4 Health, Safety and Security: 2 Service Development: 4 Quality: 4 Equality and Diversity: 2.

• Assessment of acute conditions

  This 15 credit Level 6 module builds upon previous modules and existing paramedic competences to facilitate the development of enhanced knowledge, skills and understanding of advanced patient assessment and management of acute medical conditions in out-of-hospital emergency care settings. Focusing on current and appropriate models/frameworks for assessment used in out-of-hospital emergency care, this module will enable the student to advance their clinical reasoning skills through the acquisition of relevant underpinning knowledge relating to acute medical conditions and critical analysis of the evidence base for clinical practice. Students will be encouraged to explore, reflect upon and share their clinical experiences to illustrate issues relevant to assessment and management of acute medical conditions in out-of-hospital emergency care. This module contributes to the development of knowledge and understanding in the following NHS KSF Core Dimensions: Communication: 3 Personal & People Development: 3 Health, Safety and Security: 4 Service Development: 4 Quality: 3 Equality and Diversity: 2

• Assessment of chronic conditions

  Patients with chronic medical conditions constitute a significant part of the workload for a paramedic working in a frontline ambulance service. This Level 6 module is designed to give participants an opportunity to expand on their pre existing knowledge and experience of patients with chronic medical conditions. It will encourage students to develop an evidence based approach to the knowledge and skills required to identify, triage, treat and /or refer patients suffering with this type of condition. This module contributes to the development of knowledge and understanding in the following NHS KSF Core Dimensions: Communication: 1,2,3 & 4. Personal & People Development: 1,2 & 4. Health, Safety and Security: 2&3. Service Development: 1. Quality: 1&2. Equality and Diversity: 1,2,3&4.

• Leadership and decision making in professional practice

  This module considers a range of topics which aim to enhance and further develop the practitioner's leadership competence within the field of ambulance service care. The content themes of: leadership; decision-making; change; team-working and accountability have been specifically chosen to reflect the essential components of competent leadership for clinicians and managers. The module delivery will draw from existing and emerging evidence based and theoretical literature in the key topic areas and relate it to the contemporary approaches to leadership and safe decision making which are being developed within the NHS. This module contributes to the development of knowledge and understanding in the following NHS KSF Core Dimensions: Communication: 1, 2, 3 & 4 Personal & People Development: 1, 2, 3 & 4 Health, Safety and Security: 1, 2 & 3 Service Development: 1, 2 & 3 Quality: 1, 2 & 3 Equality and Diversity: 1, 2, 3 & 4 ________________________________________

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £3,700 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply