Developing your paramedic practice
On this page
This course is the Level 2 work-based module of the OU qualifications in paramedic sciences and it further develops your understanding of the science underpinning your work. You'll study a range of topics including legal and ethical issues in practice; quality assurance and audit; evidence-based practice and research methodology; introductory biochemistry and enzymology; pharmacology; and pathophysiology. Practical applications such as patient and wound assessment, trauma and advanced airway management, critical care transfer and clinical decision-making will also be covered. Additionally, you will learn how to manage conflict. Finally, you will research and write-up a project on a health topic that particularly interests you.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | S211 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 7 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
If you want to improve both your transferable and practical skills, and underpin them with theoretical knowledge, then this course is for you. Developing your paramedic practice allows you to approach new tasks and responsibilities with confidence, using your workplace as a teaching arena it guides you through activities making them relevant to you, your present job, or the job that you aspire to have.
This course consists of twenty-two units, studied over 18 months. They vary in length, but are generally quite short. Much of the work you will carry out for each of them, and the learning that you do, will be in the workplace as part of your day-to-day practice. Placements are required if you are studying towards the foundation degree or DipHE. Although every unit has a text component, some of them are also supported by other media.
The project, which you will undertake at intervals but predominantly towards the end of the course, is the largest unit, and will involve around 100 hours of study. In your project you will be required to choose a health topic that particularly interests you, and to research the topic in depth. The project write-up will form a major part of your end-of-module assessment (EMA). You will be invited to submit a project outline as part of an earlier TMA, and you should discuss the topic of your project with your tutor, to assess its suitability.
Vocational relevance
Developing your paramedic practice will be attractive to anyone wishing to advance their career in the area of emergency care. It builds on your existing skills and allows you to develop them further in line with National Occupational Standards, the Knowledge and Skills Framework, and Health Professions Council Competency statements. It is equally relevant for people working in the NHS and in the private sector.
Entry
This course is not available as a standalone course.
To register for this course you must be studying for one of the following qualifications:
- Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences
- Diploma of Higher Education in Paramedic Sciences
- Diploma in Paramedic Science.
In addition, for the Foundation Degree/Diploma of Higher Education in Paramedic Sciences you must:
- be employed in a relevant job in the health sector – your employer must agree to support you throughout your studies, and to arrange the practice placements necessary for you to develop skills fitting you for competent practice as specified by the College of Paramedics and the Health Professions Council
- have successfully completed the Level 1 modules Health sciences in practice (S110) or Demonstrating practice in health sciences (SZL110), Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125) and Molecules, medicines and drugs: a chemical story (SK185).
For the Diploma in Paramedic Science you must be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) as a paramedic – support from your employer and Level 1 study is not a requirement.
We recommend that you study S211 alongside Human biology (SK277) followed by The science of the mind: investigating mental health (SDK228).
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
This course forms part of professional qualifications open only to students in relevant employment in the health sector and, depending on which qualification, who are sponsored by their employer. In order to achieve the learning outcomes of the course students will need to be able to complete independently all the activities going on in their workplace.
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting your needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Module guide, module texts; audio and visual materials and a website and forums.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have an OU tutor whom you can contact via email or by phone, and the tutorial activities will take place online. Your OU tutor is responsible for your academic development, and will answer questions about academic, course-related matters.
If you are studying this course as a module of the foundation degree/DipHE you will also have a workplace mentor, supplied by your employer, who will look after your needs and guide you in the workplace, and will foster and assess your skills development.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
The end-of-module assessment (EMA) requires you to write a report, submit an electronic portfolio that you will have developed through the course and, if you are studying for the Foundation Degree or DipHE, achieve a ‘competent practice’ level in specific professional practical competences.
Professional recognition
S211 is a compulsory module in the Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences and Diploma of Higher Education in Paramedic Sciences. Successful completion of either of these qualifications will make you eligible to apply to the Health Professions Council to be registered as a Paramedic.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2012. We expect it to be available once a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | S211 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 7 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Your questions
We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.
Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
Browse the prospectus
Get a prospectus
Download or
order
Share
This PageThe University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.