The importance of non-clinical skills

During the first 2 years of my BSc degree, I was taught the clinical skills needed to become a paramedic. I completed modules on anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, mental health and urgent and emergency care, alongside many others. All the technical skills, like cannulation, airway management and advanced life support, were taught at the beginning of second year so that I could practise these skills throughout my placement, blocks both with South Central Ambulance Service and in my hospital placements.

The purpose of the third and final year of my degree is to develop non-clinical skills in leadership, management and education, while refining clinical skills on placement so that I can be signed off as an independent clinician. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect this year because the thought of performing a literature review in order to write my dissertation was daunting and I didn't know much about the contents of some of this year's modules.