KSBs

Knowledge

K1: The HCPC regulated standards for paramedics: the ‘Standards of Proficiency – Paramedics’ and the HCPC ‘Standards of Conduct, performance and ethics’ Back to Duty

K2: The statutory regulation and legislation that inform paramedic practice Back to Duty

K3: The principles and practice of gaining consent Back to Duty

K4: Data protection and confidentiality in relation to the role of paramedic Back to Duty

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

K6: The range of theories and concepts that describe paramedic practice within emergency and urgent care Back to Duty

K7: The decision-making processes associated with paramedic practice Back to Duty

K8: The role and responsibilities of paramedics and that of other health and social care professionals including delegation and referral protocols Back to Duty

K9: Road safety legislation, high speed driving techniques and codes of practice Back to Duty

K10: Vehicle safety checks required for ambulances and rapid response vehicles including tyre pressure, oil, water and fuel levels Back to Duty

K11: Cleaning and decontamination protocols and processes used in paramedic practice Back to Duty

K12: The clinical, diagnostic, invasive and therapeutic equipment and resources required for paramedic practice including relevant safety checks Back to Duty

K13: Vehicle, stock and equipment recording and ordering processes and protocols Back to Duty

K14: A range of communication methods, strategies, interventions and media used in paramedic practice Back to Duty

K15: Verbal and non-verbal cues and how communication should be modified to address and take account of factors such as age, capacity, learning and physical ability and the condition of the patient Back to Duty

K16: The protocols and procedures required to ensure timely and efficient contact with the Emergency Operations Centre Back to Duty

K17: Various ways of communicating difficult and complex information in potentially challenging circumstances and how to check that it has been understood Back to Duty

K18: The importance of a person-centred approach, shared decision-making and the active involvement of the patient in their own care Back to Duty

K19: Your own professional accountability to share accurate and timely information with other healthcare professionals and services such as the police, fire service, social care or general practice Back to Duty

K20: Current regulation and protocols for recording patient data and the decisions you have taken regarding their care and transfer Back to Duty

K21: Reporting and escalation processes relevant to paramedic practice Back to Duty

K22: Clinical governance and ways to maintain standards, monitor and improve the quality and cost effectiveness of services provided by your team Back to Duty

K23: Own role and that of others in scene and incident management; continuing to develop knowledge as exposed to new third party roles Back to Duty

K24: The structure and function of the human body relevant to paramedic practice Back to Duty

K25: How paramedic principles are expressed and translated into action through a range of assessment, diagnosis and management approaches Back to Duty

K26: The conditions and care requirements frequently encountered in paramedic practice, covering the physiological, psychological and social needs of patients Back to Duty

K27: Current evidence-based practice decision-making and how working practices can be adapted or modified to meet the changing needs of the patient and/or environment Back to Duty

K28: The relevant course of action, based on a rational decision-making process and clinical safety including critical consideration of personal scope of practice and patient choice Back to Duty

K29: The equipment and procedures required to deliver care packages to resuscitate and stabilise patients Back to Duty

K30: Decision making processes for initiating, modifying or ceasing treatment or procedures according to the changing needs and condition of the patient Back to Duty

K31: Manual handling techniques including consideration of patient and situational needs Back to Duty

K32: Clinical leadership theories and strategies Back to Duty

K33: Coaching, mentoring, training and teamwork theories and strategies Back to Duty

K34: The role of a paramedic and other services in accidents and emergencies, disaster management, major incidents and public health emergencies Back to Duty

K35: Referral and transfer of care processes and protocols Back to Duty

K36: Principles of a ‘duty of care’, what this means for a paramedic and why it is important Back to Duty

K37: Strategies to promote, exchange and evaluate collaborative working within a multi-professional/disciplinary team Back to Duty

K38: Current legislation governing the use of medicines by paramedics Back to Duty

K39: Relevant pharmacology and the administration of therapeutic medications, including pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics Back to Duty

K40: The processes and protocols for medicine management whilst in operation and on the station Back to Duty

K41: Infection prevention and control protocols and procedures Back to Duty

K42: Health and safety regulations relevant to paramedic practice Back to Duty

K43: Security measures relevant to paramedic practice including lone working, vehicle security and safe storage of medication Back to Duty

K44: The importance of an evidence-based approach, how to keep up to date with current best-practice and employ critical thinking when making decisions Back to Duty

K45: The importance of maintaining currency of knowledge and skills through continuing professional development in line with Health and Care Professions Council requirements Back to Duty

K46: The value of critical reflection, research and evidence-based practice and the need to undertake further study to continually improve the service and patient experience through career-long learning Back to Duty

K47: The importance of health, well-being, emotional intelligence and resilience for paramedics Back to Duty

K48: Quality assurance, audit and ways to continually improve your own clinical and operational performance and that of your team Back to Duty

K49: The importance of debriefing and review so that lessons can be addressed ready for future patient safety and management Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Practice autonomously, safely and effectively within the scope of practice and the legal and ethical boundaries of a paramedic Back to Duty

