Emergency Medical Science - Advanced Paramedics

GradDip Emergency Medical Science
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 80)

Vision and Values Statement
DipEMS and GradDipEMS programmes are aimed at staff members of the statutory ambulance services who are nominated by those services to become registered Paramedics or Advanced Paramedics. Graduates will deliver high quality patient care across a range of settings, will work professionally and effectively within their own organisations and with other healthcare professionals and will pursue life-long learning to ensure their continuing competence and broader contribution to their profession. Professionalism, integrity and a commitment to patient welfare are fundamental values for students and graduates. Implementing these values requires team-work, leadership, reflective practice, continuing professional development, self care and support for colleagues.

A reflective, professional and caring practitioner develops from a learning environment in which such values are prized and demonstrated; that environment will be established, in conjunction with our educational partners, the HSE National Ambulance Service College. Classroom, clinical placement and operational settings will provide learning environments in which students are challenged to identify, examine and address their own learning needs. Adult learners undertaking third level programmes bring a wealth of experience, motivation and expertise which informs these programmes. Our curriculum and T&L strategy builds on these strengths, is directed towards the practitioner scope of practice determined by PHECC and combines educational underpinnings with training competencies. Assessment strategies focus on ensuring safe, competent practice by graduates.

Programme Outcomes
Demonstrate a working understanding of the specific bodies of knowledge required to enable safe, competent practice as a registered Advanced Paramedic.

Demonstrate an understanding of the specific bodies of knowledge required to identify and assess non-emergency issues.

Demonstrate competence in the skills required to assess and manage complex medical, surgical, trauma and psychosocial emergencies.
Effectively incorporate evolving scientific, clinical and organisational changes as specific by PHECC's scope of practice into clinical practice.

Graduates of the GradDipEMS programme will build on all of the DipEMS programme outcomes.

Identify and appraise relevant elements of the evolving evidence base in EMS.

Understand the components of mentorship and leadership required to make effective future contributions to development of the profession.

Stage 1 - Core
Professional Practice (Legal Medicine, Health & Safety and Major Incident) (AP)MDCS40840
Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Special Circumstances (AP)MDCS40910
Clinical and Intervention SkillsMDCS40920
Clinical Placement (AP)MDCS40930
Health & Safety in Advanced Practice (AP)MDCS41090
Mentorship (AP)MDCS41120
Critical Appraisal & Introduction to Research Skills (AP)MDCS41130
Therapeutics (AP)MDCS41140
Pharmacology&Therapeutics (AP)MDCS41590
Acute and Chronic Illness (AP)MDCS41600
Trauma (AP)MDCS41610
Anatomy and Physiology (AP)MDCS41620

Admission Criteria

Overview
Nominations are submitted to UCD through the Health Service Executive ( HSE) and Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB). Prospective nominees should contact their local service regarding the internal application process. The following are the minimum entry requirements for all nominees.

Possess the UCD Diploma in Emergency Medical Technology or a third level equivalent.

Possess a minimum of two years post qualification experience at DipEMT/DipEMS level

Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) within the field of Emergency Medical Science.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Assessment includes both continuous and end of course assessments in all blocks.

Block 1: Continuous assessment and combined multiple choice question/short answer question paper

Block 2: Clinical case reviews, combined multiple choice question / short answer question papers and objective structured clinical examination

Block 3: Continuous assessment and panel Assessment

1 year full-time.

The course also serves as a foundation for further studies in the field at UCD:

MSc EMS (Advanced Paramedic)
MSc EMS (Immediate Care)