BSc Remote Paramedic Practice

The Remote Paramedic Practice programme is the first undergraduate degree that is specifically designed for the practice of paramedicine in remote, resource-poor and austere environments.

It is a three year course that leads to the Level 6 Bachelor of Science degree. It has an exit award after one year with the Level 6 Diploma and and exit award after year two with the Level 6 Higher Diploma.

The programme is accredited with the European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS) and the College is registered through NCFHE in Malta.

Enrolment Start Academic Year 20/21: Enrolments for January 20201 are open.

Registration deadline is December 1st, 2020.

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Diploma in Remote Paramedic

Prerequisite: none

RPP101: Remote Emergency Medical Technician (blended learning)

The REMT module is designed for individuals requiring an EMT certification for work in remote and austere locations worldwide. Past students have been from the security, energy, international guides and academic industries. If you work or spend time in austere environments where access to medical care is often delayed and communication is unreliable, this six-day course is for you! The REMT is the industry standard for mountain leaders, professional guides, close protection team leaders, expeditions, and search and rescue team members.

Certifications: Remote EMT. Graduates from RPP101 can register as EMTs with the Malta Registry of Paramedics.

RPP102: Applied Human Sciences (online only)

This module includes human anatomy, pathophysiology and microbiology. It gives a fundamental understanding of human biology and the structure and function of the human body. The pathophysiology section provides a case based learning of human pathology. The microbiology provides a good background understanding of the diseases and processes that will be applicable for the second year modules in tropical and austere medicine.

RPP103: Fundamentals of Paramedic Science (blended learning)

This module focuses upon the basic concepts, skills and principles that are required for a fundamental safe practice for the remote paramedic. It uses an evidence based approach to describe and demonstrate safe professional practice in the remote clinical setting. It will introduce the direct and indirect factors that influence patient care. It covers how relationships between health care professionals and casualties can be enhanced through effective communication, best practice medical skills and a for thinking outside of the box.

RPP104: Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice (classroom learning)

This module provides the hands on skills and case based learning that builds on the concepts found in RPP103. The three week module is a comprehensive introduction to the paramedic profession and the practice of advanced medical skills in the remote prehospital environment. Through a variety of didactic and clinical experiences, students will gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the remote paramedic practice. The module includes a strong emphasis on developing an evidence based, assessment-based approach to casualty care that leads to appropriate treatment and evacuation of the critical casualty.

RPP105: Clinical Practicum

This module provides hands on clinical experience to practice and perfect the skills learned in RPP104. The 375 hours of clinical placement are conducted under the direct supervision of a medical doctor or advanced practitioner.

Certification Earned

Graduates from RPP105 can register as a paramedic with the Malta Registry of Paramedics. There are jobs available in the remote and offshore industry that have accepted this registration. Some jobs require additional certifications such as the UK HSE Offshore Medics course, ITLS/PHTLS, ACLS/ALS and sometimes they require health and safety certificates.

Higher Diploma in Remote Paramedic Practice

Prerequisite: Diploma in Remote Paramedic Practice or RPL for the equivalent

RPP201: Foundations in Tropical Medicine (blended learning)

This module provides didactic and hands on classroom based learning that covers wilderness medicine, tropical medicine, expedition medicine and travel medicine. The module was based on disease and non-battle injury (DNBI) research found in the review of recent expeditions and military deployments. It focuses on the top twenty injuries and ailments found in remote clinics worldwide. The module culminates with a prolonged field care exercise.

Certification: Tropical Travel and Expedition Medical Skills course accredited by the Wilderness Medical Society.

RPP202: Advanced Concepts in Austere Clinical Practice (blended learning)

This module provides didactic and hands on classroom based learning that covers the remote and austere medical skills needed for the advanced practitioner. It covers minor surgical skills, austere laboratory clinical diagnosis and culinates with a prolonged field care exercise.

Certification: Remote and Austere Medical Skills course accredited by the Wilderness Medical Society.

RPP203: Fundamentals in Critical Care (blended learning)

This module focuses upon the basic concepts, skills and principles that are required to assess and treat the critical casualty. The course covers haemodynamic monitoring, critical care monitoring, advanced concepts of shock, the treatment of burns in remote environments and prepares the student for the American board certification as a Critical Care Paramedic.

Optional certification: Flight Paramedic (FP-C) or Critical Care Paramedic (CCP-C) accredited by IBSC.

RPP204: Austere Urgent Care: Minor Illness and Injuries

This module will give students the skills required to manage a range of minor injuries and minor emergencies that may encountered in the remote and austere environment. Common injuries have been identified from area specific literature, and the experience of the teaching faculty of working in remote and austere environments.

RPP205 Burns in Resource-limited Environments

This module will cover the fundamental topics regarding the presentation, diagnosis and initial management of the casualty suffering from burns specifically for the healthcare provider working in remote, austere and resource-limited environments.

