KSBs

Knowledge

K1: The importance of continuing professional development throughout own career. Back to Duty

K2: The importance of safeguarding, signs of abuse and relevant safeguarding processes. Back to Duty

K3: What is required by the Health and Care Professions Council, including but not limited to the Standards of conduct, performance and ethics. Back to Duty

K4: The importance of valid consent. Back to Duty

K5: The principles and practice of risk management, safeguarding and the duty of candour. Back to Duty

K6: The importance of capacity in the context of delivering care and treatment. Back to Duty

K7: The scope of a professional duty of care, and how to exercise that duty. Back to Duty

K8: Legislation, policies and guidance relevant to own profession and scope of practice. Back to Duty

K9: The criteria required for making a self-referral and when to proceed. Back to Duty

K10: The importance of own mental and physical health and wellbeing strategies in maintaining fitness to practise. Back to Duty

K11: how to take appropriate action if own health may affect own ability to practise safely and effectively, including seeking help and support when necessary. Back to Duty

K12: The need for active participation in training, supervision and mentoring in supporting high standards of practice, and personal and professional conduct, and the importance of demonstrating this in practice. Back to Duty

K13: Equality legislation and how to apply it to own practice. Back to Duty

K14: The duty to make reasonable adjustments in practice and be able to make and support reasonable adjustments in owns and others’ practice. Back to Duty

K15: The characteristics and consequences of barriers to inclusion, including for socially isolated groups. Back to Duty

K16: How regard to equality, diversity and inclusion needs to be embedded in the application of all HCPC standards and across all areas of practice. Back to Duty

K17: When disclosure of confidential information may be required. Back to Duty

K18: The principles of information and data governance and the safe and effective use of health, social care and other relevant information. Back to Duty

K19: The need to ensure confidentiality is maintained in all situations in which service users rely on additional communication support, such as interpreters or translators. Back to Duty

K20: Recognise that the concepts of confidentiality and informed consent extend to all mediums, including illustrative clinical records such as photography, video and audio recordings and digital platforms. Back to Duty

K21: The characteristics and consequences of verbal and non-verbal communication and recognise how these can be affected by difference of any kind including, but not limited to, protected characteristics, intersectional experiences and cultural differences. Back to Duty

K22: The need to support the communication needs of service users and carers, such as through the use of an appropriate interpreter. Back to Duty

K23: The need to provide service users or people acting on own behalf with the information necessary in accessible formats to enable them to make informed decisions. Back to Duty

K24: Recognise the principles and practices of other health and care professionals and systems and how they interact with own profession. Back to Duty

K25: The need to build and sustain professional relationships as both an autonomous practitioner and collaboratively as a member of a team. Back to Duty

K26: The qualities, behaviours and benefits of leadership. Back to Duty

K27: Recognise that leadership is a skill all professionals can demonstrate. Back to Duty

K28: The need to engage service users and carers in planning and evaluating diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions to meet own needs and goals. Back to Duty

K29: The value of reflective practice and the need to record the outcome of such reflection to support continuous improvement. Back to Duty

K30: The value of multi-disciplinary reviews, case conferences and other methods of review. Back to Duty

K31: The value of gathering and using data for quality assurance and improvement programmes. Back to Duty

K32: The structure and function of the human body, together with knowledge of physical and mental health, disease, disorder and dysfunction relevant to the profession. Back to Duty

K33: The roles of other professions in health and social care and how they may relate to the role of paramedic. Back to Duty

K34: The structure and function of health and social care systems and services in the UK. Back to Duty

K35: The theoretical basis of, and the variety of approaches to, assessment and intervention. Back to Duty

K36: Human anatomy and physiology and development across the lifespan, sufficient to recognise the nature and effects of injury or illness, and to conduct assessment and observation in order to form a differential diagnosis and establish service user management strategies. Back to Duty

K37: The following aspects of biological science:– disease and trauma processes and how to apply this knowledge to develop appropriate treatment plans for the service user’s care– how the application of paramedic practice may cause physiological and behavioural change– human anatomy and physiology, especially the dynamic relationships of human structure and function and the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems– human growth and development across the lifespan– normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan– relevant physiological parameters and how to interpret changes from the norm– the factors influencing individual variations in human ability and health function– the main classes of pathogenic microorganisms, the spread of infection and the use of universal precautions– the main sequential stages of normal development, including cognitive, emotional and social measures of maturation through the human lifespan. Back to Duty

