Bachelor's Programme in Paramedic Science Programme description

The Bachelor's Programme in Paramedic Science is a three-year programme of professional study (180 credits). Students who complete the programme are awarded the degree of Bachelor in Paramedic Science.

The programme was established under the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at HiOA. A national curriculum has not been established.

The ambulance service is an important part of the rescue service. Its areas of responsibility and function include ensuring good prehospital emergency response, organising and leading the health service's response to major accidents or disasters and actively participating in planning emergency response. Paramedics cooperate closely with other health and rescue personnel in connection with ambulance call-outs.

The objective of the programme is to qualify students to provide ethical and professionally sound prehospital care to patients with chronic or acute illnesses or injuries. By educating paramedics with a high level of professional knowledge and well-established emergency medical skills, huge health and financial benefits can be achieved, both for patients and society as a whole. The programme shall also train students to be caring and reflective health workers in their dealings with people who are ill and in crisis.

The paramedic profession entails pre-hospital diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of patients with chronic and acute illnesses or injuries, the organisation and management of ambulance operations, cooperation with specialist and municipal health services, guidance, dissemination, professional development and participation in research.

Mental suitability and the ability to be solution-oriented are prerequisites for dealing with major challenges linked to special ambulance call-outs. The work entails repeated physical strain on a daily basis and working under all kinds of weather conditions and in all kinds of terrain, which means that physical suitability and strength are also prerequisites.

The Bachelor's Programme in Paramedic Science qualifies students to work in land and sea ambulance services across Norway, in the medical service in the Norwegian Armed Forces and on missions abroad. The programme also qualifies students to work on passenger ferries to and from Norway. In addition, the programme qualifies students to apply for admission to HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) Paramedic (see frequently asked questions on the programme's website for information concerning applications for authorisation, and the National Standard for Rescue Workers). The extensive emergency medical knowledge of a paramedic also qualifies them to work in the area of teaching and training, both in relation to their own ambulance personnel, but also with cooperating health personnel, other emergency services and voluntary organisations. The paramedic profession is also practised in the other Nordic countries and comparable Western countries. In some countries, paramedics also work as community paramedics in close cooperation with the district medical officer on independent follow-up of the health service provision for the people living in the municipality.

A Bachelor in Paramedic Science also qualifies candidates for admission to many master's degree programmes in health sciences. The master's degree programme in societal safety at the University of Stavanger and the MSC Paramedics at the University of Hertfordshire are particularly relevant master's programmes.

The target group is everyone who wants to take a bachelor's degree in paramedic science in order to practise as a paramedic, or as a basis for further studies.

The admission requirements are, in accordance with the Regulations for admission to higher education, the Higher Education Entrance Qualification or prior learning and work experience. Candidates must also have:

• A class B driver's licence

• Passed the physical admission test, including a self-declaration of swimming ability

Applicants who accept an offer for a place on the programme must also submit a transcript of police records, cf. the Regulations for admission to Higher Education, Chapter 6.

Candidates must acquire a certificate of competence for driving emergency vehicles in the course of the programme. It is the students' own responsibility to ensure that they meet the health requirements for being issued a category 3 driver's licence.

The use of clothing that covers the face is not compatible with taking the Bachelor's Programme in Paramedic Science.

After completing the programme, the candidates are expected to be capable of providing satisfactory prehospital treatment to patients with acute and chronic somatic and mental illness, and be capable of independently continuing to develop their own competence.

After completing the programme, they are expected to have achieved the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has broad knowledge of the discipline's history, traditions, distinctive nature and place in society

• has broad knowledge of human anatomy and physiology

• has knowledge of general pathology for all age groups

• has broad knowledge of the early symptoms and signs of serious mental and somatic illness

• has broad knowledge of correct prehospital diagnosis and treatment

• has broad knowledge of pharmacology and medication administration

• has broad knowledge of the principles for organising and working at different types of accident sites

• is capable of continuously updating his/her discipline knowledge

• is familiar with research and development work in the field

• has basic knowledge about research ethics, research design and research methods for obtaining and analysing material

• has broad knowledge of interdisciplinary communication and cooperation in the field of emergency medicine

• has broad knowledge of how the health service is organised

• has broad knowledge of health policy priorities and the legal framework for professional practice

• has knowledge of and understands health and illness in a multicultural perspective

Skills

The candidate

• is capable of observing, assessing, identifying and intervening in relation to symptoms and signs of illness and failure of patients' vital functions

• is capable of administering and monitoring pharmaceutical treatment in a satisfactory manner

• masters relevant medical technology equipment used for diagnosis and medical treatment

