Lecturer (Paramedic)

Paramedic Science (Pre-Registration) - UH-000634

The University of Huddersfield seeks and encourages applicants in order to widen participation, improve access and apply the principles of equal opportunities.  We provide support for applicants who require additional assistance in order to select the right course of study and make a successful transition to studying at University. We encourage local, national and international applications.  Further information for <a href="http://www.hud.ac.uk/international">International Students can be found on their website</a>. 
If you were educated outside the UK, you are required to have International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at a score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 6.0  in any single component. If you have alternative qualifications or do not meet the IELTS requirement we also offer a range of <a href="http://www.hud.ac.uk/international/pre-sessionalenglishprogramme/">Pre-Sessional English Programmes.</a>
The University provides opportunities for the accreditation of prior learning (APL) as stated at the following link <a href="https://www.hud.ac.uk/policies/registry/awards-taught/section-c/">Section 3 of the Regulations for Awards.</a>
Further information related to the School APL process can be found on the School pages. <a href="https://www.hud.ac.uk/undergraduate/how-to-apply/apl/">https://www.hud.ac.uk/undergraduate/how-to-apply/apl/</a>
The University’s general minimum entry requirements are specified in the ‘Regulations for Awards which can be found on the Registry website as follows: <a href="https://www.hud.ac.uk/policies/registry/awards-taught/section-1/">Regulations for Awards</a>.
Every person who applies for this course and meets the minimum entry requirement will be given the same opportunity in the selection process. The cohort sizes will be approximately 20 students. In addition to completing an application form, all applicants will be interviewed to ensure that the course is suitable for that student. General advice and information regarding disability and the support the University can give can be found by contacting student services as follows:
Telephone: 01484 472675
Email: disability@hud.ac.uk
Further information is available at their website at: <a href="https://students.hud.ac.uk/help/disability/">Disability support - University of Huddersfield</a>
In addition, this course leads to professional recognition with the HCPC, further advice on the specific skills and abilities needed to successfully undertake this course can be found by visiting the profession’s website at <a href="https://www.hcpc-uk.org/resources/standards/standards-of-proficiency-paramedics/">Standards of proficiency - Paramedics | (hcpc-uk.org)</a> and by contacting the admissions tutor.
Entry Criteria
The specific entry criteria for this course are detailed below.
Candidates require:
<ul>
<li>A first degree (or equivalent) in a relevant human or health related subject *</li>
<li>Relevant Prior experience in health environment</li>
<li>Potential to study at master’s level</li>
<li>Evidence of recent study (within 5 years)</li>
<li>The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or Grade C GCSE (or equivalent) mathematics</li>
</ul>
*Examples of relevant degrees include; BSc Nursing, BSc Midwifery, BSc ODP, BSc Physiotherapy, BSc Biomedical Science. This is not an exhaustive list and each application will be viewed by the admission tutor to decide on eligibility.
Note: The student will not drive whilst on placement. A clean full driving licence will normally be required in order to provide the broadest post-course employability. Although a driving licence is not stipulated as entry criteria, the candidate must be able to find means to attend placements.
The Shortlisting Process
Candidates are shortlisted following review of the entry criteria and the strength of their written applications.
The written application will need to show how they have used their previous experience to help them develop knowledge and understanding of the tasks, roles and responsibilities of a paramedic. Candidates will be selected on their preparedness for study at postgraduate level, their relevant experience and their understanding paramedic practice. 
The Selection Process
The selection process aims to provide both the applicant and the selection team with the details required to make an informed decision. Candidates will be required to attend an interview date due to the required elements of selection.
Conditional offers are subject to:
<ul>
<li>An Occupational Health screening for fitness to undertake practice.</li>
<li>An enhanced a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check</li>
<li>Demonstration that the level of English is of a sufficient standard (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)</li>
<li>Completion of an entry portfolio</li>
</ul>
As per HCPC (2014) ‘Standards of Proficiency’, students must be able to ‘understand and be able to apply appropriate moving and handling techniques’. Having a disability should not be seen as a barrier to becoming a health and care professional. As such the University will consider reasonable adjustments, in line with any disclosed application. Further guidance relating to becoming a health and care professional is found in the HCPC (2015) ‘Health, disability and becoming a health and care professional’ guidance.
Prior to enrolling on the course all students will be subject to an enhanced disclosure with the Disclosure and Barring Service. Candidates must state information about their current disciplinary record and criminal offences.
All offers made are subject to candidates declaring any health issues and criminal convictions, (including those normally regarded as spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974 (exceptions) Order 1975) and they must be willing for these to be discussed with placement agencies.
The completion of an Entry portfolio is a compulsory condition of offer onto the course. This portfolio comprises a collection of evidence which will support and demonstrate how prior learning and experience is relevant and related to the objectives stipulated in the portfolio.
The entry portfolio requires the candidate to:
<ul>
<li>Identify current areas of experience</li>
<li>Submit a structured reflection, with the use of a reflective model</li>
<li>Create a preparatory action plan</li>
</ul>