K38: The following aspects of physical science:– principles and theories of physics, biomechanics, electronics and ergonomics that can be applied to paramedic practice– scientific units of measurement acquired in clinical and healthcare practice and the principles of analysis and interpretation– the means by which the physical sciences can inform the understanding and analysis of information used to determine a diagnosis– the pathophysiological changes to normal homeostatic function and its implications– the principles and application of measurement techniques based on biomechanics and electrophysiology. Back to Duty

K39: The following aspects of sociological, health and behavioural science:– how aspects of sociology, health and behavioural sciences are fundamental to the role of the paramedic in developing and maintaining effective relationships – how sociology can inform an understanding of physical and mental health, illness and healthcare in the context of paramedic practice. Back to Duty

K40: The following aspects of clinical science:– pathological changes and related clinical features of conditions encountered in emergency and urgent care and primary and community care– physiological, pharmacological, structural, behavioural and functional changes in service user presentation– principles of evaluation and research methodologies which enable the integration of theoretical perspectives and research evidence into the design and implementation of effective paramedic practice– the theoretical basis of assessment, clinical decision making and appropriate treatment plans, along with the scientific evaluation of their effectiveness– the theories supporting problem solving and clinical reasoning. Back to Duty

K41: The pharmacological principles applied to healthcare which include pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and apply to those medicines utilised by paramedics to treat service users.-the role of pain management, its complexity and the importance of robust approaches using both pharmacological and pharmacological strategies-the analysis of polypharmacy, evaluating pharmacological interactions and the impact upon mental wellbeing and healthcare provision.-recognise adverse drug reactions and manage appropriately, including reporting as required. Back to Duty

K42: Human development and the main sequential stages of normal development, including cognitive, emotional and social measures of maturation through the human lifespan.– human growth and development including factors influencing individual variations in human ability and health status–how variation influences susceptibility to disease, injury and responses to treatment across the lifespan– the role of nutrition in promoting health and illness across the lifespan– the fundamentals of genetics. Back to Duty

K43: The effects of psychological factors on health and illness and the impact of culture on illness –the contribution of behavioural factors in health and illness – basic knowledge of the key theories of behavioural change to include the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing. Back to Duty

K44: Social determinants of health, including inequality and factors contributing to the needs of different social groups, and the factors that influence an individual in health and illness.– how sociological, health and behavioural sciences are fundamental to the role of the paramedic in developing and maintaining effective relationships –how sociology can inform an understanding of physical and mental health, illness and healthcare in the context of paramedic practice. Back to Duty

K45: A range of research methodologies relevant to own role. Back to Duty

K46: The value of research to the critical evaluation of practice. Back to Duty

K47: The theories and science that underpin the theory and principles of paramedic practice. Back to Duty

K48: The indications and contra-indications of using specific paramedic techniques in emergency and urgent care and primary and community care, including their limitations and modifications. Back to Duty

K49: How to select or modify approaches to meet the needs of service users, their relatives and carers, when presented in the emergency and urgent care environment. Back to Duty

K50: The need to consider the assessment of both the health and psycho-social care needs of service users and carers. Back to Duty

K51: The need to maintain the safety of themselves and others, including service users, carers and colleagues. Back to Duty

K52: Relevant health and safety legislation and local operational procedures and policies. Back to Duty

K53: Appropriate moving and handling techniques. Back to Duty

K54: The responsibilities of the paramedic in responding to hazardous or major incidents, including public health emergencies. Back to Duty

K55: The use and importance of effective communication in major incidents. Back to Duty

K56: The need for business continuity, escalation and resilience plans. Back to Duty

K57: The role of the profession in health promotion, health education and preventing ill health. Back to Duty

K58: How social, economic and environmental factors, wider determinants of health, can influence a person’s health and well-being. Back to Duty

K59: Road safety legislation, high speed driving techniques and codes of practice. Back to Duty

K60: Vehicle safety checks required for ambulances and rapid response vehicles including tyre pressure, oil, water and fuel levels. Back to Duty

K61: Vehicle, stock and equipment recording and ordering processes and protocols. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Identify the limits of their practice and when to seek advice or refer to another professional or service. Back to Duty

S2: Recognise the need to manage own workload and resources safely and effectively, including managing the emotional burden that comes with working in a pressured environment. Back to Duty

S3: Keep own skills and knowledge up to date. Back to Duty

S4: Use a range of integrated skills and self-awareness to manage clinical challenges independently and effectively in unfamiliar and unpredictable circumstances or situations. Back to Duty