• masters documentation systems in patient treatment

• masters communication and conflict management

• is capable of managing and/or working at accident sites

• is capable of participating actively in emergency response planning

• has basic skills in formulating research questions, choosing research designs, choosing appropriate methods, analysing the material collected and communicating the results orally and in writing

• is capable of driving an emergency vehicle

General competence

The candidate

• is capable of acting in a sound professional manner in his/her practice as a paramedic and showing respect, care and empathy in his/her dealings with patients/users, next of kin and others

• is capable of evidence-based practice in prehospital work

• is capable of identifying ethical dilemmas in society and in practical health care work

• is capable of reflecting on his/her own professional practice

• is capable of reflecting on the challenges facing the health care professions in a multicultural society

• is capable of providing ethically and medically satisfactory prehospital diagnosis and treatment to acutely and chronically ill patients in accordance with health care legislation

• is capable of cooperating with other professionals in the specialist and municipal health service

• has a holistic approach to acutely and chronically ill patients and their next of kin in order to be able to meet the patients' physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs

• is capable of providing guidance in and communicating important theories, problems and solutions in the field, both orally, in writing and by means of other relevant forms of expression.

The programme comprises 13 compulsory courses, which make up a total of 180 credits. Each year of the programme has a scope of 60 credits. The courses build on each other to ensure progress with increasing requirements for knowledge and understanding of the profession. All the courses conclude with a final assessment.

The programme comprises both practical and theoretical tuition internally at the university and externally on practical training placements. Parts of the programme are taught jointly with other programmes at the Faculty of Health Sciences.

In the first year of the programme, human anatomy and physiology are important topics, along with knowledge of pharmacology, drug administration and drug calculations. Basic psychiatric and somatic pathology are also taught during this year of the programme. At the same time, the students shall acquire basic knowledge of society, including the cultural understanding and communication a paramedic needs in the practice of their profession. Another important area is medical-ethical issues linked to professional practice in contact with patients and next of kin in connection with acute and chronic illness. Students are also given an introduction to the legislation that governs their professional practice.

The second year of the programme deals with ambulance operations and the first part of the emergency medical conditions and their treatment. Traumatology (the study of accidents and their management) is another key subject, and students also do their first clinical training placement.

The third year of the programme deals with the second part of the emergency medical conditions, examination and treatment. Conflict management and special ethical challenges associated with the profession are also important. Practical training as a paramedic integrates ambulance operations and medical knowledge. The student also works on the bachelor's thesis during this year of the programme.

The academic year is 40 weeks long, and the expected workload is 40 hours per week. This includes scheduled activities, students' own activity and exams.

The following progress requirements apply to the programme:

• The student must have passed all courses in the first year of the programme in order to start the second year of the programme. Exception: The student must have passed the course PARA1500 Drug Calculations before starting PARAPRA1.

• The student must pass all courses in the second year of the programme in order to start the third year of the programme.

Work and teaching methods that promote the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills will be emphasised throughout the programme. Lectures, seminars, study groups, written assignments, observational practice, simulation and skills training and clinical training make up the work and teaching methods used in the programme. Some areas will not be covered by lectures or scheduled teaching activities, and students are expected to acquire this knowledge through self-study.

Study groups

In the theoretical part of the programme, the students will be split into group of up to seven students. The groups are assigned a lecturer as a supervisor. One lecturer can supervise several study groups. Working with issues and tasks in cooperation with other students is intended to support the learning of subject matter and provide training in cooperation and interaction skills, which are necessary in the professional practice. Group supervision also aims to show the connection between the organisation of the programme and their future professional practice, and is intended to facilitate the planning and evaluation of the individual and the study group's learning process. Getting the study groups to work effectively is both a learning tool and a learning goal.

Lectures

Lectures are mainly used to introduce new material and to provide an overview. Highlighting main elements, shedding light on connections and pointing out relevant issues within a topic will form the basis for the student's own learning.

Seminars

The purpose of seminars is to process subject matter and facilitate discussion between students and teaching staff. Oral dissemination is emphasised. The students shall be given the opportunity to practise their academic formulation and presentation skills. They are encouraged to express their own opinions and reflect on their own actions and attitudes.

Written assignments and the bachelor's thesis

Through written assignments and the bachelor's thesis, students will formulate research questions for assignments and work on them over time, either individually or in cooperation with other students. They will learn theory and develop skills in using and referencing sources, analysis, discussion and written and oral communication. The primary purpose of this is to develop their ability to reflect critically and search for relevant research sources, and their ability to work in an evidence-based manner.

Clinical training, observational practice and skills training are other important work and teaching methods. See the more detailed descriptions below.

