Course overview
This course recognises that while you may have extensive experience as a paramedic, you may also need and want academic recognition to enhance your practice and position yourself for emerging roles. It builds on your existing knowledge to enhance practice and prepare you for the future by exploring theoretical and practical elements of the profession.
Supporting information for applicants
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Course details
The course is delivered entirely online though our online learning environment TU Online. It will provide a supportive environment that fosters self-initiated enquiry and reflection on the subjects underpinning paramedic practice. You consolidate your ability to synthesise and apply knowledge and skills to the often complex and unpredictable setting of paramedic practice. In particular it develops your understanding of both physical and mental health issues that affect patients, the public and professionals.
In Year 1 you look at the principles that underpin sound decision making, strengthening and possibly extending your understanding of current legislation, clinical guidance and the ethical considerations that impact on how you provide care. This is supported by a close examination of the knowledge and skills required to appraise the evidence that underpins your practice. You also explore the delivery of emergency and unscheduled care to patients with mental health problems and how this impacts on your professional practice and your ability to manage those patients in the out of hospital care environment.
In Year 2 you complete your dissertation by examining an appropriate topic in detailed exploration, considering your own and the wider impact on paramedic practice.
You also focus on physical assessment skills and develop your knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology as applied to the diagnostic process. Each system is addressed individually, and you will develop clinical history taking and examination skills which complement each system examination.
Course structure
Stage 1 core modules
Context of Evidence-based Paramedic Practice
You enhance your understanding of research material and how to read it critically. These skills contribute to your ability to analyse and evaluate literature related to paramedic practice which is a requirement of summative assessment throughout the programme. This module prepares you for you final year dissertation.
Mental Health Emergency and Unscheduled Care Practice
You enhance your understanding of the theories underpinning how you apply knowledge and skills in the practice environment. You also engage critically with important studies, guidance and government policy that directs paramedic practice. You develop your academic skills and it introduces you to e-learning@tees, VLE. You submit a formative piece of written work within the first few weeks to receive feedback on your academic writing.
Stage 2 core modules
Dissertation for Health Professionals
Undertake a research project that you designed. This is an independent project and you are supported by a designated project supervisor. Your dissertation is an opportunity to demonstrate how you have integrated all your learning of evidence-based practice, decision-making and complex problem-solving.
You focus on physical assessment skills and develop your knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology as applied to the diagnostic process. Each system is addressed individually and you will develop clinical history taking and examination skills which complement each system examination
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You learn using our TU Online platform and engage in a variety of online learning and teaching methods to help develop and consolidate your knowledge and skills.
The course recognises and builds on the experience of qualified paramedics. Approaches to subject delivery and support enable you to utilise your own experiences and apply them to subject material.
In Year 2 you will be allocated a project supervisor to support you with your final project.
As a rapidly developing profession, it is essential that you develop research skills to keep up to date with changes. Evidence-based practice and research skills are embedded in the course modules.
How you are assessed
There are a variety of assessments in this course and some of the modules give you a choice on how you would like to be assessed (such as a presentation or written essay in the mental health module and a choice of a systematic review or journal article and so on in the dissertation for health professionals module). A variety of assessment methods including presentations, written work and workbooks support a wide variety of learning styles and methods but all focus on ensuring you get the best out of your assessments.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
You must be a Health and Care Professions Council registered paramedic and be able to evidence successful study of 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5 in a related subject area or equivalent. This will usually be the completion of a relevant foundation degree or Diploma in Higher Education which would normally be considered using our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. We also welcome applicants who have initially qualified outside of the UK.
Normally, applicants should have either two GCSEs at grade C or above in English language and mathematics. Level 2 access units in communication and mathematics can be accepted in place of English language and mathematics GCSEs. For students who do not have English as their first language, IELTS 7.0 or above with no element below 6.5 (or equivalent).
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
Employability
Career opportunities
You develop knowledge and skills to underpin research and evidence-based practice. The course does not prepare you for specific, specialist or advanced roles but it does provide the opportunity to develop the academic skills often required for these. On completion you should feel confident about meeting the present and future challenges of paramedic practice and be in a position to apply for specialist paramedic roles within ambulance services and the wider health service.