Paramedic Practice BSc(Hons)
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Overview
Paramedic Practice is an exciting and challenging degree course that offers you the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required to work as a paramedic. It has been jointly developed by the University of Brighton and the South East Coast Ambulance Trust.
The programme aims to develop articulate and confident paramedics who are able to make evidence-based professional judgements and deliver best practice to patients and their families. The programme will ensure you are prepared to practise safely and effectively, meeting the clinical competencies required by relevant professional bodies.
Course duration
Full-time: 3 years min, 6 years max
UCAS code B780
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Course content
Course structure
The course comprises 50 per cent theory and 50 per cent practice, with a strong focus on clinical skills development through twice-weekly placement with paramedics.
Areas of study
In your first year, weekly experience with ambulance crews is combined with study of the foundations of paramedic practice and an introduction to the physical, social and behavioural sciences. Essential clinical skills are taught prior to practice placement and across the year. Practice is assessed in placements across the year for each year of the programme.
In the second year, you will be taught the principles of assessment, care delivery, evidence and research and the education management of self and others. You will have the opportunity to apply theory to practice within various practice settings in addition to your placements with paramedics. The clinical skills taught are more involved and relate to trauma-care responses and more complex patient management
Within the third year you will further develop your clinical practice and begin to make the transition to becoming a registered paramedic. You will also have the opportunity to complete a four-week international elective. This experience will provide you with an opportunity to explore paramedic practice within another European country.
Across the span of the course assessments include written assignments, poster presentation, reflective practice, exams, research critique and the final year's dissertation.
Syllabus
Year 1
Introduction to Clinical Skills for Paramedics
Foundations of Paramedic Practice
Social and Behavioural Sciences
Paramedic Practice-Based LearningYear 2
Paramedic Care Delivery 1
Principles of Physical Assessment for Paramedics
Research Appreciation
Paramedic Care Delivery 2
Paramedic Practice-Based LearningYear 3
Skills for Specialist Paramedic Practice
Transitions to Registered Paramedic Practice
Dissertation
Paramedic Practice-Based Learning
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Entry requirements
Typical entry requirements
individual offers may varyUCAS tariff:
ABB. A science A-level is desirable.BTEC
DDD in a health-related subject.International Baccalaureate:
34 points.Access to HE Diploma
pass (at least 45 credits at level 3) in health studies, nursing or science, with 30 credits at distinction.Foundation degree/HND
acceptable.Other:
Interviews will be conducted jointly by the South East Coast Ambulance Trust and by university staff. A preliminary telephone interviewmay be used to aid shortlisting. Candidates will be tested for physical fitness prior to the interview day by staff from the South East Coast Ambulance Trust. A literacy and numeracy test must also be passed. -
Location
Location
Falmer -
Career opportunities
Exciting changes are taking place in today's NHS. Healthcare practitioners are learning new skills, working independently and taking on new responsibilities. Qualified paramedics are increasingly found at the heart of multidisciplinary teams. Career paths in the modern NHS Ambulance Trusts include specialist practice, teaching, management and research.
As a practitioner you can combine a number of roles and remain directly involved in client care as your career progresses.
The transferable skills you develop will open the door to a wide variety of future career opportunities both inside and outside the caring professions.
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Fees and costs
Tuition fees for this course are paid by the NHS and students receive a non-means-tested allowance from the Strategic Health Authority.
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More details
Excellent Facilities
The School of Nursery and midwifery has an excellent reputation for teaching clinical skills with a dedicated clinical skills facility where students can practice skills in a safe and supervised environment. Courses are taught on the Falmer campus, and placements take place with the South East Coast Ambulance Trust and in a variety of other healthcare settings around a range of locations across Sussex including Eastbourne, Hastings, Brighton, Haywards Heath and Worthing.
Other student support services include the university’s careers centre, welfare service, a counselling service, chaplaincy and childcare provision. Students can also join the Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Society (NAMPS): our student society.
Practice Learning
Practice placements are integral to your course and students may work in ambulance stations, ambulance vehicles, operating theatres, accident and emergency departments and specialist ambulance services.
Within the practice environment, teaching methods include shadowing, role modelling, demonstration, observation practice under supervision, reflective dialogue and discussion groups. This rich variety of settings gives you a comprehensive experience of Paramedic Practice.
Students who opt for the international experience can do so with one of our 27 partner colleges throughout Europe and the USA for a two to four week stay. For three month Erasmus exchanges, placements are in Denmark, Sweden and Spain with free access to some language preparation.
Centre for Health Research
The centre for Health Research (CHR) responds to a broad health agenda through research that spans the continuum from the study of factors maintaining and promoting health and wellbeing, to helping health professionals deal effectively with illness, disease and recovery trajectories.
The CHR prides itself on its European and international research links and these, together with its close association with NHS researchers through the co-located NIHR Research Design Service South East provide a vibrant environment for researchers and students who want to carry out research that results in positive changes to policy and practice.
As part of its commitment to research-led practice and a research-informed curriculum, staff from the centre regularly act as external speakers, advisors and experts to national and international bodies, as well as providing lectures and seminars internally. In addition, the centre's monthly seminar series provides opportunity for staff and students to debate and critique progressive research and methodological positions.
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Student views
Eloise Lindenberg, Paramedic Practice BSc(Hons), 3rd year
I find the opportunity to be there for and to help people from all walks of life, with all sorts of needs, to be both a privilege and tremendously fulfilling. The job makes me proud of who I am and what I do, as an individual and as a small part of the vast team responsible for a patient's care - and there's no beating that!
I love studying at Brighton too; the facilities, teaching and support being absolutely top class, and instrumental in getting my new career underway. The views from campus, looking out over the lovely South Downs, make coming in to class just that much nicer too!
Jenni Brewster, Paramedic Practice BSc(Hons)
If you are thinking about studying Paramedic Practice at Brighton my advice is do it!! The course team are amazing and the placements are second to none. I have grown so much as a person and as a clinician. Be prepared to work hard but also to have the best 3 years of your life.
Sam McCreesh, Paramedic Practice BSc(Hons)
The course is an excellent balance of theoretical and practical experience, enabling us to link theory to practice in order to become competent and confident practitioners.
The range of ambulance placements is well supported by specialist clinical placements in theatres, coronary care, mental health and midwifery, allowing us to learn from specialist areas of healthcare.
NHS funded course with bursary
01273 644042
namadmissions@brighton.ac.uk
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Our Paramedic Practice degree, developed in partnership with the South East Coast Ambulance Trust is an exciting and challenging course that offers you the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required to work as a paramedic in today’s NHS.
How to apply
Visit our pre-registration admissions page for detailed information on how to apply.
Visit the school or college site
Open Days
Our open days provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about our courses.