Hems Crew Training Course

UK HEMS HELICOPTER CREW COURSE (HCC)

Introduction

This innovative multidisciplinary course takes experienced practitioners and introduces them to the skills required to be effective medical air crew, in the helicopter environment. It is suitable for doctors who wish to improve their effectiveness as pre hospital care practitioners, and for paramedics who wish to improve their skills, especially with regards to team working with doctors as part of a team. Other pre hospital carers (eg nurses, ODPs and military personnel) will also find it of use.

It is presented in 3 one week modules, which are designed to be taken sequentially, however they can be taken separately if required.

Airmanship and Aviation for the HEMS Practitioner

Based at Durham Tees Valley Airport, this module aims to get the practitioner to the standard required of ‘Crew other than flight crew’, as defined by JAR(ops) 3. A series of tutorials provide the theory, but there is ample chance to put these into practice with actual flying sessions. All participants will be given the opportunity to undertake underwater escape drill instructor – the ‘Dunker Tank’.

AREAS COVERED

• Principles of Flight and Basic Mechanics
• Crew Resource Management
• Navigation
• Metrology
• Radio Use
• Helicopter Underwater Escape Tank (HUET) Drills


ASSESSMENT

• Written short answer paper*
• HUET pass / fail*
• Practical navigation exercise in a helicopter

NOTE: this module meets the requirements for JAR(ops) 3, but individual aircraft operators may require crews to undertake further training.


Clinical Skills for the Pre-Hospital Practitioner

This module takes place at the Royal London Hospital – home of London HEMS. A nationally recognised faculty will present evidence based operating procedures, as ratified by the UK HEMS Nation Clinical Advisory Group.

Generally taught as tutorials in the morning, with practical sessions in the afternoon, this module will put hospital practice into context in the pre hospital environment, and also advance the skills of paramedics.

AREAS COVERED

• Anaesthesia and Critical Care in the field
• Management of major trauma
• Fluid therapy
• Splintage, spinal immobilisation and packaging
• Maxillo facial trauma
• Burn management
• Major Incident Command
• Medical emergencies
• Trauma systems
• Human factors in pre hospital medicine

ASSESSMENT

Daily scenario based teaching will provide continual assessment, culminating in a final MCQ*.


Multi Disciplinary working in the HEMS environment

This module is based at the Great North Air Ambulance Headquarters in Darlington, but does use several different centres during the week. It uses a multi disciplinary faculty of fire service, police, ambulance and rescue instructors to equip the participants with the skills needed to be an effective member of an out of hospital incident team.

AREAS COVERED

• Extrication from vehicles
• Basic fire fighting
• Confined space rescue
• Major Incident (including CBRN) Management
• Firearms operations
• Mountain rescue
• Media Awareness

ASSESSMENT

A final moulage*, using skills taught in all modules of the course and a 20 minute presentation* on an aspect of pre hospital care.

NOTES
Pre Course Material

All participants will be sent a comprehensive manual 1 month before the course start date, together with an administrative instruction for the conduct of the course.

Location and Accommodation

To ensure a first rate faculty is always available to each on the course, modules may be held different locations, these will be confirmed with the pre course letter. Accommodation is not provided, but a list of nearby hotels can be sent on request. Food as appropriate to the study hours will be provided.

Accreditation

This course has been accredited by the University of Teesside, and 60 credits towards a BSc are given on completion of all 3 modules. There is no additional cost for these credits, although the remaining ‘top up’ credits may be charged for by the University.

NOTE: the assessments marked * are required for University credits and all 3 modules will need to be undertaken.

HOW DO I GET ON A COURSE?

The course dates for 2010 are:

 

 

 

Airmanship & Aviation

 

 

12 April 2010

 

20 October 2010

 

Clinical Skills in the HEMS Environment for Practitioners

 

 

19 April 2010

 

27 October 2010

 

Multi Disciplinary working in the HEMS Environment

 

 

26 April 2010

 

4 November 2010

You should note that to practice independently you should have a professional medical qualification, and to get the most from this course you should have some pre hospital experience.


The faculty reserves the right to exclude a failing participant from the course if they are using undue teaching time, no refund will be possible in this eventuality.


The fees for 2010 are £5000 (tbc) for all 3 modules, which reflects the highly practical nature of the course. This is payable at least 6 weeks in advance (to allow the pre course material to be sent out). It is fully refundable until 6 weeks prior to the course start, after which no refunds will be given as the faculty will have been booked.  If you are joining a HEMS unit they may have specific funding arrangements.

Download an Application Form here

 

PRE-HOSPITAL ANAESTHESIA (PHA) COURSE

This highly practical two-day course has been developed by an experienced faculty to equip participants to safely anaesthetise a patient in the field and transport them to hospital.

It has been running since 2007, and was the first of its type in the UK. It makes use of small session teaching to provide the theory, workstations to enhance the practice and a series of scenarios (which build in complexity), to assure the procedures. The final series of scenarios take place outside.

The course is based on experiences gained at the Great North Air Ambulance, and will teach the Standard Operating Procedures used there, as these have stood the test of time. 

The Faculty

Consisting of paramedics and doctors, an experienced faculty will teach on every course. They will all be practitioners who provide pre hospital anaesthesia on a regular basis and are skilled teachers. A high student teacher ration is maintained to maximise benefit, and a mentoring system is used.

Who should come on this course?

Doctors who wish to safely deliver anaesthesia in the field

Paramedics who wish to be part of a multidisciplinary team providing out of hospital anaesthesia

Other personnel who may be part of the pre hospital trauma team.

All participants will work interchangeably during the course to become conversant with each other’s roles.

The course is open to all, but to gain maximal benefit it is suggested that doctors should have at least 6 months anaesthetic experience and paramedics should have been qualified for 2 years.

How much does it cost?

£400 for doctors, £150 for paramedics – this includes pre course reading and the 2 day course.

NOTE: buffet or packed lunch will be provided on both days. Accommodation is not provided, but a list of nearby hotels can be sent on request.

Course fees are payable in full 8 weeks prior to the start date (to allow pre course reading to be sent out).

A 25% deposit is required to secure a place.

A full refund (less £30 admin charge) will be given if at least 6 weeks notice is given. After this time, refunds can only be given if another person can be found to fill your place.

What else should I know?

The course is highly practical, and will involve scenarios based outside whatever the weather. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring and use their own. Boots are not provided, and it is suggested should have steel toecaps.

Some courses are based at Durham Tees Valley Airport, to gain access you will need to pass through security. The same regulations as flying passengers will be in force and you will need government issued Identity Cards (e.g. passport).

How do I get on a course?

The next courses are:

Friday 12 & Saturday 13 March 2010
Friday   9 & Saturday 10 July 2010
Friday 15 & Saturday 16 October 2010


Download an Application Form here

Note this is a heavily over subscribed course – we do however run a reserve list, please indicate if you wish to be put on the course


NOTE: This course will develop existing skills, to give confidence in practising the technique. It will not give you a licence to practice.

Comments from previous course participants:


• “Excellent course, well presented, good environment, faculty easy to approach”

• “I came hoping for a good course and left after an excellent one”

• “Excellent experience gained from course.  All Instructors have excellent knowledge and relaxed and informative teaching styles”

 

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