RPP206 Prehospital Pain Management and Sedation

This module introduces the fundamental topics for the assessment and management of pain specifically for the remote, austere and resource-limited environments, focusing on the concepts of general, regional, pain management, and sedation anaesthesia. Additional topics include: airway management techniques, positioning, and an introduction to anaesthetic pharmacology are emphasized. Anaesthetic management strategies for patients with common diseases and perioperative problems are examined. Upon course completion, students should be able to demonstrate prehospital pain management and sedation strategies.

RPP207 Austere Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis

This module introduces basic clinical laboratory techniques, laboratory safety, care and use of basic laboratory equipment and setting up a small clinical laboratory in a remote, austere and resource-limited environment.

RPP208 Remote Medical Life Support

This module covers the top twenty injuries and ailments seen by healthcare professionals working in remote, austere and resource-limited environment.

RPP209 Wilderness and Expedition Medicine

This module introduces the foundational concepts of the practice of healthcare and the knowledge base required working in wilderness and expedition medicine.

RPP210 Practicum II

This module aims to build on the concepts of assessing and managing a patient in the remote out-of-hospital environment found in RPP105. It will provide students with advanced knowledge, understanding and skills to undertake preliminary patient assessment and treatment, and will introduce them to the range of management options available for paramedics within a defined range of situations. This knowledge, and the skills gained during the module, will directly assist them in preparing for their placement modules.

Bachelor of Science Remote Paramedic Practice

RPP301 Travel Medicine, Health and Safety

This module presents the fundamental skills and knowledge needed by the remote healthcare practitioner to assess and treat the unwell traveller and the skills needed to assess and mitigate travel risks. It also covers health and safety in the remote workplace including water safety, food safety and workplace safety.

RPP302 Special Operations Medicine

It discusses the role of the special operations medic whilst providing medical care in remote, austere and resource-limited environments.

RPP303 Public Health and Disaster Medical Response

This module combines the knowledge and skills needed for disaster medical response and public health requirements found in remote and austere environments.

RPP304 Tropical Medicine for Remote Practitioners

This advanced module will build on the fundamental learning of tropical medicine from RPP201 and RPP202. It will cover advanced concepts in tropical diseases that will include a profound understanding of the pathophysiology and laboratory diagnosis of tropical diseases and advanced assessments and treatments for these issues.

RPP305 Diving and Marine Medicine

This module introduces the foundational concepts of dive and marine medicine including the medical observation of divers, diseases and organisms specific to the marine environment and the management of medical conditions and emergency situations found whilst diving or during marine operations.

RPP306 Mountain and Altitude Medicine

This module discusses the various conditions found whilst ascending to altitude. The physics of altitude medicine are discussed, along with the assessment and treatment of altitude sickness. Optimal management is discussed, along with strategies that can be used to prevent altitude sickness.

RPP307 Aeromedical Retrieval Medicine for Extreme Altitudes

This module provides foundational knowledge on the recovery of the critical casualty by air specifically focusing in the extreme altitude environments. Additionally, the module will focus on the clinical, aviation and logistics issues that ensure safe and effective retrieval missions.

RPP308 Pharmacology for the Paramedic Practitioner

This module builds on the foundational knowledge learned in modules RPP103 and RPP104. Emphasis is placed on applying advanced concepts for the use of pharmaceuticals for the healthcare practitioner working in remote, austere and resource-limited environments.

RPP309 Prehospital Ultrasound for Resource-limited Environments

This course you will develop the fundamental skills of the use of ultrasound in resource-limited environments including; patient care and communication; technical skills and the scanning and use of equipment.

RPP310 Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals

This module is designed to engage the student in entry level research in an associated field. The purpose of this module is to introduce the student to research methodologies, including but not limited to sourcing of academic information, peer reviewing articles, assessing bias, impact factors, the applicability of the research to their academic research and the importance of referencing in relation to plagiarism.

RPP311 Practicum III

This module aims to build on the concepts of assessing and managing a patient in the remote out-of-hospital environment found in RPP210. It will provide students with advanced knowledge, understanding and skills to undertake preliminary patient assessment and treatment, and will introduce them to the range of management options available for paramedics within a defined range of situations. This knowledge, and the skills gained during the module, will directly assist them in preparing for their placement modules.

RPP312 Dissertation

This module is designed to give students the skills required to prepare and submit for presentation, a minor dissertation on a subject pertaining to pre hospital, austere or remote medical or trauma care. This module is designed to engage the student in entry level research in an associated field. The minor dissertation will be conducted under supervision of an experienced, published, academic supervisor. It will also serve to introduce the student to academic writing, referencing, and to secure a knowledge of the rigors of academic writing and plagiarism.