The BSc (Hons) Paramedic Studies is delivered full-time over three calendar years in partnership with the National Ambulance Service. It is a closed recruitment programme for NASC Student Paramedics.

The programme is delivered via blended learning and students are based at the National Ambulance Service Campus in Dublin or Ballinasloe for the first six months. The remainder of the programme is spent on ambulance/hospital placements throughout the country with some face-to-face delivery in UCC.

The BSc (Hons) (Paramedic Studies) does not confer eligibility to practice as a paramedic however graduates may apply for registration with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) at paramedic level.

Students take 80 credits as follows:

Part 1
MD1004 Foundations in Paramedic Practice 1 (20 credits)

Part 2
MD1005 Foundations in Paramedic Practice 2 (15 credits)
MD1006 Foundations in Paramedic Practice 3 (15 credits)
MD1007 Foundations in Paramedic Practice 4 (10 credits)

Part 3
MD1008 Consolidated Learning in Practice 1 (15 credits)
MD1009 Paramedico-Legal Studies (5 credits)

Students must pass each Part in order to progress to the next Part. Students who do not pass a Part will be ineligible to proceed further in the programme.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

Students take 80 credits as follows:

MD2001 Consolidated Learning in Practice 2 (20 credits)
MD2002 Consolidated Learning in Practice 3 (30 credits)
MD2003 Academic Writing, Information Technology and Evidence (5 credits)
MD2004 Health Protection I (5 credits)
MD2005 Principles of Human Structure for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
MD2006 Topographical Anatomy for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
MD2007 Research in Paramedic Practice I (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

Exit Award: Diploma in Paramedical Science
Upon successful completion of modules to the value of at least 120 credits (including MD1004 MD1005, MD1006, MD1007, MD1008, MD2001 and MD2002) students may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Diploma in Paramedical Science (NFQ Level 7, Major Award).

Students take 80 credits as follows:

MD3001 Application of Evidence-Based Practice for Paramedics (10 credits)
MD3002 Professional Development for Paramedics (5 credits)
MD3003 Human Physiology for Practitioner Paramedics (10 credits)
MD3004 Personal Development for Paramedics (5 credits)
MD3005 Pharmacology for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
MD3006 Understanding Clinical Practice (10 credits)
MD3007 Health Protection II (5 credits)
MD3008 Paramedic Research in Action (30 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Hons) (Paramedic Studies) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an awareness of paramedical science from a multidisciplinary perspective including: anatomy, epidemiology and public health, medico-legal, nursing, pharmacology and physiology;
• Define current regulations, guidelines and recommendations of their professional bodies (and employer), in relation to their professional practice;
• Identify the roles, responsibilities and support arrangements necessary to deliver prehospital emergency care;
• Demonstrate a range of theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and communication methods throughout professional practice in order to work with the diversity of needs in society, in a non-discriminatory way, across the multifarious cultural, ethnical and age spectrums;
• Describe and undertake comprehensive assessment and examination using a range of diagnostic skills and provide appropriate therapeutic interventions based on the clinical presentation;
• Demonstrate an awareness of contemporary issues in the field of paramedical practices and sciences; displaying understanding on the importance of continuous professional development and lifelong learning;
• Reflect on practice, through a critical thinking, problem solving and enquiry-based approach;
• Explore current literature and carry out a focused piece of scholarly research in the area of paramedic studies.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Diploma in Paramedical Science (NFQ Level 7, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Describe and undertake comprehensive assessment and examination using a range of diagnostic skills and provide appropriate therapeutic interventions based on the clinical presentation;
• Identify the roles, responsibilities and support arrangements necessary to deliver emergency care;
• Define current regulations, guidelines and recommendations of their professional bodies (and employer), in relation to their professional practice;
• Demonstrate an appreciation of health and social care issues within a multidisciplinary context;
• Demonstrate a range of theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and communication methods throughout professional practice in order to work with the diversity of needs in society, in a non-discriminatory way, across the multifarious cultural, ethnical and age spectrums;
• Demonstrate good communication skills whilst working amongst teams that operate in emergency care;
• Illustrate exemplar qualities of leadership, followership and team working within the various intra-professional or inter-professional groups operating in emergency care;
• Reflect on practice, through a critical thinking, problem solving and enquiry-based approach.