Overview

The programme duration is two years. Year one focuses on distance learning, classroom learning and clinical placements. Year two comprises an internship.

Year One Details

• Introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the major body systems
• Recognition of illnesses and injuries that affect those systems
• Assessment and management of a range of illnesses and injuries
• Common medical conditions encountered in paramedic practice
• Key features of paediatric and maternity emergencies
• Meeting the needs of patients with specific health problems such as mental health issues or disabilities

Year 1 includes taught components, supervised clinical placements in Emergency Medicine, Anaesthetics, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and General Practice and supervised clinical placements with the National Ambulance Service. In summary, Year 1 provides the core knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to manage medical and trauma emergencies in both adults and children in the pre-hospital phase of care.   

Year Two Details 

Year 2 includes clinical placements which involve the supervised delivery of pre-hospital emergency care, including:

• Assessment and management of trauma
• Approach to and management of hazards encountered in the pre-hospital environment
• A range of emergency and non-emergency patient care assessments and interventions under supervision
• Completion of professional functions of a Paramedic Practitioner
• Safe and competent use of relevant PHECC Clinical Practice Guidelines (www.phecc.ie)

Successful completion of Years 1 and 2 will lead to the award of Diploma in Emergency Medical Science.

Knowledge

• Demonstrate primary and secondary patient assessments in common illness and injury situations
• Conduct structured patient assessments in a range of settings, including basic examination techniques
• Conduct primary and secondary patient assessments in common illness and injury situations, with special reference to children, the elderly and those with disabilities
• Identify and implement appropriate patient handling and transportation strategies
• Safely and effectively administer and monitor appropriate medicines
• Be familiar with relevant PHECC Clinical Practice Guidelines

Applying Knowledge

• Competence in the wide range of skills relevant to pre-hospital emergency care
• Integrating clinical assessments with available treatment options to select the appropriate care strategy
• Ensuring that the highest ethical and professional standards are maintained
• Collecting accurate data for continuous personal and service audit purposes
• Ensuring that patient care is at all times the primary objective of the service provider
• Develop corrective action plans to minimise or eliminate risks occurring the pre-hospital environment

Judgements

• Clinical assessment of a wide range of conditions encountered in an urgent care setting
• Initial decision making on every problem presented
• Effective use of patient records and service information systems
• Demonstrate professionalism at all times

_{Communications}

• Ability to work competently under pressure
• Excellent teamwork, record-keeping and communications skills
• Working in unfamiliar settings and groups
• Interaction with other healthcare agencies and emergency services
• Knowledge of the range of inter-facility transfers in use

Learning

• Commitment to Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
• Principles of clinical audit
• Principles of literature searches and review
• Integrating new science and healthcare developments to the field

Year One

Year one will involve continuous and end of module assessments including multiple choice questions (MCQs), shortanswer questions (SAQs), objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and project components

Year Two

Year two assessment will include supervised clinical practice, portfolio and final panel exam components.

Email: cics@ucd.ie | Tel: 01 716 6665 / 01 716 6666