Zachary Griffiths is studying the first year of an honours degree in paramedic science at Swansea University after leaving Coleg Sir Gâr with an extended diploma in health and social care. 

He returned to college to talk to current students where he explained how some of the modules on the course better prepared him for the degree than many of his student cohort. 

Zach left college with an A* AA profile grade but it wasn’t all plain sailing. 

When he first started college, Zach explained that he didn’t yet have a clear career goal in mind, which affected his motivation and his coursework.

With the support of the health and social care team, he turned himself around, set his sights on being a paramedic and was achieving top marks. 

Now, he’s combining theory with practical work learning about trauma, mobilisation, pharmacology, interpreting ECGs and everything surrounding emergency and critical care.

Zach explained the selection process for studying paramedic science and how competitive it is with around 60 people being selected from around 1,350 applications but that it shouldn’t put anyone off if that is their passion. 

He also explained that it’s not just about qualifications, some of the personal attributes highly sought in this role are communication, teamwork and accountability. The application process involves a lot of scenario work which tests these skills.

Addressing current students, Zach said: “This is the best course you can be on to transfer to paramedic science and I had such a head start because of it. 

“Over half of my student cohort have come from level three diploma health and social care courses.

“There are modules on this course including anatomy and physiology, care across lifespan, law and ethics that will give you a head start in the degree that some other courses don’t offer.”

Zach has done so many practical placements including two weeks in the emergency call centre, working with NEPTS (Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services) and will be rotating between other healthcare services including theatre, maternity, palliative care and cardiac. 

He also explained how funding works, what is expected as a student, the support available and the options of career outcomes following the degree. 

Paramedic training is funded by HEIW with an option of applying for an NHS bursary. 

Some of the modules you will study on the Extended Diploma (level three) Health and Social Care course

• Factors affecting individuals’ growth and development across the lifespan
• Understanding how the human body is affected by common conditions.
• Principles of care and safe practice within outcome focused person-centred care.
• Anatomy and physiology
• Supporting the health and wellbeing of adults in Wales.
• Promoting the rights of individuals across the lifespan.
• Supporting the individuals at risk to achieve their desired outcomes.
• Working in the health and social care sector
• Investigating contemporary issues in health and social care Wales.