Degree Programme in Emergency Care

This curriculum is a translation of the curriculum of the Finnish degree program.

Curriculum responsibility: Pirjo Kinnunen

Basis of Education

The degree program in paramedics leads to a Bachelor's degree in social and health care, the degree titles being Bachelor of Health Care. The scope of the studies is 240 credits and the duration is 4 years. The skills produced by the degree correspond to the level of higher education defined jointly in the European Union, which enables the movement of labor and experts.

A paramedic is an outpatient emergency care specialist whose job is to independently assess the condition of a person who is suddenly ill or injured, initiates and maintains the patient’s basic organ functions, improves the patient’s prognosis, and improves or alleviates his or her condition. The role of the paramedic is also to support and guide individuals and communities in a variety of acute situations at different stages of life. The paramedic's special area of ​​responsibility is care-level emergency care, ie the readiness to provide enhanced care-level care outside the hospital. Emergency care emphasizes co-operation with the emergency services, emergency response, police, rescue services and social services. The emergency care service is part of our country's health care system. The emergency care service enables the targeting of health care measures and the initiation of necessary treatment for the patient already in the encounter situation before transport. Due to the long distances, Finnish emergency care also emphasizes patient monitoring and care during transport. The paramedic can work e.g. in ambulances, hospital emergency departments, intensive care units or other primary care and acute care planning, training, administrative and development tasks or as an entrepreneur.

The nurse acts as a nursing expert in multidisciplinary working groups and networks, and develops and promotes research and other evidence-based nursing. The nurse works to promote health in both national and international working life. He can work in public and private social and health care organizations. The nurse participates in the development of health and welfare services and in social decision-making in accordance with sustainable development. The nurse implements and develops nursing work for the individual, family, and community that promotes and maintains health, prevents disease, cures, and promotes rehabilitation. The professional competence of a nurse includes e.g. anticipating and supporting resources for factors affecting the health, well-being and resources of individuals, families and communities. Under the guidance, the nurse promotes the control of factors that affect individuals' own lives and the mobilization of resources when a person becomes ill.

The values ​​and ethical principles of nursing guide the activities of nurses and paramedics. The starting point for his professional activities is the legislation in force at the time and Finland's health policy guidelines. The operating environment for nursing and the competence of staff are regulated by national and European legislation, which aims to ensure equal opportunities for health and well-being for all.

Legalization as a health care professional

National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (VALVIRA) legalises health care as a legal professional, nurse, at the request of a paramedic. Legalization requires that the training of paramedics meets the minimum requirements for training as a nurse. The professional qualifications of nurses and the training of nurses responsible for general care are regulated by Directive 2013/55 / ​​EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and the European Qualifications Framework (2006). The task of the university of applied sciences is to verify that the graduating health care professional has the competence required by the professional skills requirements.

Competence Standards

The emergency care education at Savonia equals to level 6 at the Finnish and European Qualification framework. The paramedic's competence profile consists of competencies.

Structure of Studies

The studies of a paramedic consist of 240 credits. According to the curriculum, one year of study corresponds to 60 credits, which means 1,600 hours of student work. The student's work consists of e.g. contact hours, distance and independent study, e-learning and internships. The study includes working life-oriented research and development activities.

Development of Expertise

In Savonia's curricula, the study units form broader study units. In this way, they support the overall development of the student and the development of expertise. At the same time, it is possible to combine teaching and work-based research and development.
The curriculum for paramedics is designed to:
- the degree produces the skills required in working life
- the training ensures the development of the student's expertise.

Student
-prepares a personal study plan to support his / her studies, in which previously acquired competence is identified (includes at least 5 credits of studying in a foreign language)
-responsible for the progress of their studies.
Savonia teachers and other staff guide and support in defining and achieving personal goals.

The development of a paramedic student's expertise starts with familiarization with nursing work and first aid work and progresses through development and deepening into the application of first aid and nursing work. In outpatient emergency care studies, progress is made through basic-level emergency care studies to nursing-level emergency care skills. The annual themes and their competency level descriptions, as well as the semester themes and the competence objectives of the themes, help the learner to plan and assess his / her professional growth and focus on learning core knowledge and skills as well as ethical principles. Learning is a goal-oriented, situational and interactive activity. This requires identifying the learner’s own goals and objectives. After completing the degree and having sufficient work experience, it is possible to apply for a master's degree.

Methods and implementation

In Savonia, the pedagogical starting point is the Open Innovation Space (OIS 2.0) model. It combines high-quality education with research and development activities close to working life. Work-related education emphasizes students' motivation and commitment to studies. The development of students' expertise is promoted in various learning environments, by enabling diverse, time- and place-based year-round study and by making extensive use of the study of work. Comprehensive student guidance and the identification and recognition of prior learning are part of the students' personal study plan. According to the learning perspective of paramedic education, a student is a self-directed individual who takes responsibility for his or her own professional growth and development. Throughout the education, the student maintains a personal learning environment (PLE), in which he or she reflects on his or her own development in accordance with the semester themes of the studies.

The working life orientation of Savonia's education is realized through the diverse networking of teachers. Networks also ensure the continuous development of substance expertise. The staff creates learning situations and supports student learning. Student services, library and information services, international services and other university services help with studying. The training follows the principles of accessibility and sustainable development.

The curriculum of the degree program in paramedics defines the objectives and main content of each study course, the scope in terms of credits, the principles of organizing studies and teaching, and the required credits. The implementation planning of the training is carried out every semester. The study courses to be taken during the same semester are planned as a single entity. The flexibility of studies is guaranteed by virtual studies, the use of social media as a learning tool and the use of alternative ways of demonstrating competence. The identification, recognition and demonstration of prior learning and the study of work are part of this process. The teacher tutor supports the personalization of studies and the development of competence.

The principles of the implementation of the degree program in paramedics are the dialogue of practical and theoretical teaching, learning in different expert cultures and securing the individual pathways of the student. In the study, contact teaching alternates and interleaves with independent study alone and in a group. Part of the study and learning takes place at the school in skill workshops and simulation situations. Internships in real working environments as well as other forms of study used in working life, such as various projects implemented in cooperation with working life, are part of learning and competence development. From the beginning of their studies, students are supported in community learning and independent acquisition of information. During paramedic training, the student provides evidence of basic and nursing skills in first aid.

Internationalization is part of studying. Students have the opportunity to study internationality and cultural competence abroad at different stages of their studies in various exchange programs for 60 credits and in their own educational institution together with international students. Studies completed abroad are included in the studies of the degree program in paramedics. In connection with professional studies, the student completes at least 5 credits of studies in English (other than language studies). The student can also practice cultural skills while tutoring international exchange students and working in immigrant communities, for example. Students may choose to complete optional language studies that are included as part of a personal study and career plan.

The goal of entrepreneurship studies is not only to be an entrepreneur, but also to increase entrepreneurial activities, entrepreneurial knowledge and knowledge of business life. Students can also develop their entrepreneurial skills during internships.

The assessment follows the degree rules of Savonia University of Applied Sciences. Assessment guides and reviews the achievement of the student's study goals. The evaluation criteria are based on the objectives of the course and the student receives information about the evaluation criteria at the beginning of the course. The student has the right to receive information on the application of the assessment criteria to his / her study performance.

The degree program in paramedics collects quantitative and qualitative feedback from the semester's studies, which is discussed with the students. In addition, the student has the opportunity to provide feedback through the student intranet feedback system. Feedback can be given in your own name or anonymously. In addition, if necessary, the teacher can collect feedback on the course using an appropriate method.

Course Table

Course Descriptions

4 STYOP01 Orientation to Social and Health Care Studies