Differentiation is made between clinical training, observational practice and skills training.

Clinical training

Clinical training is supervised and carried out in the ambulance service in interaction with patients and next of kin.

Clinical training makes up 45 credits and takes place in the fourth, fifth and sixth semesters of the programme. The clinical training is organised in periods of 10-12 weeks, (PARAPRA1), 6 weeks (PARAPRA2AB) and 9 weeks (PARAPRA2AB), respectively.

The clinical courses are intended to give the student competence in integrating theoretical and research-based knowledge with clinical knowledge. In practical situations, the student also gains knowledge of patients' and next of kin's user knowledge. The field of practice is an important qualification arena for developing action competence. Students will continuously alternate between theoretical in-depth studies, simulation and skills training at the university and clinical training in the field of practice in order to develop paramedic action competence and response skills.

Clinical training is supervised. The university's contact lecturer, practical training supervisor and student supervisor at the practical training institution collaborate on facilitating learning situations in clinical training. In addition to individual supervision, students may also be supervised in groups.

The student, in consultation with the contact lecturer at the university, the practical training supervisor or student supervisor at the practical training institution, shall define his/her own learning objectives and prepare weekly plans for each practical training course. The objectives must be in line with the learning outcomes for the programme and the learning situations at the relevant practical training institution. The students will be given a practical training document before they start the supervised clinical training. This document contains an overview of all the relevant procedures/learning situations the students are expected to get through by the end of the three practical training courses. The document also contains a midway and final assessment, and it will function as a cooperation document between the student, clinical supervisor and the university. The student updates the practical training document on a continuous basis to document the procedures/learning situations he/she has done/experienced, which documents the learning outcomes and conscious choices of learning situations.

It is the students' responsibility to actively seek supervision and be prepared for all meetings with supervisors and assessment interviews. The student must at all times comply with the rules of the institution where the practical training takes place.

Attendance at clinical training totals an average of 30 hours a week. Shifts are to be planned for these periods. Depending on the practical training institution, the student will work day, evening, night and weekend shifts during a practical training period, and he/she should, as a rule, follow the practical training supervisor's shift arrangements if relevant.

Since the students may experience traumatic and demanding situations during their practical training, procedures for debriefing personnel in the ambulance service (emotional first aid and peer support ¿ EFOK) have been established to provide support. It is also the students' responsibility to contact the supervisor, contact lecturer or programme coordinator if they experience situations that they need help to process. The student may also be referred to university's health service. The students shall sign a consent form at the start of the programme confirming that they have been informed of the above.

Observational practice

The student must have completed up to 14 days of observational practice by the end of the programme. Observational practice is not supervised, but the student must describe and reflect on his/her experiences in a log.

Simulation and skills training

Simulation and skills training makes up a total of 15 credits, divided between all the theoretical courses except PARA1500 and PARA3900.

Skills are personal knowledge that the individual student develops through trial and own experience. This means that the students practise and reflect on skills that are important in paramedic practice. Skills training and student exercises can be carried out in the university's simulation centre/skills training facilities and in cooperating health trusts in the specialist health service.

At the start of the programme, the students must sign a document stating that they will comply with the guidelines for working in the simulation and skills centre (SF). This means, among other things, that students must be given a demonstration of all equipment before they use it.

Certificate of competence for driving emergency vehicles Students must pass both a theoretical and a practical test in driving emergency vehicles in order to complete the programme. The students receive theoretical and practical training in groups as a separate course with a duration of approximately three weeks during the second and third years of the programme. All students must have taken the theoretical and practical tests before completing the course PARAPRA2AB in the sixth semester. The tests are organised and assessed by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.

Please note that students must meet the requirements stipulated in Section 6 of the emergency vehicle regulations before the start of training. Among other things, this means that the student must a) document that he/she meets the medical requirements for a category 3 driver's licence, b) have reached 20 years of age, and c) have held a class B driver's licence continuously for the past two years.

For more information about the training requirements and the practical and theoretical tests in emergency vehicle driving, reference is made to the regulations relating to training, testing and competence in driving emergency vehicles (the emergency vehicle regulations - in Norwegian only): https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2009-06-12-637

OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University has established cooperation with universities and university colleges in and outside Europe, and is a member of different academic networks. Students can apply to take parts of the programme abroad, preferably at institutions that OsloMet cooperates with. Stays abroad are normally for three to six months.

The programme uses guest lecturers from foreign cooperating institutions and the programme's own lecturers gain knowledge and experience through exchanges with the same institutions.

The whole or parts of the fourth semester are particularly suitable for exchanges. It is also possible to apply for an international exchange in PARA3900 to write the bachelor's thesis under supervision at an institution abroad.

