1. Practice foundational clinical skills in a laboratory and simulated environment to develop clinical practice in medical and trauma care.

Application & Problem-Solving

2. Demonstrate an understanding of non-technical skills associated with clinical practice

Knowledge & Understanding

3. Use appropriate digital technologies to interpret objective patient observations that support evidence-based clinical decision-making

Digital Literacy

Leadership and Professional Judgement

Assessment 1

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Skills Proficiency Test

Weighting: 0% (Pass/Fail)

Assesses module learning outcome 1.

This OSCE will consist of three five-minute stations designed to assess essential psychomotor and procedural skills required for safe paramedic practice. Each OSCE station will focus on a discrete technical skill drawn from the taught skills curriculum. You will be provided with the list of possible skills to be demonstrated in the OSCE during the assessment brief and will be advised which three skills you will demonstrate on entering the exam room.

Examples may include (but are not limited to):

Basic airway management

Application of monitoring equipment

Administration of oxygen therapy

Manual handling and safe patient positioning

Use of clinical assessment tools

Assessment Approach

Each station is five minutes in duration.

You will demonstrate the allocated skill to a trained assessor in a simulated clinical environment.

Performance is measured against a binary competency checklist (Pass/Fail), assessing accuracy, safety, infection prevention, equipment handling, and adherence to professional standards.

Rationale

Skills proficiency tests provide assurance that you are able to perform core procedures safely and consistently, supporting HCPC expectations for safe and effective practice.

You must pass all three OSCE stations to achieve an overall pass.


Assessment 2:

Structured Patient Encounter

This is a simulation-based assessment

Weighting: 100%

Assesses module learning outcomes 2 & 3.

The Structured Patient Encounter is a 15-minute graded clinical simulation assessing the student’s ability to complete a focused patient assessment using relevant digital tools, synthesise clinical findings, and implement an appropriate management plan. Students will interact with a simulated patient presenting with an acute clinical problem reflective of contemporary pre-hospital practice.

Assessment Scope

Students will be assessed on:

Establishing rapport and obtaining an accurate patient history

Conducting a structured clinical assessment

Identifying key clinical problems and associated risks

Implementing appropriate therapeutic interventions

Applying clinical decision-making frameworks

Demonstrating situational awareness, prioritisation, and safe practice

Communicating findings effectively

Assessment Method

The simulation runs for 15 minutes followed by a short (ungraded) safety debrief.

Assessors will use an analytic marking rubric evaluating critical domains such as assessment quality, clinical reasoning, intervention accuracy, professional behaviours, and communication.

The scenario complexity aligns with typical presentations encountered at the appropriate stage of the programme.

Rationale

This assessment allows students to demonstrate integrated knowledge and skills within a dynamic environment, aligning with HCPC expectations regarding clinical reasoning, patient management, and safe autonomous practice.

Develop the essential skills and behaviours that form the foundation of safe and effective paramedic practice.

This module introduces core assessment frameworks, basic medical and trauma care skills, and the interpretation of vital signs using tools such as JRCALC. You will explore key non-technical skills including communication, professionalism and situational awareness, applying your learning through skills labs and simulation. The overall goal is to prepare you to become a high-quality paramedic who can contribute to the future of pre-hospital emergency care.

Building from the module, Foundations of Biosciences, learning will consist of theory and practice in a range of technical and non-technical skills. Sessions will be taught as, lead lectures, debates, seminars, and pre-recorded content, with a focus on clinical skill, management and technique. This will be supplemented by online study materials, clinical simulation, and peer review.

Online materials will be used to introduce subject areas and will be delivered through the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE). This will then be built upon through lead lectures.

Incorporated into these will be tasks and activities, which will help to form the basis of face-to-face tutorial sessions to reinforce your learning.

Specialist guest lectures, service users and carers will also be included to give students an in-depth professional and personal experience of key subject areas.

You will also be expected to undertake your own self-study on this module. You will have guidance on which issues and areas to look at, but this study is designed to help expand your knowledge and appreciation for the key subject matters, and to allow you time to work on and develop your assessment skills.

Bowden, T. & Green, S. (2020). Foundations for Paramedic Practice: A Theoretical Perspective. 4th ed. Oxford University Press.

A foundational text for Level 4. Covers communication, professional practice, human factors, patient assessment and core skills. Ideal for early understanding of non-technical skills and the professional environment.

Blaber, A. & Harris, G. (2021). Clinical Skills for Paramedic Practice. 3rd ed. Open University Press.

A practical, step-by-step guide to the basic clinical skills taught at Level 4: vital signs, airway management, wound care, and assessment frameworks. Very accessible for new students.

Brown, L. (Ed.) (2023). Essentials of Paramedic Care. Class Professional Publishing.

UK-specific and mapped to the College of Paramedics Curriculum. Offers clear explanations of foundational assessment, trauma and medical emergencies.

College of Paramedics (2024). Paramedic Curriculum: 6th Edition. College of Paramedics.

Not a textbook, but an essential professional framework underpinning this module. Useful for students to orient themselves to the expectations of professional practice.

Nolan, J.P. et al. (2023). JRCALC Clinical Guidelines (UK Ambulance Service). Class Professional Publishing.

Key digital resources that students must learn to navigate.

VLE - Blackboard (Virtual Learning Environments).

Microsoft Teams

Simulation Centre

Hi Fidelity Simulation Equipment

Classrooms.

Library support.

Academic Mentor support.

Group tutorials.

Lectures.

Seminars.

This module introduces the essential knowledge and skills required for safe, effective patient assessment and early clinical management. You will develop foundational clinical skills, explore key non-technical skills used in practice, and learn how to interpret patient observations using relevant digital tools.

Core Clinical Skills

Introduction to patient assessment frameworks, including the ABCDE approach.

Measuring and recording vital signs: respiratory rate, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation, blood pressure and consciousness level.

Basic medical and trauma care skills such as airway positioning, oxygen administration, wound care and haemorrhage control.

Early recognition of common medical and trauma presentations.

Non-Technical Skills and Human Factors

Communication skills for patient interaction and teamworking.

Professional behaviours, consent, dignity, and diversity in care.

Situational awareness, decision-making, and working safely in clinical and simulated environments.

Introduction to reflective practice and feedback.

Use of Digital Tools and Clinical Decision Support

Using JRCALC and other digital guidelines to support early assessment and decision-making.

Understanding and interpreting objective observations and early warning indicators (e.g., NEWS2).

Recording information accurately using electronic documentation systems.

Recognising when to escalate care based on trends and abnormal findings.

Simulation and Skills Laboratory Practice

Applying assessment and management skills in structured scenarios.

Developing confidence in safe patient handling, communication, and teamwork.

Practising foundational clinical skills in a controlled, supervised learning environment.