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PgC - Paramedic First Contact Practitioner: Practice Development

A First Contact Practitioner (FCP) is a diagnostic clinician working in primary care, able to assess and manage undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations.

To build a clear national primary care education pathway for paramedics wishing to move into first contact practice and progress into an AP role, the HEE has written the HEE (2021) First Contact Practitioners in Primary Care: Paramedic – a roadmap to practice, which aims to standardise the quality and governance of education provision and care provided by FCPs as these roles develop in primary care. It sets out the knowledge, skills and attributes (KSA document) required for clinicians moving into FCP roles in primary care, including capabilities that have been mapped to existing frameworks, including the HEE (2019) Paramedic Specialist in Primary and Urgent Care Capabilities Framework and the HEE (2020) Core Capabilities Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice (Nurses) working in Primary Care in England.

The PG Cert Paramedic First Contact Practitioner: Practice Development provides a framework within which a student can build their knowledge, skills and attributes, and evidence these to gain recognition with HEE.

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Paramedic First Contact Practitioner: Practice Development cover image

Course Overview

The programme will enhance your ability to complete a detailed assessment of undifferentiated and undiagnosed primary care presentations and provide you with the appropriate knowledge base to anticipate problems, thus enhancing your ability to manage patients accordingly.

As you develop within the programme you will gain the skills and expertise to critically analyse situations and clinical presentations, approaching the patient holistically in the primary care setting.

You will study this programme over 1 calendar year which equates to one module per semester in addition to a QPU which will run alongside the academic modules across the full programme.

You will be working in the Primary care setting throughout the programme whilst utilising the Qualificatory Practice Unit ‘work-based learning in primary care’ in conjunction with a suitable clinical mentor to develop your practical skills in consultation, examination, and patient management.

On this course you will...

  • Develop skills that will allow you to practice as a confident and competent First Contact Practitioner.
  • Study content which is relevant to the world of work, emphasising problem-solving and the interaction of theory and practice. It will challenge you intellectually, promoting independence and confidence.
  • Be involved in a stimulating and challenging academic and scholary environment for you to advance your academic and professional development, with the support of our encouraging team.
  • Achieve a recognisable qualification to work as a First Contact Practitioner in primary care.
  • Be able to apply for accreditation of prior learning (APL) into the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice. 40 credits from your first 2 modules have been mapped against the MSc ACP programme and can be considered for APL into this programme.
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What our graduates say

  • Oliver Reynolds, Adult Nursing

    I chose Adult Nursing due to the ability to make a difference in someone's life when they are in need of it most, that thoroughly excites me. Being able to care and constantly learn about patients and their conditions is a big part.

    Oliver Reynolds, Adult Nursing

    Originally from Morecambe and studying at Cumbria's Lancaster campus, Oliver joined the frontlines at Lancaster Royal Infirmary during the Coronavirus Pandemic as part of his second-year placement.

  • Charlene Meadowcroft, Adult Nursing

    The course allowed me to be part of a profession that I love and wanted to be a part of for a long time. I also gained a lot of confidence during my time at university. I’m definitely a more confident and assertive person these days which is vital in nursing.

    Charlene Meadowcroft, Adult Nursing

    A graduate from Cumbria's Class of 2014, Charlene joined the university to stay close to home.

  • Ameera Gause, Adult Nursing

    The course is very engaging and it gives me an opportunity to apply all my past knowledge and skills to my ongoing/future as a nurse.

    Ameera Gause, Adult Nursing

    Born in the Caribbean, Ameera joined the university after living in the UK for 6 years.

Course Structure

What you will learn

Learn how to work effectively as a safe, competent First Contact Practitioner, demonstrating a critical knowledge and understanding of the legal, professional and ethical aspects of the role and its function within primary care

Develop as a critical thinker and reflective/reflexive practitioner, able to apply techniques of rigorous enquiry and critical appraisal and application of an evidence-based approach

Learn how to critically evaluate and apply models of consultation and physical examination skills, assessing, diagnosing and managing undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations

Learn how to critically evaluate and apply models of clinical decision making, demonstrating professional judgement in complex and unpredictable situations

Learn how to demonstrate critical appreciation of the importance of collaborative working and development of therapeutic relationships, applying underpinning principles and frameworks for effective, inclusive, person-centred and holistic practice

Modules

The programme will enhance your ability to complete a detailed assessment of undifferentiated and undiagnosed primary care presentations and provide you with the appropriate knowledge base, enhancing your ability to manage patients

This programme and the modules within it, support self-development whilst meeting the requirements of the capabilities, knowledge skills and attributes set out within Health Education England’s roadmap to First Contact Practitioner in Primary Care

You will study this programme over 1 calendar year which equates to one module per semester in addition to a QPU which will run alongside the academic modules.
Each module has been designed to take you through stage one and two of the roadmap and build upon your theoretical knowledge base and clinical skills. Academic and workplace learning are woven into the programme to enable you to ‘marry’ together the new knowledge and clinical skills that enable you to become a First Contact Practitioner

Modules
  • The Clinical Consultation in First Contact Practice: Integrating Theory and Practice
    The module will centre on commonly presenting, wide ranging health problems in primary care to facilitate evidence based, critically focused, self-evaluative learning opportunities.
  • Clinical Decision Making in Primary Care: Improving Outcomes in Complex Patients
    To enhance knowledge and understanding of the complexity of patient and client presentations, demonstrating an appreciation of the pathophysiological processes occurring utilising investigative and evaluatory approaches to improve care.
  • Primary Care: Challenges and Innovations in Practice
    The aim of this module is to enhance your knowledge and understanding of primary care in the context of the wider health and social care system, and to critically explore advancements and innovations that improve the efficacy of the primary care system.
  • Qualificatory Practice Unit: Work Based Learning in Primary Care for First contact Paramedic Practitioners
    The unit content will include the core clinical skills, indicative knowledge, key clinical presentations, investigations and referrals set out in the roadmap for first-contact paramedic practitioners.
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  • Location

    Online Learning

    Online learning at the University of Cumbria is an interactive experience that makes use of a range of technologies and media types to provide a rich learning environment.

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