University awards are regulated by the ‘Regulations for Awards’ on the Registry website as follows: <a href="https://www.hud.ac.uk/policies/registry/awards-taught">Regulations for Awards</a>
Quick links to the <a href="https://www.hud.ac.uk/registry/current-students/taughtstudents/">Regulations for Taught Students, procedures and forms</a> can be accessed on the University website.
Assessment rules 
<ul>
<li>Identities of individuals and organisations should be anonymised and confidences respected. Consent should be obtained from individual patients/clients for use of any of their personal health information.</li>
<li>All modules must be passed at a minimum of 50% (in accordance with section 6.5.1 of the Regulations for Awards).</li>
<li>Compensation between elements of assessment is not permitted There is no condonement allowed on this course.</li>
<li>To qualify for the award, students must complete and pass all the course requirements.</li>
<li>Issues relating to poor professional conduct or poor performance on placement are considered in line with fitness to practice or fitness to study procedures.</li>
<li>Completion of all practice hours is expected prior to progression.</li>
</ul>
Note: practice hours are in excess of standard University requirements
Role of External Examiners
External examiners are approved through Course Committees before being appointed by School Boards and approved by University Learning and Teaching Committee.
The role of the examiner is to ensure academic and professional standards are maintained through:
<ul>
<li>Review a sample of coursework and examinations, including attendance at the final practical examination</li>
<li>Attendance at course assessment boards</li>
<li>Paramedic registered with the HCPC</li>
</ul>

UH-000634 - Paramedic Science (Pre-Registration)

Masters Optional

Masters Compulsory

Masters Core

Masters Level

Structure

Postgraduate Certificate

Postgraduate Diploma

Illustrate a critical understanding of the diversity of changing environments in which paramedics work and the underpinning knowledge of how to be flexible and adaptable to unfamiliar contexts. 

Justify and creatively apply an appropriate methodological paradigm in relation to an innovative service improvement and critically apply suitable methods of analysis to research data to reach justifiable conclusions. 

Demonstrate leadership and critically manage multiple casualty situations, employing triage strategies and major incident procedures as applicable to the circumstances and with reference to local and national policies and procedures.

Demonstrate application of contemporary concepts and innovative solutions in relation to enhanced and advanced practice in urgent, emergency, critical or other care settings.

Demonstrate safe and effective paramedic practice, consistent with professional and regulatory requirements.

Apply initiative, critical thought and problem-solving skills that can serve to enhance professional activities.

Plan, develop and evaluate methods of enquiry, analyse and interpret data and other relevant information to inform or facilitate clinical effectiveness.

Illustrate critically reflective qualities in the evaluation and analysis of own actions.

Critically analyse and respond to an individual’s health and social care needs. Integrate the appropriate care method, in order to meet the needs of the service-user and their family / significant others and carers.

Display maturity and experience of effective communication techniques to work in partnership with colleagues and peers within both the paramedic field and other disciplines.

Initiate appropriate treatment regimes, in accordance with current local and national policy and evidenced-based practice. Concurrently, review the effectiveness of ongoing treatment and interventions and adapt care accordingly.

Distinguish the care pathways available from comprehensive underpinning knowledge, recognising their worth and limitations.

Exercise high personal and professional behaviours and standards. 

Apply an autonomous, critical, analytical, and evaluative approach to continuous professional development and life-long learning.

Independently evaluate their own knowledge and understanding, adopting and critically synthesising current evidence and information to inform and influence paramedic practice.

Critically evaluate own practice through action-planning, case review, appraisal, critical reflection, peer review and implement change where appropriate to professionally develop.

Critically understand how to provide holistic care that is ethical, non-discriminatory and is tailored to meet the needs of a patient’s physical, emotional, cultural and social circumstances.

Critically appraise, evaluate and interpret research data from a range of different sources and be able to integrate appropriate evidence into practice and able to suggest new concepts to improve clinical effectiveness.

Critically synthesise knowledge and understanding of the wider ambulance service as part of decision-making processes.

Communicate clearly and effectively with all appropriate health care workers, service-users and family / significant others and carers to provide information about the treatment and potential outcomes and work in partnership, with colleagues, peers or other disciplines on complex matters, issues and ideas.

Autonomously draw on knowledge and understanding of current political, social and policy factors influencing their professional specialism.

Demonstrate a deep, systematic, and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts and principles of paramedic practice.

Comprehensively and methodically assess critically ill and/or injured patient’s needs across the life spectrum and initiate appropriate management and therapeutic processes within unscheduled care.

Identify the ability to show resilience in stressful situations and the ability to adapt and self-manage.

Critically explore the balance between risk and danger in order to develop safe decisions to distinguish the limits of their own scope of practice.

Independently obtain and document a systematic and meaningful set of clinical observations and relevant data to the patient’s condition and analyse this information, to inform a working impression and inform effective care delivery. 

