Clinical Assessment and Referral Skills for Paramedics
University Certificate in Professional Development

Course overview

This module develops Health and Care Professions Council registered paramedics knowledge and skills in the management of patients presenting with non-urgent 999/111 calls within out of hospital care.

You develop a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of assessing and managing minor injuries and illnesses.

Course details

What you study

You study the following:

• Calgary-Cambridge Model of History Taking
• Red flags – sepsis, rashes and allergies
• Systems enquiry – cardiac/respiratory/gastro-intestional/musculo-skeletal/ear nose and throat
• Anatomy and pathophysiology for common minor injuries in adults and children
• Decision-making, care planning, referral pathways for common minor injury and illness in out of hospital care
• Multidisciplinary team working and referral pathways professional accountability in practice.

How you learn

Blended module delivered over ten weeks:

• Weeks 1 - 4: one all day online session split into two 3-hour sessions
• Week 5: two face-to-face sessions practicing and developing new skills learned in the online study blocks
• Week 10: OSCE examination

You engage in a variety of online learning activities one full day a week for four weeks (two x3 hour sessions per day) followed by two full days practical experience where you will practice the techniques/use new equipment which has been introduced during the online learning activities. You will be supported using the University’s virtual learning environment throughout which will contain all the learning materials and other resources to support your success on this module.

How you are assessed

You are assessed by one separate objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) lasting 30 minutes (25 minutes practice and 5 minutes for questions) in week 10.

The OSCE will be based on a scenario of a patient presenting with a common minor injury or illness which you would expect to see in practice. During the OSCE you will be expected to demonstrate the ability to gather information by applying the comprehensive clinical history gained from the patient followed by an appropriate physical examination. You systematically analyse and evaluate this information to formulate interventions decisions and management options based on best available evidence.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Health and Care Professions Council-registered paramedic.

If you are studying this through your employer you will need sponsorship from your employer to complete the award.

Employability

Work placement

You complete 37.5 hours in practice in a minor injury unit or walk-in centre to consolidate learning.

Career opportunities

This award enables you to further develop your knowledge and understanding of history taking and physical assessment for minor injury and illness which may be encountered in practice, and enhance and develop your clinical assessment decision-making skills to ensure your accountability and professionalism when making an autonomous referral in practice.