Diploma of Higher Education in Paramedic Sciences: Standard pathway

Stage 1

You’ll begin your studies with the compulsory work-based module Health sciences in practice (S110)Health sciences in practice::This work-based course develops your understanding of the science underpinning your professional practice skills. You’ll learn IT skills necessary to operate effectively in the modern workplace and numerical skills to carry out the calculations required in your job with accuracy and confidence. The course also explains the regulations and science for safe working, enabling you to become a safer practitioner. Effective teamwork and communication are vital in healthcare and the course will help you improve your proficiency in these areas. Finally, you’ll develop your problem-solving skills, and learn how to make evidence-based decisions. This course is only open to students supported by their employer and studying one of our healthcare qualifications.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W08-1,module,S110,,1 (60 credits), which will develop your understanding of the science underpinning your professional practice. You’ll also learn valuable transferable skills, including IT skills to help you operate effectively in the modern workplace; and numerical skills enabling you to make essential calculations with accuracy and confidence. The module explains the regulations and science for safe working, enabling you to become a safer practitioner. You’ll improve your teamwork and communication skills (vital to effective healthcare practice); develop your problem-solving abilities; and learn how to make evidence-based decisions.

Alternatively, if you are an experienced paramedic practitioner, we recommend that you study the work-based module Demonstrating practice in health sciences (SZL110)Demonstrating practice in health sciences::This is a six-month APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) course. It offers an alternative route of study for more experienced health professionals, who have a level of theoretical understanding and practical competence that means study of the full course is a less appropriate option. You will need to be able to present evidence of substantial prior work-based learning. You will be given guidance and instruction on how to compile an ePortfolio of evidence that demonstrates your achievement of the learning outcomes of the course.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W08-1,module,SZL110,,1 (60 credits) which will allow you to use your prior emergency care experience to demonstrate your understanding of the science underpinning your professional practice.

Alongside S110 or SZL110 we recommend that you study the 30-credit module Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125)Introducing health sciences: a case study approach::This introductory Level 1 course explores the scientific and social aspects of disease and disability in a global context through seven case studies: water and health in an overcrowded world; pain; alcohol; screening for breast cancer; chronic lung disease; trauma and accidents; and visual impairment. Each case study integrates the biological, chemical, and physical sciences with psychology, health statistics, and social studies to illuminate underlying causes and personal and societal consequences. You’ll develop skills in: evaluating evidence; understanding and using key scientific terms and concepts; handling numbers; and interpreting graphs and tables. You’ll also learn to study using ICT – including interactive DVDs, internet and online resources.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W08-1,module,SDK125,,1. This key introductory module explores the scientific and social aspects of disease and disability in a global context, through seven case studies: water and health in an overcrowded world; pain; alcohol; screening for breast cancer; chronic lung disease; trauma and accidents; and visual impairment.

You’ll complete your Stage 1 studies with the 30-credit module Topics in health sciences (SK143)Topics in health sciences::This course gives an overview of two medical conditions that present a major global health problem; cardiovascular disease and cancer. Many of us will encounter these medical conditions either through professional involvement in health, or through affected family members or friends. Your study of cardiovascular diseases will develop your understanding of heart and circulatory diseases, and the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Cancers result from defects in cell proliferation, so you’ll study the properties of cells, how they divide and how tumours are formed and spread. Both topics consider risk factors and methods of detection, treatment and prevention worldwide.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W08-1,module,SK143,,1, covering topics such as cardiovascular diseases and understanding cancers.

Stage 2

Stage 2 begins with Developing your paramedic practice (S211)Developing your paramedic practice::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.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W08-1,module,S211,,1, a work-based learning module covering legal and ethical issues in practice; quality assurance and audit; evidence-based practice and research methodology; introductory biochemistry and enzymology; pharmacology; and pathophysiology. You’ll also study practical applications such as patient and wound assessment, trauma and advanced airway management, critical care transfer and clinical decision-making – and you’ll learn how to manage conflict. Finally, you’ll research and write up a project on a health topic that particularly interests you.

Your health sciences theoretical study will be covered by two 30-credit modules. In Human biology (SK277)Human biology::This course presents human biology in a way that connects it directly with health and disease. It starts with the concept of a healthy body and explores the mechanisms that enable it to maintain its integrity. Although you’ll deal with the physiology of each body system separately, the overall emphasis is on interaction and coordination. You’ll acquire sufficient background to appreciate how systems can fail and which medical interventions can be successful. The course will suit science students – especially those with a biology background; anyone interested in health; or people working in health and social care or other professions allied to medicine.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W08-1,module,SK277,,1 you’ll examine the physiology of different body systems and the coordination between them; how systems can fail; and which medical interventions can be successful. The science of the mind: investigating mental health (SDK228)The science of the mind: investigating mental health::To what extent can we understand mental wellbeing and treat mental health conditions such as depression and dementia by focusing on the brain and its functioning? This course presents and challenges the medical model of mental health with its reliance on drug treatment, contrasting it with ideas in the field of health psychology. You will learn from case reports of those who have a mental health condition and those who care for them, as well as from relevant research studies. The course has an emphasis on understanding different approaches within psychology, as well as the nature of evidence for and against these approaches.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W08-1,module,SDK228,,1  looks at mental health conditions such as depression and dementia and challenges the medical model of mental health with its reliance on drug treatment, contrasting it with ideas from the field of health psychology.