Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Emergency Medical Care (BSc in EMC)

 

Preamble

Regulations for the BSc Honours Degree in Palliative 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 special health practice that focuses on the management of a broad range of acute illnesses and injury in all age groups. 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.  In most places, the EMS can be summoned by members of the public (as well as medical facilities, other emergency services, businesses and authorities) via an emergency telephone number which puts them in direct contact with a control facility, which will then dispatch a suitable response  team to attend to  the situation. 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.

 

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. The BSc Degree 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 the reduction of the morbidity and mortality of patients affected by life threatening or serious events. The programme therefore aims to produce an advanced paramedic (AP) who is a highly skilled and experienced emergency care practitioner who has a high standard of professional competence. The AP possesses a substantially higher skills set in patient assessment, critical care and management. Additionally, he/she should also be proficient in leadership, mentorship, interpersonal communication, working with multidisciplinary teams, service management and professional development.

It is against this backdrop that the Women’s University has partnered with MARS Zimbabwe in offering a Degree Programme in Emergency Medical Care. The aim of the programmes is to equip learners with the knowledge and understanding required to practise as an independent practitioner within the Allied Health Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe scope of practice and protocols for the Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP). It also aims to equip the learner with the skills required for reflective practice and autonomy, in line with the principles of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within the clinical pre-hospital field of practice.

 

Entry Requirements

Subject to provisions of the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations for admission, the following entry requirements shall apply:

• A diploma or degree in a related health discipline such as: A Diploma in Paramedics, Diploma in EMT, Certificate in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), a Medical Doctor, a Registered General Nurse with Advanced Trauma Care, a Registered General nurse with post basic nurse training in Intensive Care Nursing, Anaesthesia or Emergency Care Nursing,
• Working experience of at least two years in EMS is an added requirement.
• Registration with the Allied Health Professions Council or a relevant regulatory body is mandatory on the programme since no patient contact or staff deployment may occur without registration. Registration is the individual responsibility of the learner and not that of the University.

 

Duration of Programme

The Degree in Emergency Medical Care shall take three (3) 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

1. The programme is specifically designed to equip the student with the following knowledge skills and attitudes:
2. To equip the learner with an advanced knowledge of the content of prehospital emergency medical care discipline area as well as to form the attitudes, values and philosophies present in the discipline.
3. Impart the advanced principles of assessment, management and stabilisation of the acutely ill and injured patients in the non-hospital setting to students.
4. Provide competencies in EMC and the use of communication systems for effective and respectful communication with patients, families.
5. 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.
6. Develop effective leadership and teamwork skills among EMC professionals.
7. Provide knowledge of the principles of disaster management and how to respond appropriately and effectively in disaster situations.
8. 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, including ground ambulances, rotary wing and fixed wing air ambulances as well as water ambulances to move patients from one location to another.
9. Provide knowledge of ethical principles, laws, statutes and ordinances governing the activities of EMS.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate of the EMC Degree should demonstrate the following competencies:

1. Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking in the assessment and treatment of patients.
2. Work effectively with others as a member of the team, group, organisation and community within the context of providing emergency care and supporting other services.
3. Organise and manage self and own activities responsibly and effectively in the preparation and provision of emergency care to pre- hospital patients.
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information in the assessment and treatment of patients.
5. Obtain and document an appropriate yet thorough problem-focused emergency history and physical examination utilising all available information sources (e.g. patient, family, community)
6. 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.
7. Communicate in a medical and professional manner, both orally and in writing to the patient, the family and with health care professionals.
8. Facilitate communication with the patient’s medical practitioner to accomplish optimal transfer of care.
9. Assess and manage patients of all ages with a variety of complaints, medical conditions and traumatic injuries.

Programme Structure

The Emergency Care Degree 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. The learner 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.

 

The course will be delivered in a combination of learning methods including theoretical learning at WUA, virtual learning and practical activities at designated collaborating centres. Each module will incorporate training on the equipment and tools relevant for each emergency situation. 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 from 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 programme outcomes.

 

The programme is designed to impart knowledge and skills in the following areas:

Courses on Offer

First Year Semester 1

 

Basic Communication Skills

Basic Computer Literacy

Applied Anatomy and Physiology

Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Emergencies

Critical Care and Resuscitation

Governance, Ethics, Legal Issues and Professional Practice

First Year Semester 2  

Introduction to Gender Studies

Patient History and Assessment

Respiratory Pathophysiology and Emergency Care

Airway and Ventilatory Support and Mechanical Ventilation

Obstetric and Gynaecological Emergencies

Paediatrics Emergencies

Second Year Semester 1

Research Methods 1

Trauma, Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalance Emergencies

Clinical Attachment/internship (2 months)

Second Year Semester 2

Environmental Emergencies

Neurological Emergencies

Communicable Diseases Management

Cardiovascular Emergencies

Research Methods 11

Third Year Semester 1 

Clinical Decision Making and Decoding Medical Test Results

Leadership and Management in Emergency Medical Care

Hazardous Substances and Decontamination

Risk Assessment Disaster Preparedness and Mass Casualty Management

Behavioural & Mental Health Emergencies

Fire, Search and Water Rescue

Third Year Semester 2 

Research Project

Entrepreneurial Skills

Participating in Work Teams

Principles of Leadership and Training

Clinical Audit

Non-Core Courses

Basic Computer Literacy

Entrepreneurial Skills

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