The primary language of instruction is Norwegian, but teaching in English is offered if English-speaking students have been accepted to the course PARA2200. Exam questions in English are prepared as necessary. Required coursework and exam papers can be written in one of the Scandinavian languages or in English.

Reference is made to the criteria that apply to student exchanges and the information about stays abroad.

Required coursework is all types of work, tests and compulsory attendance that are requirements for being permitted to take the assessment/exam and/or complete practical training. Required coursework is assessed as approved/not approved. The coursework requirements for each course are described in the relevant course description.

The programme has coursework requirements in the form of compulsory attendance, written assignments and practical tests.

Compulsory attendance

Attendance is compulsory in areas that are important to the competence of a paramedic, and where the student cannot acquire knowledge and skills through self-study. This means that attending the following activities is compulsory:

• seminar days

• study groups

• simulation and skills training and skills tests

• observational practice

Other activities may also be subject to compulsory attendance requirements.

There is:

• a 90% compulsory attendance requirement at all simulation and skills training and observational practice

• an 80% attendance requirement at seminars and study groups

Students are themselves responsible for ensuring that they meet the attendance requirements. If a student exceeds the maximum limit for absence, the person responsible for the course will consider whether it is possible to compensate for absence by meeting alternative requirements, for example individual written assignments. If it is not possible to compensate for absence, the student must take the course with the next class. Whether or not it is possible to compensate for absence depends on the extent of the student's absence and which activities he/she has missed.

Written assignments

Several courses have compulsory written assignments, logs or reports as part of their coursework requirements. Feedback is contingent on the written work being submitted by the stipulated deadlines. Written work that is not approved must be reworked before re-submission. If the work is not approved on re-submission, the student cannot take the ordinary exam/assessment.

Students are entitled to a third attempt before the resit/rescheduled exam. If an assignment is not approved the third time it is submitted, the student must re-take the course with the next class.

More detailed requirements for written work, deadlines etc. are set out in the teaching plan for the course in question. Practical tests Practical skills that are important for professional practice as a paramedic are tested in practical tests. If a student's practical test is assessed as 'not approved', he/she will be given another attempt before the ordinary exam. The student cannot sit the ordinary exam if the practical test is not approved after two attempts.

Students are entitled to a third attempt before the resit/rescheduled exam. If the test is not approved after three attempts, the student must take the course with the next class.

The student will encounter different forms of assessment during the programme. The forms of assessment shall ensure a continuous process towards a twofold objective: promote learning and document the student's competence as sufficient action competence and readiness to act as a paramedic. By giving the student qualified and frequent feedback, both in relation to processes and products, the information about the competence achieved can motivate the students for further efforts and identify any need to adjust learning methods.

Formative assessment (midway assessment) is carried out in the study groups, the simulation and skills centre, seminars and during clinical training.

The summative assessments (product assessment) that take place at the end of each course, are based on the learning outcomes for the course, and on whether the student has achieved the planned learning outcome.

In theoretical courses, the grades pass/fail or letter grades from A to F are used, with A being the highest grade and E the poorest pass grade. The grade F means that the student has failed the exam. The grades pass/fail are used for the assessment of clinical training.

The assessments are carried out in accordance with the applicable rules set out in the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, the Regulations Relating to Studies and Examinations at HiOA, and the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at HiOA.

The required coursework in the courses must be approved before the student can take the exam. See the course descriptions for more detailed provisions.

Resit and rescheduled exams are carried out in the same manner as the ordinary exam unless otherwise specified in the course description. In special cases, resit and rescheduled exams in courses with group exams may be held as individual exams.

For courses where a percentage of the exam papers are randomly selected for assessment by an external examiner, the external examiner's assessment shall benefit all the students. In such cases, one external and one internal examiner will first grade the selected papers. The internal examiner then continues grading the rest of the papers together with another internal examiner. The assessments from the first part are summarised to serve as guidelines for the assessments carried out by the two internal examiners.

The grade given for a written exam can be appealed, cf. Section 5-3 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and Section 7-3 (2) of the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at HiOA. It is not possible to appeal the grades awarded for oral and practical exams. For a group exam, the result of an appeal will only have consequences for the candidates who submitted the appeal. This means that all members of the group do not have to participate in the appeal.

Assessment during clinical training

During clinical training, assessment is linked to different learning activities, the expectation clarification discussion and midway and final assessments. During the period of practical training, the student shall prepare personal objectives based on the purpose of and the assessment basis for the period. The learning objectives are discussed with the practical training supervisor and the university's contact lecturer.