S5: Engage in safeguarding processes where necessary. Back to Duty

S6: Work safely in challenging and unpredictable environments, including taking appropriate action to assess and manage risks to themselves and service users and carers. Back to Duty

S7: Maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct. Back to Duty

S8: Promote and protect the service user’s interests at all times. Back to Duty

S9: Respect and uphold the rights, dignity, values, and autonomy of service users, including own role in the assessment, diagnostic, treatment and/or therapeutic process. Back to Duty

S10: Recognise that relationships with service users, carers and others should be based on mutual respect and trust, and maintain high standards of care in all circumstances. Back to Duty

S11: Obtain valid consent, which is voluntary and informed, has due regard to capacity, is proportionate to the circumstances and is appropriately documented. Back to Duty

S12: Apply legislation, policies and guidance relevant to own profession and scope of practice. Back to Duty

S13: Recognise the power imbalance which comes with being a health care professional, and ensure it is not for personal gain. Back to Duty

S14: Practise in accordance with current legislation governing the use of medicines by paramedics. Back to Duty

S15: Identify own anxiety and stress and recognise the potential impact on own practice. Back to Duty

S16: Develop and adopt clear strategies for physical and mental self-care and self-awareness, to maintain a high standard of professional effectiveness and a safe working environment. Back to Duty

S17: Recognise that they are personally responsible for, and must be able to, justify their decisions and actions. Back to Duty

S18: Use own skills, knowledge and experience, and the information available, to make informed decisions and / or take action where necessary. Back to Duty

S19: Make reasoned decisions to initiate, continue, modify or cease treatment or the use of techniques or procedures, and record the decisions and reasoning appropriately. Back to Duty

S20: Make and receive appropriate referrals, where necessary. Back to Duty

S21: Exercise personal initiative. Back to Duty

S22: Demonstrate a logical and systematic approach to problem solving. Back to Duty

S23: Use research, reasoning and problem-solving skills when determining appropriate actions. Back to Duty

S24: Use a range of integrated skills and self-awareness to manage clinical challenges effectively in unfamiliar and unpredictable circumstances or situations. Back to Duty

S25: Make decisions about the most appropriate care pathways for service users and refer service users appropriately. Back to Duty

S26: Respond appropriately to the needs of all different groups and individuals in practice, recognising this can be affected by difference of any kind including, but not limited to, protected characteristics, intersectional experiences and cultural differences. Back to Duty

S27: Recognise the potential impact of own values, beliefs and personal biases, which may be unconscious, on practice and take personal action to ensure all service users and carers are treated appropriately with respect and dignity. Back to Duty

S28: Actively challenge barriers to inclusion, supporting the implementation of change wherever possible. Back to Duty

S29: Adhere to the professional duty of confidentiality. Back to Duty

S30: Respond in a timely manner to situations where it is necessary to share information to safeguard service users, carers and/or the wider public and recognise situations where it is necessary to share information to safeguard service users, carers and/or the wider public. Back to Duty

S31: Use effective and appropriate verbal and non-verbal skills to communicate with service users, carers, colleagues and others. Back to Duty

S32: Communicate in English to the required standard for the profession. Back to Duty

S33: Work with service users and/or own carers to facilitate the service user’s preferred role in decision-making, and provide service users and carers with the information they may need where appropriate. Back to Duty

S34: Modify own means of communication to address the individual communication needs and preferences of service users and carers, and remove any barriers to communication where possible. Back to Duty

S35: Use information, communication and digital technologies appropriate to own practice. Back to Duty

S36: Keep full, clear and accurate records in accordance with applicable legislation, protocols and guidelines. Back to Duty

S37: Manage records and all other information in accordance with applicable legislation, protocols and guidelines. Back to Duty

S38: Use digital record keeping tools, where required. Back to Duty

S39: Work in partnership with service users, carers, colleagues and others. Back to Duty

S40: Contribute effectively to work undertaken as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Back to Duty

S41: Identify anxiety and stress in service users, carers and colleagues, adapting own practice and providing support where appropriate. Back to Duty

S42: Identify own leadership qualities, behaviours and approaches, taking into account the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion. Back to Duty

S43: Demonstrate leadership behaviours appropriate to own practice. Back to Duty

S44: Act as a role model for others. Back to Duty

S45: Promote and engage in the learning of others. Back to Duty

S46: Engage in evidence-based practice. Back to Duty

S47: Gather and use feedback and information, including qualitative and quantitative data, to evaluate the responses of service users to own care. Back to Duty