S2: Seek informed consent Back to Duty

S3: Be responsible and accountable for protecting data, maintaining confidentiality and sharing information in line with organisational policy Back to Duty

S4: Keep people safe, minimising risks, raising safeguarding concerns and reporting in line with organisational policy should errors or omissions occur Back to Duty

S5: Work within an unpredictable environment to carry out immediate and emergency care as required by the situation and patient Back to Duty

S6: Take professional accountability for your own practice and the decisions that you make Back to Duty

S7: Recognise the limitations of your own role and when to delegate or refer to others Back to Duty

S8: 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

S9: Carry out vehicle checks, to ensure that the vehicle is road worthy, clean and stocked Back to Duty

S10: Clean, decontaminate and check equipment and stock to maintain a state of operational readiness Back to Duty

S11: Check and prepare diagnostic, invasive and therapeutic equipment Back to Duty

S12: Maintain accurate vehicle, stock and equipment records Back to Duty

S13: Communicate with patients and others in a professional, compassionate manner using methods, strategies, interventions and media relevant to the intended audience and context Back to Duty

S14: Communicate effectively using both written and verbal cues, modifying communication to address and take account of factors such as age, capacity, learning and physical ability and the condition of the patient Back to Duty

S15: Maintain regular and timely contact with the Emergency Operations Centre Back to Duty

S16: Explain and communicate information that may be complex, emotive or sensitive, maintaining a calm and professional manner to enable patients to make informed decisions and actively engage in their own care where possible Back to Duty

S17: Share relevant information in a timely manner with the wider multi-professional team, liaising with other services and giving your professional opinion as required Back to Duty

S18: Complete prompt, legible and accurate patient records, accurately recording observations, interventions, therapies and decisions taken, protecting data, maintaining confidentiality and sharing accurate information in line with organisational policy Back to Duty

S19: Report and escalate issues, risks and concerns in line with organisational policy Back to Duty

S20: Engage in the quality improvement of the service by sharing data, ideas, patient and colleague feedback in line with organisational policy Back to Duty

S21: Assess the scene, situation and environment and carry out risk management and/or mitigation Back to Duty

S22: Assess the physical and mental health needs of the patient and the criticality of their condition Back to Duty

S23: Diagnose and manage the patient’s condition, gaining consent, maintaining dignity and seeking to enhance well-being Back to Duty

S24: Apply evidence-informed treatment to currently accepted best practice Back to Duty

S25: Use critical problem-solving skills to make clinical decisions, adapting and modifying working practices as required for the patient and/or situation Back to Duty

S26: Provide an immediate course of treatment at the scene, in the patient’s home or on the way to the hospital or another service providing the highest standard of compassionate clinical care and personal care within the pre-hospital environment Back to Duty

S27: Use diagnostic, invasive, therapeutic and surgical equipment and procedures such as ventilation, defibrillation and airway management to resuscitate and stabilise patients Back to Duty

S28: Monitor the patient’s condition Back to Duty

S29: Move and handle patients safely in varied and uncontrolled environments Back to Duty

S30: Provide leadership in paramedic care, supervising and training others and acting as a role model Back to Duty

S31: Work in partnership with other health and social care professionals and agencies as part of the multi-professional, multi-disciplinary team to manage accidents, emergencies, disasters or incidents Back to Duty

S32: Ensure continuous duty of care, monitoring and maintain treatment until the patient is either discharged, referred or transferred to the care of another healthcare professional and agency Back to Duty

S33: Co-ordinate inter-professional and inter-disciplinary care, liaising with other services to secure patient-centred care Back to Duty

S34: Comply with current legislation on medicines management for paramedics Back to Duty

S35: Administer therapeutic medications to patients in the correct way for the patient’s condition and situation, recognising, recording and monitoring the effects Back to Duty

S36: Check supplies, request and dispose of medicines in line with organisational policy Back to Duty

S37: Ensure medicines are always stored securely when in operation and when at the station Back to Duty

S38: Apply infection prevention and control measures in line with organisational policy Back to Duty

S39: Adhere to current best practice for ensuring the health and safety of patients, self and others and relevant to the type of incident and location Back to Duty

S40: Ensure that the vehicle and contents are secure at all times Back to Duty

S41: Secure and keep safe patient’s property and/or belongings during treatment and transfer Back to Duty

S42: Make evidence-based decisions, thinking critically and drawing on experience in all situations Back to Duty

S43: Participate in continuous professional development and maintain a CPD portfolio Back to Duty

S44: Proactively seek and respond to feedback to improve own knowledge and skills and to improve the service and patient experience Back to Duty

S45: Monitor and evaluate the impact of your daily work on your own health, well-being, emotional intelligence and resilience and that of your team showing an awareness of your own responses to external stimulus Back to Duty

S46: Reflect on judgements and decisions taken in routine, complex and challenging situations by yourself and your team seeking to continually improve performance Back to Duty

S47: Objectively consider, evaluate and interpret information, actively monitoring and managing performance continually across a diverse range of situations Back to Duty

S48: Participate in de-briefings and reviews as required by the role, incident and situation 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 and 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