EMT-A HIGHER DIPLOMA PROGRAMME IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
The EMT-A Higher Diploma Programme in Emergency Medical Technology is offered jointly by NATS and UCD.
Course Outline.
The course consists of 21 learning modules delivered in six distinct blocks and is offered over an academic year.
The first learning block is conducted as distance learning with workshops to support each module. These six modules have been structured to allow the participant to complete the objectives at their own pace.
Blocks II, III and IV each consist of two weeks school based learning followed by two weeks clinical placement in selected medical facilities. During their clinical placements students will be required to satisfactorily complete a schedule ofpredetermined skill objectives. The use of Clinical Practice G u i d e l i n e s - Advanced (CPG-As) as the basis for clinical decision-making provides the context in which this teaching and learning will occur.
Block V is a week of integration of knowledge, skills and behaviours and precedes the internship period.
Block VI is the experiential placement or internship phase of the course. The emphasis during this period is to facilitate the development of problem solving abilities and to integrate and consolidate knowledge, skills and behaviours into clinical practice in the pre-hospital environment. During this block the student will complete the required number and mix of patient contacts.
Assessment Process.
A broad range of assessment instruments are utilised to test knowledge, skills and behaviours. The formal assessment process will consist of multiple choice questions (MCQ), short answer questions (SAQ), continuous assessments, objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), and panel performance assessment.
Successful completion of the programme and the assessment process as outlined, will culminate in the award of Certificate of course completion (NATS), Higher Diploma in Emergency Medical Technology (UCD) and NQEMT-A/Advanced Paramedic (PHECC).