The methods for the validation and annual evaluation of courses, including those validated by external bodies, and for the review of teaching and research and of academic support services are specified in the University’s Quality Assurance Procedures for Taught Courses which can be found on the Registry website as follows: https://hud.ac.uk/policies/registry/qa-procedures/
The School is committed to comprehensive student engagement and works actively with the University of Huddersfield Student Union to support this through the student representative system see further information at:
<a href="http://www.huddersfield.su/courserepwebsite">http://www.huddersfield.su/courserepwebsite</a>
Within the School students are represented at committee level from Student Panels to the School Board. The School also has a Student Council.  Individual feedback on the quality and standards of teaching and learning is received through module and course evaluations.
An effective external examination system is managed by Registry and all reports are viewed at University, School and course levels. External Examiner and student feedback, as well as all statistical data about the course, is reported through the course committee structure and scrutinised through the University wide annual evaluation process. Good practice and innovation are highlighted through the annual evaluation process.
Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies: the HCPC, as the statutory regulatory body, undertakes an annual monitoring process of the provision against its Standards of Education and Training and Standards of Proficiencies.  A visit to review or monitor standards on the course is undertaken when significant change to the provision has been implemented.

UH-000634

This programme specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the study module guide and course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
The outcome of the most recent institutional audit can be found at:
<a href="https://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviewing-higher-education/quality-assurance-reports/University-of-Huddersfield">University of Huddersfield (qaa.ac.uk)</a>  
College of Paramedic Endorsement 
This MSc Paramedic Science is endorsed by the College of Paramedics, which has developed an endorsement process for education providers that would provide benefit to the standing of their programme by the College advertising it as an ‘Endorsed’ programme. The endorsement process is over and above the minimum threshold standards required by the HCPC. The endorsement process is to the benefit of the next generation of paramedics, and contributes to improved outcomes for service-users, carers and significant others.
The endorsement process includes a full review of the course content, to confirm the curriculum is consistent with the College’s Paramedic Curriculum Guidance (2017). The curriculum is designed using the ‘spiral’ curriculum, as advocated by CoP.
Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies (PSRB)
The MSc Paramedic Science (pre-registration) course is approved by the regulatory body for the profession, the HCPC.

Support is provided by:
Personal Academic Tutor (PAT)
Students will be allocated a PAT, who will be their named point of contact throughout the course. This system aims to both improve the student experience of learning and teaching and increase student retention and achievement rates.
Specifically, PATs:
<ul>
<li>Provide a personal contact for the student within the University and the School.</li>
<li>Offer guidance, assistance and support in managing the students’ academic and placement experience.</li>
<li>Recognise when the problems presented are beyond the personal tutors’ competence and seek guidance and support for the student through the University and/or School referral processes.</li>
<li>Work with students to review and reflect upon their own progress and if necessary on ways to improve it.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Act as a liaison between the student and their named practice educator to monitor progress and identify any improvements that are required.</li>
</ul>
Further information can be found in the University PAT <a href="https://www.hud.ac.uk/media/policydocuments/Personal-Academic-Tutoring-Policy.pdf">Policy</a>.
Practice Educator
The role of PEd is the absolute key to the student paramedic having a successful placement experience. The PEd is responsible for teaching, learning and assessment of the work-based learning the student will be undertaking within this course. For the student, their memories of the beginning of their paramedic career will be heavily populated with their placement experiences, and their mentorship will help shape the type of paramedic that they will become.
Each student with have a named PEd and will be required to meet the following criteria:
<ul>
<li>HCPC registered paramedic</li>
<li>Undertaken PEd or Mentorship training</li>
<li>12 month’s post-registration experience</li>
<li>Willing and committed to provide a supportive learning environment</li>
</ul>
All ambulance placements until completion of the programme will be undertaken with a paramedic. However, whilst on ambulance service placements it is not feasible or realistic for the student to be with their PEd for every shift. This is because ambulance service placements will be across the ambulance service in a number of directorates. Furthermore, the PEd may be unavailable at times due to leave, illness or conflicting shift patterns.
Please note: on day issues might negate this rule. Under these circumstances, students may be assigned non-paramedic mentors who cannot complete any form of competency sign-off. This will usually be organised by local team leaders.
The named PEd is responsible for final sign-off within the PAD. An associate PEd from an ambulance or non-ambulance placement can sign the PAD to witness achieving a competency. Their name and designation should be clearly stated within the PAD appendices.
In the unlikely event that a named PEd is unable to continue supporting the student, another PEd will be allocated to take over the mentoring responsibilities. This will be organised in conjunction with the ambulance service placement lead.
Whilst on non-ambulance service placements, students will be assigned a suitably qualified associate PEd. The associate PEd will be able to contribute significantly to the students learning, and as such will contribute to formative development of their competence. It is acknowledged that skills demonstrated with an associate PEd are of value, yet the context may not always be the desired. Therefore, the responsibility should remain with the students named PEd.
Course Leader
The course leader is responsible for the entire quality assurance arrangements for the course.
Module Leader
The module leader is responsible for teaching, learning and assessment of the module within this course.