Pre-Paramedic Fire & Ambulance Service
Is this course for you?
Can you see yourself as a Fire Officer, Paramedic, Garda, or Officer in the Defence Forces? Are you calm, work well under pressure and want to help people? Do you want to work in a caring environment? Are you currently a member of a voluntary organisation and enjoy the experience? Or would you like to progress to study for a degree? Yes? Then an exciting and challenging career in the Emergency Services may be for you. This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to embark on a successful career in this field.
| Award Name | Emergency First Response |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | PreHospital Emergency Care Council |
| NFQ Level | |
| Award Name | Emergency Medical Technician EMT |
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | PreHospital Emergency Care Council |
| NFQ Level | |
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency First Response | PreHospital Emergency Care Council | ||
| Emergency Medical Technician EMT | PreHospital Emergency Care Council | ||
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year full-time. 5 days per week.
Entry Requirements
• You must have achieved 5 passes or 5 O6/ H7s or a combination of 5 O6/H7s or have achieved the LCA with a Merit profile, or have achieved a full relevant QQI Level 4 Award.
• Mature applicants (aged 21 and over) and other applicants without the formal entry requirements will be assessed individually for suitability.
Before starting the course, it is advisable to become a member of one of the voluntary organisations such as The Order of Malta, St. John Ambulance or The Civil Defence. You should work towards obtaining a Driving Licence as this will enhance your employment prospects.
Careers / Further progression
Progression To Further Studies
If you want to get a degree, then this course opens up a range of progression routes both in the UK and in Ireland.
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science
Anglia Ruskin University London (Cambridge and Chelmsford) - www.anglia.ac.uk/fms
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science & Out of Hospital Care
University of Sunderland - www.sunderland.ac.uk
You may also apply through the CAO system for entry into degree courses in the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme such as:
BA Applied Social Studies in Social Care
Technological University Dublin [Blanchardstown] - www.tudublin.ie
BA (Hons) in Sports Science & Health
Technological University Dublin [Tallaght] - www.tudublin.ie
Check out more progression options by downloading the BFEI Progression Pathways Chart at www.bfei.ie/faqs (under progression)
Job Opportunities:
Graduates are pursuing careers in a range of areas including:
• The Public Sector – Dublin Fire Brigade & HSE Ambulance Service*
• Private Ambulance Services
• Dublin Airport Fire Service
• London Ambulance Service NHS
• Care/Nursing Homes
* The HSE recognise the BFEI Level 5 course as the equivalent of 2 years full-time Ambulance Service experience at EMT Level.
Further information
Classes will commence in mid-September 2024.
Course Registration takes place in late August.
You will be invited to the College to attend an induction session prior to class commencement.
Non-EU Citizens
If you are a non-EU National, then you should be in compliance with Irish Visa requirements in advance of applying to BFEI.
Application is free! Once you have been offered a place on your chosen course, you will have to pay an acceptance fee of €50 to confirm that you are accepting the place. It is advisable to apply early as many courses fill up quickly. Other costs (books, kits, optional training etc) vary depending on the course you choose. Specific details regarding costs will be confirmed prior to course commencement
At BFEI, we make every effort to keep charges to a minimum. Information on financial support and eligibility for funding is available from www.studentfinance.ie.
Funding
PLC Maintenance Grant Scheme
The Department of Education and Skills (DES) provides a means-tested maintenance grant scheme for those attending full-time further education courses. Applications are made on-line to SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) at www.susi.ie.
BTEA (Back to Education Allowance)
If you are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, ten under the BTEA you may be able to keep your payments while doing a full-time course at BFEI.
See www.welfare.ie or www.studentfinance.ie for further details or ask at the local Department of Social Protection Office.
VTOS (Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme)
If you are unemployed and over 21, then under VTOS, you will be able to do a full-time course at BFEI and retain your social welfare entitlements. VTOS applies to all courses on offer in the Institute, however, early application is advisable as there are a limited number of places which are allocated on a first-come basis. See www.welfare.ie or www.studentfinance.ie for further details on eligibility or ask at the local Department of Social Protection Office. VTOS Application Forms are available from the Institute - see www.bfei.ie
Other Funding Sources
Local Partnerships including Southside, Bray, Northside, and Wicklow Working Together may be able to help you out with some funding if you are experiencing financial difficulties. Ask at your Local Partnership Office.
For September 2024 Intake BFEI is open for applications from Wednesday January 10th 2024. All applications must be made via our website (www.bfei.ie). - View Application Weblink above.
Application is free! Once you have been offered a place on your chosen course, you will have to pay an acceptance fee of €50 to confirm that you are accepting the place. (non-refundable)
What will I study?
• Emergency Department Care Skills (EDCS)
and First Aid Responder (FAR)
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Safety and Health at Work
• Exercise and Fitness
• Statistics
• Word Processing
• Communications
• Work Experience
Optional Training*
• Fire Warden (Fire Safety and Fire Extinguisher Training)
• Breathing Apparatus
• Hazardous Substances
• Manual Handling
• Safe Pass
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) Courses*
• Emergency First Response (EFR) incorporating Defibrillator Training
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
*Optional Training Courses are delivered in conjunction with an external provider, currently the Emergency Services Training Institute, and will incur additional costs and take place during term breaks. EMT training starts in June with final exams in September/October.
Will I do anything additional on the course?
• You will be trained in the use of the new LUCAS Chest Compression Device which is used extensively by the National Ambulance Service.
• You will participate in training for mass casualty incidents in a joint initiative between Dublin Fire Brigade and An Garda Síochána.
• Career advice and help with CV preparation is provided by the Guidance and Career Service.
• ESTI Careers Day.
Assessment is based on a combination of assignments and exams.
5M4468 - Community Health Services.
What qualifications will I get when I finish the course?
You will be awarded a QQI Level 5 Certificate in Community Health Services (5M4468).
Blackrock Further Education Institute BFEI
Main Street
Blackrock
Co Dublin
Tel: 01 288 9717
email: office@bfei.ie
Web: www.bfei.ie