S48: Monitor and systematically evaluate the quality of practice, and maintain an effective quality management and quality assurance process working towards continual improvement. Back to Duty

S49: Participate in quality management, including quality control, quality assurance, clinical governance and the use of appropriate outcome measures. Back to Duty

S50: Evaluate care plans or intervention plans using recognised and appropriate outcome measures, in conjunction with the service user where possible, and revise the plans as necessary. Back to Duty

S51: Demonstrate awareness of the principles and applications of scientific enquiry, including the evaluation of treatment efficacy and the research process. Back to Duty

S52: Change own practice as needed to take account of new developments, technologies and changing contexts. Back to Duty

S53: Gather appropriate information. Back to Duty

S54: Analyse and critically evaluate the information collected. Back to Duty

S55: Select and use appropriate assessment techniques and equipment. Back to Duty

S56: Undertake and record a thorough, sensitive, and detailed assessment. Back to Duty

S57: Undertake or arrange investigations as appropriate. Back to Duty

S58: Conduct appropriate assessment or monitoring procedures, treatment, therapy or other actions safely and effectively. Back to Duty

S59: Critically evaluate research and other evidence to inform own practice. Back to Duty

S60: Engage service users in research as appropriate. Back to Duty

S61: Ensure decision-making is supported by effective safety netting. Back to Duty

S62: Modify and adapt practice to meet the clinical needs of service users within the emergency and urgent care environment. Back to Duty

S63: Formulate specific and appropriate management plans including the setting of appropriate timescales. Back to Duty

S64: Conduct a thorough and detailed physical examination of the service user using appropriate skills to inform clinical reasoning and guide the formulation of a differential diagnosis across all age ranges. Back to Duty

S65: Use observation to gather information about the functional abilities of service users, how this affects the management of patients and the appropriate patient care pathways. Back to Duty

S66: Work safely, including being able to select appropriate hazard control and risk management, reduction or elimination techniques in a safe manner and in accordance with health and safety legislation. Back to Duty

S67: Demonstrate awareness of relevant health and safety legislation and comply with all local operational procedures and policies. Back to Duty

S68: Select appropriate personal protective equipment and use it correctly. Back to Duty

S69: Establish safe environments for practice, which appropriately manages risk. Back to Duty

S70: Apply appropriate moving and handling techniques. Back to Duty

S71: Be prepared for the responsibilities of the paramedic in responding to hazardous or major incidents, including public health emergencies. Back to Duty

S72: Establish and run a triage system. Back to Duty

S73: Empower and enable individuals, including service users and colleagues, to play a part in managing own health. Back to Duty

S74: Engage in occupational health, including being aware of immunisation requirements. Back to Duty

S75: Use advanced driving skills to respond to emergency and routine calls and to safely transfer patients under emergency and non-emergency driving conditions. Back to Duty

S76: Carry out vehicle checks, to ensure that the vehicle is road worthy, clean and stocked. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Treat people with dignity. Back to Duty

B2: Respect individual's diversity, beliefs, culture, needs, values, privacy and preferences. Back to Duty

B3: Show respect and empathy for patients, their families, carers and those you work with. Back to Duty

B4: Be adaptable, reliable and consistent. Back to Duty

B5: Have the courage to challenge areas of concern. Back to Duty

B6: Recognise and act within the limits of own competence seeking advice when needed. Back to Duty

Qualifications

English and Maths

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

Other mandatory qualifications

Health and Care Professions Council approved BSc (Hons) Paramedic

Level: 6 (integrated degree)

L7 qualification approved by the HCPC where the apprentice already holds a Level 6 degree

Level: 7 (integrated degree)

Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving Course. This is an Ofqual qualification and is the only mandated qualification that meets regulatory requirements. Individuals would have to complete the Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving Course unless they have already passed either the legacy Institute of Health Care Development (IHCD) Driver training programme or Chief Ambulance Officer approved internal programmes with high-speed driving component where candidates can demonstrate current and relevant driving experience. Previous driver training programmes must meet the criteria set out by the Department for Transport for high-speed driving in the Road Safety Act.

Level: 3

Professional recognition

Additional details

Regulated standard

This is a regulated occupation.

Regulator body:

Health and Care Professions Council

Training Provider must be approved by regulator body

EPAO must be approved by regulator body

Occupational Level:

6

Duration (months):

36

Review

This apprenticeship standard will be reviewed after three years