Course Details Anchor Navigation

Back to course finder

Overview

Course Duration

1 year 6 months

Type of course

Full-time

Campus where course is offered

ITE College East

Course Certification

Higher Nitec

So that lives could be saved!

If making critical decisions and working in an adrenaline rush environment excites you, consider a profession in pre-hospital emergency care! As a paramedic, you are the crew leader in the ambulance. You are responsible to lead the team to provide quality medical care in the pre-hospital setting.

The course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to perform as a paramedic in the emergency ambulance. You will learn essential skills such as patient assessment and management of various conditions in the pre-hospital setting such as heart attacks, breathing difficulties, cardiac arrest and emergency childbirth.

Note: All students in this course are required to participate in a Group Hospitalisation and Surgical Insurance [GHSI(Healthcare)] scheme which provides coverage for hospitalisation expenses plus an outpatient rider for clinical attachments.

What you'll learn

  • Maintain operational readiness of workstation
  • Provide quality service
  • Manage pre-hospital emergencies
  • Manage special population groups
  • Manage special situations

Entry Requirements

GCE ‘O’ Level passes in English Language, Mathematics and 1 other subject:

  • Grade 1-8 in English Language
  • Grade 1-7 Mathematics (Elementary or Additional)
  • Grade 1-8 in one other subject

(To be eligible for selection, you must have completed the Emergency Medical Technician course/Medical Orderly/Combat Medic Specialist course administered by SCDF or SAF or the WSQ Higher Certificate in Healthcare Support (PHEMS) or Emergency Medical Technician course approved by MOH*, and possess minimum 1 year relevant work experience in emergency pre-hospital setting.

* The list of EMT course approved by MOH is available at https://www.moh.gov.sg. To access the list:

  • Click on 'For Healthcare Professionals' followed by 'Licensing and Regulation'
  • Under 'Essential Info' section, click on 'Regulations, Guidelines & Circulars'
  • Enter 'MOH Standards for Emergency Ambulance Service' as keywords and perform a search for the latest copy of this document
  • Refer to 'List of Approved EMT and Paramedic Courses' in document.)

or

Nitec GPA:
Nitec in Nursing with minimum GPA of 2.3 (inclusive of CCA bonus points)

 

Notes:

  • Applicants applying for this course must ensure that they are free from colour appreciation deficiency.
  • Applicants must undergo an admission interview.
  • Applicants must pass a pre-admission medical examination.
  • Students will be required to purchase a Laptop for the course. This is in addition to the course fees. Financial assistance is available to eligible students under ITE Opportunity Fund subject to terms and conditions. For more details on the minimum laptop specifications, please click here.

 

Occupation Traits and Functional Ability Requirements

Nature of Work Functional Abilities

Paramedics are employed in both public sectors and private sector companies to provide patient care in the pre-hospital settings.

Most paramedics operate as crew leaders in the ambulances. They will be required to lead a team comprising of a medic and a driver. Paramedics are expected to perform shift work with relative long shift hours. They are also expected to perform their duties on weekends and public holidays if they are rostered for duties.

Paramedics are required to take charge and deals with dynamic situations that might arise in their line of work. They are required to operate under all weather conditions and terrains. As the first responders at scene, they would be exposed to gore and blood during their line of work.

Paramedics are expected to manage their patients based on their independent assessment. They are often required to perform a range of procedures in the management of the patient that require both gross and fine psychomotor skills. In addition, they need to be physically fit as they might be required to carry patients in some situations.

ability to work long hours and under time constraints

physical mobility, mental agility, ability to react quickly, attentiveness to safety, dealing with non-routine situations

ability to show empathy, fine and gross psychomotor skills, sensory (visual, hearing) ability, communication skills, interaction with strangers,

This course is less suitable for students who do not possess the functional abilities indicated. If in doubt, please consult your school career guidance officer or visit ITE College East for further academic advising.

Progression Opportunities

Higher Nitec in Paramedic & Emergency Care graduates may apply for progression to the following Work-Study Diploma courses at ITE:


Higher Nitec in Paramedic & Emergency Care graduates with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 and above may apply for progression to the first year of a related diploma course at the Polytechnics. For more details on diploma courses for progression, please refer to the Joint Polytechnic Admissions website.

Career Opportunities

Higher Nitec in Paramedic & Emergency Care graduates are employed as paramedics by ambulance service providers such as Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and private ambulance operators. They can also be employed to assume various roles such as trainers and emergency response medics.