Paramedic Practice 2012
"Many of my hospital colleagues studied at Surrey and really recommended this University."
Tom Cox
Working as a paramedic, no two days are the same. You will operate in different locations and need to think on your feet to deal with the diverse challenges that you will face. The transferable skills you will develop will also open the door to a wide variety of future career opportunities both inside and outside the caring professions.
The programme aims to develop articulate and confident paramedic practitioners who are able to make professional judgements and deliver best practice to clients. The programme will ensure that you are prepared to practise safely and effectively, meeting the competencies required by relevant professional bodies.
Paramedic Practice is an exciting and challenging programme 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, the University of Surrey and the South East Coast Ambulance Trust.
UK and EU students studying on an NHS-related programmes such as this have the added benefit of not paying tuition fees of £9000 per year. These programmes are subject to separate funding arrangements, administered through the Department of Health.
Factfile
| Minimum Entry Requirements | A level grades AAB All applicants should also adhere to the University's General Entrance Requirements. |
|---|---|
| Required Subjects | A relevant science A-level is required (preferably Human Biology). GCSE Mathematics and a science at grade C or above (or equivalent) are required. |
| English Language Requirements | An IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent for non-native-English-speaking applicants is normally required. Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre. |
| Other Entry Requirements | Admission to this programme is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) Section 4 (2) (Exemptions) Order 1975 and DHSS Circular HC (88)9 guidelines regarding police checks and child protection. Offers are conditional upon satisfactory health and fitness for practice screening, references and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance or equivalent. Candidates must also meet national requirements to work with vulnerable adults and children. Admission is also subject to NHS eligibility for the programme. For further information on eligibility, applicants should contact the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Proof of eligibility is normally required prior to interview. Candidates should have the ability to follow a shift pattern covering 24 hours a day and seven days a week, and be able to meet early morning and late night travel requirements. The Department of Health requires all Paramedic Practice students to be tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C during induction week. Those testing positive would not be cleared for entry to the programme. Candidates will also need a satisfactory level of fitness to pass the South East Coast Ambulance Trust fitness test. |
| Other Suitable Qualifications | A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. We do not include General Studies in our offers. |
| Selection Process | All candidates will be assessed by the South East Coast Ambulance Trust for their fitness to undertake the programme through a fitness test. Following successful assessment, which will include a literacy and numeracy test, candidates will then have a formal interview conducted jointly by the South East Coast Ambulance Trust and by University staff. Successful completion of these tests is required as a condition of entry. |
| Professional Recognition | Successful completion of the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Practice programme will enable you to be eligible to apply for professional registration with the Health Professions Council. |
Degrees
Degree Programme
BSc (Hons) Degree
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Paramedic Practice | B780 | 3 years |
Degrees
Degree Programme
BSc (Hons) Degree
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Paramedic Practice | B780 | 3 years |
Our Degree
The Paramedic Practice degree programme leads to professional registration with the Health Professions Council. The degree is divided equally between academic study and practical experience in a range of practice areas.
This programme also has an extended project within the final year, further developing research, negotiation management and communication skills.
Our degrees are taught by experienced academics from a variety of disciplines. To ensure seamless links between theory and practice, all staff work closely with colleagues in the Ambulance and other NHS Trusts.
Each student has a personal tutor to support them through the programme and all staff are committed to ensuring that you have the best possible experience, enabling you to emerge as a confident, competent practitioner.
Programme dates and holidays
The programme will run over 40 weeks each year.
Programme
Programme Overview
The programme runs over three years, comprising 50 per cent theory and 50 per cent practice, with a strong focus on clinical skills.
Level 1 will set the foundation in basic physical and behavioural sciences. It will also consist of a practice-based module which will be assessed through a portfolio of practice assessment.
In Level 2 and Level 3 you will be taught the principles of assessment, care delivery, evidence and research, and management of self and others. You will have the opportunity to apply theory to practice within various practice settings.
Within Level 3 you will have the opportunity to complete a four-week ‘elective experience’. This experience will provide you with an opportunity to explore an aspect of care which is of particular interest. It will enable you to develop your research skills and an understanding of the scientific basis of paramedic practice.
In order to proceed on the programme, during Level 1 you will be encouraged to take a C1 driving test which you will be expected to fund yourself.
In the University setting, teaching methods include:
- Practical classes and the presentation of clinical skills scenarios
- Lectures and tutorials
- Student- and staff-led seminars
- Study packs, reading lists, guided and annotated reading
- Computer-aided learning and web-based teaching
- Discussion groups
- Enquiry-based learning
Within the practice environment, teaching methods include shadowing, role modelling, demonstration, observation, practice under supervision, reflective dialogue and discussion groups.
Professional Training
Time spent in the safe environment of our simulation suite will prepare you for professional training. You will only go out to practice areas when you have satisfactorily completed instruction in fundamental clinical skills.
As you progress through the programme and your skills and confidence develop, you will be encouraged to perform increasingly complex activities in practice until you are considered by your mentors and teachers to be competent for registration at the end of Level 3.
View our Paramedic Practice Locality Brochure for further information about your practice experience.
Paramedic Practice Locality Brochure (7021.11KB - Requires Adobe Reader)Why Surrey?
Key reasons to study Paramedic Practice 2012 at Surrey
- We are a leading UK academic centre for the education of health professionals
- Our state-of-the-art academic building is one of the country's best equipped educational centres, simulating home and acute hospital environments
- We have a high-quality simulation suite to develop your practice skills
- Strong scientific and clinical foundations prepare you to practise with confidence
- We offer high-quality practice placements with the South East Coast Ambulance Trust and at local NHS Trusts
- Extensive opportunities exist for continuing professional development
- A mixture of continuous assessment and examinations is used for both theoretical and practical experience
Careers
Top for Jobs
Career Opportunities
Exciting changes are taking place in today’s NHS. Health care 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 also combine a number of roles and remain directly involved in client care as your career progresses.
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Assessment
We will use a variety of methods to assess you at various points in the programme. As well as written work, there are student presentations, examinations and case study work. In practice you are required to build a portfolio of your experiences, demonstrating how you have met your learning agreement and the particular learning outcomes for the module.
You are also required to show an understanding of, and development towards, the professional behaviour expected of a registered paramedic.
Helping You Succeed
This programme is academically demanding and includes practice placements which present new and sometimes unsettling experiences. We will provide you with strong personal and academic support to help you to succeed.
You will be allocated a personal tutor to oversee your progress and they will be available for one-to-one appointments. You will also be a member of a personal tutor group brought together for discussions, information sharing and advice.
Our placement areas have link tutors who will be able to advise you about their particular practice areas. Once in your placement you will work under the supervision of a mentor and a team of co-mentors. They assess your practice and developing skills, and advise you on the progress of your portfolio of experience and your professional development.
We have nationally recognised teachers and researchers, and all our teaching staff are committed to ensuring that you have the best possible experience, enabling you to emerge as a confident, competent professional.
NHS Partnerships
Your practice placements will be undertaken within the South East Coast Ambulance Trust and other health care settings across a wide geographical area, allowing you to gain a range of experiences.
Placements will feature practical supervised experience in, for example, ambulance stations and ambulance vehicles, operating theatres, intensive care units, accident and emergency departments, maternity, mental health and children’s units, and specialist ambulance services.
You will work alongside qualified health, social care and emergency care staff. Your placements will give you the opportunity to put your skills into practice early in the programme. You will have opportunities to participate in inter-professional learning in your practice settings, working alongside fully qualified paramedics and other clinicians.