Preamble

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. 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

Programme Aim

The aim of the Diploma in Emergency Medical Care program is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to provide high-quality, patient-centred emergency medical care in a variety of settings, preparing them to respond effectively and efficiently in emergency situations, and to provide a foundation for further education and specialization in the field of emergency medical services.

Objectives

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.

Admission Entry Requirements

For admission into the Diploma in Emergency Medical Care, one should have the following qualifications:

• Five (5) ‘O’ Level subjects including English, Maths 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.

Assessment of Students

• There shall be a set of formal examinations at the end of each semester.
• Coursework shall account for 30% while the formal examination shall account for 70% of the overall assessment.
• Courses for each semester shall be assessed through a 3-hour written examination and continuous assessments.
• The examiners may, at their discretion, require candidates to present themselves for an oral examination.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of the Programme will lead to the award of a Diploma in Emergency Medical Care (Dip.EMC).The Diploma in Emergency Medical Care will lead to registration as a Paramedic with the Allied Health Professions Council of Zimbabwe and qualification for entry in the Bachelor in Emergency Medical Care.

Diploma graduates are responsible for the treatment of ill and injured persons in the pre-hospital emergency care environment. Career opportunities exist in public and private emergency medical services both locally and abroad.Since the course aims to equip the learner with the skills required for reflective practice and the principles of continuing education within the clinical pre-hospital realm must be upheld

Additional Information

• The Research Project shall be done by all the students and done during the second year of the programme at an approved site after approval of the proposal.
  • The Department of Family and Health Sciences shall approve at least one academic member of staff to supervise the student’s dissertation.
  • There shall be a minimum 40 hours consultation time between the student and the supervisor during the period of the research project.
  • The student must submit two spiral bound copies of the Research project to the Department for marking at a date determined by the WUA.
  • The assessment of the Research Project shall be based on the format prescribed by the Faculty Board.
  • The Research Project shall be assessed by two examiners.
  • The Faculty Board of Examiners shall consider the two examiners’ assessments and decide on the final mark for the Research Project.