Health and Social Care

If you’d like to train as a paramedic or health professional, but lack the necessary qualifications, this could be the course for you.

Access to Health and Paramedics is part of the Scottish Widening Access Programme (SWAP). It is specifically for adults with life experience who have been out of full-time education for at least 5 years, who have little or no qualifications, and wish to progress to advanced level study in health or paramedics at college or university level.

This programme will be demanding, and applicants should be ready to commit and study at a high level. You will however work with staff and other students to develop the skills and confidence to be successful, and will benefit from the mutual support in the classroom environment.

For entry to this course you’ll need:

• a real interest in working with people
• a comprehensive personal statement in your application which must include the following: - why you wish to study the Access to Health and Paramedic course ; details of any voluntary or work experience that are relevant to this programme ; and the skills, characteristics, and qualities you have that would make you a good candidate for this programme
• an interest and commitment to studying science based topics
• an interview with us during which you will complete a short written activity
• a satisfactory reference
• applicants whose first language is not English should have a minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for level 5 courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for SCQF level 6 and HNC/D courses
• although this course does not include a work placement you should be aware that you will be asked to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and be occupationally fit for practice on all care courses at college and university that include a placement.

Subjects you will study are: Human Body; Human Development and Behaviour; Social Influences; Numeracy; Foundations of Care Practice; First Aid; Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness; Caring for People with Dementia; Substance Use and Misuse; Communication; Health, Safety and Protection Issues ; Physiology and Health ; Human Cells; Neurobiology and Immunology; and Preparation for HE

During the programme you will have the opportunity to apply for the BSc Paramedic Science Degree at universities in Scotland. These degrees are competitive, and you will be given support with your application, and with progressing to other opportunities in the health care sector. Successful students may also progress onto HNC Healthcare Practice, HNC Social Services, or HNC Counselling.

You will develop the caring skills and qualities essential for working in health care. Some examples of skills include:

Communications skills

Employability skills such as timekeeping and being able to use your own initiative

Digital skills which are becoming essential to work and home life.

Leadership and team working skills.

Paramedic | NHSScotland Careers

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