Diploma in Emergency Medical Care (Dip. in EMC)
Preamble
Regulations for the Diploma in Emergency Medical Care shall apply, subject to provisions of both the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations. University and Faculty regulations take precedence over programme regulations. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a branch of specialty health practice that focuses on the management of a broad range of acute illnesses and injury in all age groups. A specialist in emergency medicine is a clinician who uses highly developed clinical reasoning skills to care for patients with acute and often undiagnosed medical problems, that is, before comprehensive clinical or diagnostic information is available. Emergency medical services are often referred to as: ambulance or paramedic services; services that require an urgent medical response or the provision of out-of-hospital treatment and transport to definitive care They are also known as: a first aid squad, FAST squad (First Aid Stabilisation Team), emergency squad, rescue squad, ambulance squad, ambulance corps, life squad, or by other acronyms such as Emergency Medical Ambulance Services (EMAS) or Medical Air Rescue Services MARS. Road ambulances are the primary vehicles for delivering EMS, though some also use cars, motorcycles, aircraft or boats. As a first responder, the EMS provide treatment on the scene to those in need of urgent medical care. If it is deemed necessary, they are tasked with transferring the patient to the next point of care which is usually the emergency department of a hospital.
Rescue operations therefore require a high degree of training and proficiency due to the intricacies involved with such emergency operations and the need to provide highly skilled and appropriate care during this period. The Diploma in Emergency Medical Care is designed to produce registered professionals with the appropriate knowledge and expertise to meet world standards. Their training is designed to enable the EMS technicians to contribute to reduction of the morbidity and mortality of patients affected by life threatening or serious events.
The Diploma in Emergency Medical Care programme therefore aims to foster clinical decision making and professional autonomy with regards to practice as an Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP). It equips the learner with the knowledge and understanding required to practice as an independent practitioner within the Allied Health Professions Council of Zimbabwe (AHPCZ) scope of practice and applying protocols for the profession. It also aims to equip the learner with the skills required for reflective practice, autonomy and the principles of continuous education within the clinical pre-hospital realm. The subject prepares the learner in the practical content of pre-hospital emergency medical care according to the scope of practice, in simulated and real environments.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The Women’s University has partnered with MARS Zimbabwe in offering a Diploma Programme in Emergency Medical Care with the aim of providing the student with the foundational, professional and clinical basis necessary for informing effective and competent pre-hospital practice. Subject to the provisions of the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations for admission, the following entry requirements shall apply.
- Five (5) ‘O’ Level subjects including English, Mathematics and a Science subject. ‘A’ Level is an added advantage,
- Certificate in Emergency Medical Technician or Ambulance Technician,
- A working experience of at least a year in the related fields is an added requirement,
- Registration with the Allied Health Professions Council or a relevant regulatory body is mandatory for the programme since no patient contact may occur without registration. Registration is the individual responsibility of the learner and not that of the University.
DURATION OF PROGRAMME
The Diploma in Emergency Medical Care shall take two (2) years to complete. Courses will be offered through block release and weekend classes. Each academic year shall consist of two (2) semesters.
Objectives of the Programme
- The programme is specifically designed to equip the student with the following knowledge skills and attitudes:
- Develop knowledge and skills in application of the models for EMS and its systems.
- Provide opportunities for students to develop the core emergency medical care competencies in a supervised emergency setting.
- Impart the principles of initial assessment, management and stabilisation of the acutely ill and injured patients in the non-hospital setting to students.
- Provide competencies in EMC and the use of communication systems in order to effectively and respectfully communicate with patients, families.
- Provide learners with the skills to interact effectively with in-hospital and out-of-hospital healthcare team members in order to provide quality patient care.
- Develop effective teamwork skills among EMC professionals.
- Establish the unique role that pre-hospital transport plays in the healthcare system and provide skills in the use of various modes of patient transport.
- Provide knowledge of ethical principles, laws, statutes and ordinances governing the activities of EMS.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking in the assessment and treatment of patients in severe crisis
- Provide emergency care independently and as part of as team within and EMS environment.
- Perform assessment and decision making, and provide treatment for minor injuries and minor ailments in specific controlled circumstances.
- Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and or written presentation through reports and the handover of patients to other services.
- Assess and manage patients of all ages with a variety of complaints, medical conditions and traumatic injuries.
- Apply medical content and principles that define the care of emergency medical patients.
- Carry out operational routines within and Emergency Medical Services environment.
- Demonstrate understanding of and apply the principles of medical ethics, professional behaviour and the legal framework to the context within which the emergency care provider operates.
- Perform medical rescue in selected contexts.
Programme Structure
Emergency Care is a challenging and applied science studied, practiced and researched by people who are proud of the honour, discipline and traditions of emergency care provision in the country. The diploma graduate will engage in a range of activities that will require mental astuteness, courage and physical strength. Besides theoretical education, the student will spend a significant amount of time on practical skills training and simulated patient management in a Clinical Skills Laboratory. Therefore, the course will be delivered in a combination of learning methods including theoretical learning and practise through simulation at WUA, virtual learning and practical activities at MARS other designated collaborating centres. Further clinical and practical skills will be obtained during and within the students working environment with follow up supervision. Mentoring visits in institutions of practice will be arranged. Skills acquired will build on what was done in the previous year of study from basic medical rescue into technical rescue and heavy rescue with the foundations set in the prior years.The learner will therefore be able to adequately apply an integration of theoretical principles, proven techniques, practical experience, clinical procedures and appropriate skills in accordance with the subject outcomes.
COURSES ON OFFER
First Year Semester 1 Courses
Course Description
Basic Communication Skills
Basic Computer Literacy
Foundation and Principles of EMC
Basic Anatomy, Physiology
Trauma and Shock Emergencies
Medical Emergencies, Basic Life Support and Clinical Decision Making
Infectious Disease Management and Control
First Year Semester 2 Courses
Introduction to Gender Studies
Emergency Service Communication
Emergency Pharmacology
Patient History, Assessment and Documentation
Transport, Patient lifting and Moving
Airway Management and Mechanical Ventilation
Critical Care and Resuscitation
Second Year Semester 1 Courses
Research Methods
Clinical Attachment (I month)
Emergency Pharmacology
Cardiovascular Emergencies and Respiratory Emergencies
Primary Health Care
Second Year Semester 2 Courses
Neurological Emergencies
Environmental Emergencies
Obstetric and Gynaecological Emergencies
Emergency Care for infants and Children
Research Project
NON- CORE COURSES
Basic Computer Literacy
Basic Communication Skills
Introduction to Gender studies
- Scan the completed application form and relevant certificates (certified copies of national ID card,birth certificates and national certificates) and proof of payment of application fee
- Attach your particulars and submit them to the Mrs. Sithole from the Admissions Department on the following email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Please label your email correctly on the Subject. ie : Jane Doe’s Application for Post Grad Dipl in Palliative Care