Students prepare for assessment by reviewing documents that document learning activities and outcomes (for example logs, personal objectives, feedback from fellow students and supervisors etc.) and by considering how this realises the points in the practical training document.

Students are entitled to regular supervision and feedback during their studies, so that they are always aware of how they are doing in relation to the learning outcomes defined for the course.

Midway assessment

The purpose of the midway assessment is to give students feedback on how they are doing in the clinical training. The student should be an active participant in the discussion about what he/she wants and needs in order to achieve the learning outcomes by the end of the practical training course. The practical training document for the course in question forms the basis for this discussion.

If doubt arises as to whether a student will be able to achieve the learning outcomes and pass the practical training course, the student must receive a written midway assessment. The student is then invited to a meeting with the supervisor and the university contact lecturer. Such meetings must be held no later than three weeks before the end of the course, and always at such a time that the student has an opportunity to demonstrate satisfactory progress during the remainder of the course to pass.

During the meeting, the student must be given written notice that there is doubt about whether he/she will be able to achieve the learning outcomes required to pass the practical training course. The meeting also forms the basis for a learning objectives contract for the remaining part of the course. The contract should describe the obligations that the student, the supervisor and the contact lecturer have agreed on. The supervisor will send copies of the documents from the meeting to the Section for Academic Affairs.

Final assessment

At the end of each clinical training course, a final assessment is made in relation to the learning outcomes for the course in question. The assessment should be based on assessments made throughout the course. The assessment result and description of what has been assessed must be signed by the student, the supervisor and the contact lecturer. Students shall receive a copy of their written assessment. The practical training document serves as a tool and documentation in connection with the assessment.

In order to pass the courses of clinical training, the student must attend at least 90% of the planned activities. Absence of between 10 and 20% can be made up for by agreement with the practical training supervisor. If absence exceeds 20%, the student must retake the course in its entirety. This leads to delayed progress and must be seen in conjunction with the student's individual education plan. The preparatory meeting for practical training is regarded part of the practical training and is therefore compulsory.

If a student is awarded a 'Fail' for a practical training course, the whole course or parts of it must be retaken. Students who fail the same practical training course twice will normally have to leave the programme.

If, after the notification deadline, (cf. the Regulations Relating to Studies and Examinations at HiOA Section 8-2, third paragraph) conditions of such a nature arise that they would undoubtedly have resulted in the practical training course being failed had they arisen earlier, the grade 'Fail' may still be awarded. If a student fails a period of practical training, a copy of the assessment form must be sent to the Section for Academic Affairs. If special reasons exist, the student can apply to the faculty's Practical Training Committee for a third and final practical training attempt. The Section for Academic Affairs can provide further information about this.

Transfer discussion

The practical training document from the previous practical training course must be shown to the supervisors (contact lecturer and practical training supervisor) during the next practical training course. The student must bring the practical training document. If necessary, the student can be called in for a discussion with the previous and new supervisor prior to the next practical training course. In some cases, the programme coordinator and a representative of the Section for Academic Affairs may also participate in the discussion.

External programme supervisor scheme

An external programme supervisor scheme exists for the programme as required by the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at HiOA.

Over a three-year period, the external programme supervisor will carry out the following supervision of the programme:

• Supervise the assessments given and assessment processes for selected courses in the bachelor's programme

• Evaluate exam assignments and assessment criteria for grading in each selected course

• Assess the connections between the programme description's learning outcome descriptions, teaching arrangements and types of assessment

• Give the academic environment feedback and advice that can be used in the ongoing work on programme quality.

The external programme supervisor shall prepare an annual supervisory report. The report forms part of the basis for the programme's evaluation of the quality of education.

Suitability assessment

Diplomas for the completed programme will only be awarded to graduates who are suited to practise the profession. A student who represents a potential threat to the life, physical or mental health, rights and security of his/her patients, clients and users is not suited for the profession.

Suitability assessments are made on a continuous basis throughout the study programme, and will be included in the overall assessment of the students' professional and personal suitability for work as health personnel. Students who demonstrate little ability to master the paramedic profession must be informed of this at the earliest possible stage of the programme. They will be given supervision and advice on how to improve, or be advised to leave the programme. Special suitability assessments are used in special cases, cf. the Regulations concerning Suitability Assessment in Higher Education: https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2006-06-30-859

Approved by: The Academic Affairs Committee at the Faculty of Health Sciences 19 September 2012 Valid from: Autumn 2014 Last amendments approved by the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences 23 March 2018

Faculty of Health Sciences

The Department of Nursing and Health Promotion

Pilestredet campus

The programme description applies to students starting the programme in 2018.