Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)

Health and ability/disability

We welcome applications from those with disabilities in line with the Equality Act (2010). It should be noted however, that paramedics need physical strength and stamina, to lift and transport patients unable to walk on their own. Applicants will need to be able to lift and carry at least 100lbs (45.4 Kg), and to push and pull objects that weigh more than 50lbs (22.7 kg). Paramedics must also have the stamina and endurance to repeatedly bend, lift and kneel in uncomfortable positions throughout their work shifts and to work 12-hour shifts.

Paramedics also need strong motor skills to be able to perform the precise work the role involves. For example, steady hands are needed to give patients intravenous medications or providing wound care. When monitoring patients’ vital signs, paramedics use equipment with small, precise controls. Good coordination is also needed, to climb stairs, retrieve equipment and carry patients. The ability to move around and perform tasks in small areas, such as an ambulance or treatment room, is also important. Finally, because paramedics communicate with patients and other health care professionals, they must be able to speak clearly, precisely and succinctly. Reasonable adjustments in academic and practice will be implemented wherever possible in partnership with West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) but, these physical requirements should be considered by potential applicants as they are requirements for employment as a paramedic.

Potential applicants should also note that there are certain physical and mental health conditions that may prevent you from gaining employment as a paramedic, for example, epilepsy/seizures. This is because typically, paramedics will be required to undertake emergency or ‘blue light’ driving which requires them to meet higher medical standards for driving beyond this of the medical standards for non-emergency driving. For example, if an individual with epilepsy/seizures has an ‘untoward episode’, it is likely that your B class driving licence will be revoked for 12 months and the C1 element (required to drive an ambulance) may be revoked for up to 5 years. This makes it very difficult to gain employment in most NHS Ambulance Services. This does not prevent you from applying for the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science course, nor successfully completing it. Paramedics now work in a range of health care environments and as such, it is possible to gain employment in a non-driving paramedic role. There is no requirement to drive to be an HCPC registered paramedic. For further advice on medical conditions and driving please see the Assessing fitness to drive: a guide for medical professionals.

We work in partnership with the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (WMAS), and other local NHS and Health and Care Trusts with regards to practice placements. Students on placements will be required to attend urgent and emergency calls with their mentor or supervisor during shifts. As such, student paramedics will potentially attend incidents that may be upsetting. The health and wellbeing of our students is paramount at all times and students are taught about resilience and self-care and are supported by course staff throughout the 3-year BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science degree. Support is also available via University of Worcester Student Support Services and by WMAS. We welcome applications from people who have experienced mental health issues but ask that applicants consider the necessity for robust mental health prior to applying. Applicants will be faced with many unprecedented situations which require the resilience and the ability to cope under pressure.

Applicants are required to disclose any severe and enduring physical and mental health conditions on a self-declaration form (which also asks you to declare any potential DBS issues).

Potential applicants who are concerned about a health issue are strongly advised to seek advice from their GP or consultant and /or contact the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science Admissions Tutor prior to applying.

Work experience

Applicants should ideally have some experience of working in a health or social care setting. This might include working for the NHS, private health and social care, voluntary aid societies such as St John Ambulance, British Red Cross etc, or care/nursing homes for example (on a paid or voluntary basis). This will evidence that applicants have developed some knowledge, understanding and experience of health and social care, and the vital communication skills needed to work with people across the life course. Applicants with extended experience of working in a customer facing, service environment will also be considered.

Additionally, knowledge of the profession should be gained through attending University open days or careers events, talking to qualified Paramedics, reading professional publications or researching online. The following websites may provide a helpful starting point; the College of Paramedics and Health and Care Professions Council, and Step into the NHS and NHS Careers.

Driving licence

As it is not a requirement to be able to drive to practice as a paramedic, holding a full driving licence is not a requirement for this course. A full driving licence with C1 is required for working as paramedic on the front line however, so applicants should note that they may be unable to secure employment as a paramedic where driving is required as part of that role.

Applicants should also note, that being able and willing to travel to the University of Worcester and to practice placements is a requirement. Practice placements are typically 12-hour shifts and this means you will need to be able to get to your practice placement at times when public transport may not be an option. We strongly recommend then, that you have a full driving licence and access to a car. We also strongly recommend that you gain the C1 provisional entitlement to your driving licence during the course to enhance your employability prospects.

Membership of professional body

The University of Worcester strongly recommend that all students join the College of Paramedics (COP). Joining this professional body will enable you to access a wide range of academic material that will enhance your learning.

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of staff taught lectures and seminars (in person on campus and online), clinical simulation, independent study by students and practice placements. Lectures and seminars will cover the theory aspects of the programme and develop your understanding of the programmes content. Time spent in the clinical simulation environment will help you to apply theoretical learning in clinical scenarios and patient experience and practice will enable you to apply your theoretical and simulation learning.

You will be offered regular group and /or individual meetings with Personal Academic Tutors (PATs) to monitor and support your learning.

Contact time

University based weeks are alternated with placement weeks throughout the year, with the university teaching delivered by a combination of face-to-face lectures, seminars and workshops, online learning and practical sessions. So, while there are similarities between weeks, the exact mix of learning opportunities varies according to the subject material and module.

The university and practice placement weeks are based on 37.5-hour per week. During a typical theory week students will have around 8-16 hours of contact time constructed around a combination of, up to 6-8 hours of campus-based teaching, up to 4-6 hours synchronous online delivery and up to 4 hours of campus-based simulation teaching. The specific blend of campus based, and online teaching will vary across the modules.

During placement weeks students will undertake between 20 and 30 hours of practice learning, typically 2-3 12-hour shifts per week. Students will achieve 240 hours or 20 shifts over the semester.

Students are provided with detailed semester planners which provides students with a day by day, week by week, breakdown of their placements and university contact time for that semester.

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, students are expected to undertake around 17 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve completing online activities, reading journal articles and books, undertaking research for various assessments, preparing for examinations, and undertaking additional clinical simulation outside of the taught day.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources. 

Teaching staff

You will be taught by experienced and award-winning academics, HCPC registered paramedics and other professionals with specialist knowledge and skills. (See ‘Meet the Team’ or staff profiles). We also have a diverse range of guest speakers including people from our IMPACT service user and carer group, and we work closely with our practice partners - West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (WMAS) and local NHS and Health and Care Trusts. to ensure an excellent practice experience for students.

Assessment

The curriculum has been developed with the intention of supporting progress across the range of cognitive, academic, practical, and transferable skills across the course. The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments in all modules. Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessment which is graded, with the exception of the practice placement modules, and counts towards the overall module grade. Practice placement modules are assessed on a pass/fail basis and are therefore ungraded. 

Typically, the formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is:

Year 1

• 2 examinations
• 1 portfolio of evidence containing a patchwork series of interlinked questions and problems
• 1 presentation
• 2 written reflections
• 1 portfolio of evidence containing multiple-choice question (MCQ) tests, reflections on skills, and simulation recordings
• 1 practice assessment document

Year 2

• 2 examinations
• 1 poster presentation
• 1 research proposal
• 1 portfolio of evidence containing:
  • MCQ tests
  • Practical resuscitation attempt
  • Trauma patient assessment with personal reflection
  • Paramedicine technical skills videos with rationale
• 2 practice assessment documents

Year 3

• 2 essays
• 1 dissertation
• 1 written reflection
• 1 verbal presentation
• 2 practice assessment documents

Feedback

You will receive formal feedback on theoretical work from course staff and from mentors in relation to practice. Feedback supports learning and you are encouraged to discuss feedback given, with module tutors and mentors as appropriate, and with Personal Academic Tutors (PATs).

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work within 20 working days of the submission date.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.