Upcoming Courses

Click this link to view our “BOOK A COURSE” page to see our upcoming training schedule and to book a slot onto one of our courses with only a 25% deposit (non-refundable).

If a course you wish to attend is not scheduled or the dates do not suit you or your organisation’s needs, please feel free to contact us to arrange alternative dates via our “CONTACT US” page and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

NB: all our courses require a minimum of 6 attendees.

Please only use this page to make a course booking if you are bulk booking for multiple people. Please use our “BOOK A COURSE” page via the link above to book course for individuals.

Intended Audience

The regulated and nationally recognised Level 5 Diploma in First Response Emergency and Urgent Care (RQF) is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) qualification designed for those with a valid FREC 4 certificate who wish to operate as an EMT in a range of Pre-Hospital Emergency and Urgent Care settings including but not limited to close protection, event medical cover, off shore medic roles, expedition medic roles, private ambulance transfer and/or private 999 frontline response.

For those wishing to join an NHS ambulance service FREUC 5 is still an excellent course to attend as we can offer a 10-day FREUC 5 to L4 AAP conversion course and you will gain the benefit of training among the cognitive diversity and networking opportunities provided by the wide variety of personnel completing FREUC 5 to work as an EMT in non-NHS specific environments.

Overview

The Level 5 Diploma in First Response Emergency and Urgent Care (RQF) (FREUC5) is delivered by K2 International at our training centre in Randalstown, NI by experienced and currently operational Paramedics, Specialist Paramedics and/or Doctors over 20 days Monday to Friday followed by 750 hours placement which each learner has 24 months to complete. The course will run in 5 day increments 1 week per month. Learners may commence placement immediately even before finishing the theory element of the course as they will already be qualified ECAs. However, the course can be run 4 weeks in a row for groups of 6 or more.

At this time, FREUC 5 will be delivered jointly by Iqarus International and K2 International until such time as K2 International gains independent approval to deliver FREUC 5.

Placement Options

All learners must complete 750 hours clinical practice placement under the direct supervision of a qualified clinician. This can be paid or voluntary.

For paid placement, we recommend gaining employment with a private ambulance provider who provide 999 frontline emergency response services to a statutory NHS ambulance service (UK mainland only) as an Emergency Care Assistant (ECA). This can be on a full-time, part-time or zero hours basis. As FREC 4 is an entry requirement for FREUC 5 all learners will be pre-qualified as an ECA and therefore will be able to apply for these posts upon successful completion of a blue light qualification in addition to your FREC 4 qualification.

At K2 International we recommend SCT NI who can provide the Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving (CERAD) for £2995 plus VAT (0% monthly payments available). Check out their website for more details: https://sctni.co.uk/faq-level-3-certificate-in-emergency-response-ambulance-driving-rqf/

NB: Each learner is entirely responsible for funding their Level 3 CERAD if they choose the paid placement option pathway.

Alternatively, candidates could choose to do their placement hours with our partner agency Global Medical Projects (GMP). GMP can offer frontline ambulance and Emergency Department (ED) placements without the need for L3 CERAD in several countries around the world. Two of our instructors have availed of their placement opportunities in Guadalajara, Mexico and can highly recommend this pathway. Check out their website for more details: https://www.globalmedicalprojects.co.uk/projects/paramedic-emergency-medicine-placements/

NB: Each learner is entirely responsible for funding the cost of their voluntary placement including GMPs fees (which include placement, mentorship, food and accomodation) and travel expenses to and from the placement area of their choice.

All learners must complete a minimum of 750 hours clinical placement under the direct supervision of a qualified clinician. The following clinical settings and associated placement hours are approved by the awarding organisation:

• Frontline Emergency Ambulance - 400 hours MINIMUM

• Any frontline response provider within or acting on behalf of the NHS, MOD or a local CCG. This can be with the NHS or a private provider and can be completed in any country with a recognised healthcare governance system in place.

• In-Hospital Departments - 48 Hours MAXIMUM (Cumulative)

• Emergency Departments (Minors);

• Acute Medical Assessment Wards;

• High Dependency Units.

• International Emergency and/or Urgent Care Services - 48 Hours MAXIMUM (Cumulative)

• Emergency Departments (Minors or Majors);

• Acute Medical Assessment Wards;

• High Dependency Units.

• Primary Unscheduled Urgent and Emergency Care - 200 Hours MAXIMUM (Cumulative)

• Emergency Departments (Majors);

• GP Surgery

• Minor Injury Units

• Specialists Services - 96 Hours MAXIMUM (Cumulative)

• Obstetrics and Gynaecology

• Coronary Care Units;

• Theatres;

• Geriatric Units;

• End of Life units/Teams.

NB: Some of these non-frontline ambulance placements can be sourced in Northern Ireland by speaking to your local trusts placement co-ordinator via their respective Clinical Education Centre. This is the responsibility of the learner but our faculty can provide advice on how to do this.

Assessment Methods

• Practical assessments/skills tests – observed by the trainer

  • 7x Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)

  • 1x Skill Test

• Theory assessments

  • 1x Learner workbook

  • 2x Invigilated exams

  • 1x Professional practice portfolio

  • 1x Academic portfolio

  • 1x Practice Assessment Document (PAD)

FREUC 5 FAQs

1. Question: What credentials/clinical grade does successful completion of FREUC 5 entitle me to?

   Answer: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

2. Question: What is the difference between a FREUC 5 and and AAP qualified EMT?

   Answer: Both qualifications entitle the successful candidate to operate as an EMT, however an AAP is an ‘ambulance specific EMT’ and therefore has additional training related to 999 frontline NHS practice. This is why most UK ambulance services ask for AAP as opposed to FREUC 5 as there are additional processes an NHS EMT must be trained such as datix reporting, safeguarding processes and more. FREUC 5 on the other hand, whilst still an EMT, does not necessarily need to be formally trained and assessed in these additional soft skills as they operate in different clinical environments.

3. Question: How long is the FREUC 5 course?

   Answer: 20 days in classroom total, followed by 750 placement hours, a workbook and practice portfolio all of which each learner has up to 24 months to complete.

4. Question: Is there a FREUC 5 to AAP conversion course?

   Answer: Yes, here at K2 International we can offer a 2 week (10-day) conversion course for anyone with a current FREUC 5 certificate to convert to L4 AAP if they wish to join an NHS ambulance service.

5. Question: Which course should I attend? FREUC 5 or L4 AAP?

   Answer: If you wish to join an NHS ambulance service, then you should complete L4 AAP. NB: Due to the nature of our client base, we recommend completing FREUC 5 with us first, then the L4 AAP conversion course. This allows learners who wish to become an EMT but not join the NHS to exit after FREUC 5 completion, then anyone wishing to join an NHS ambulance service can convert to AAP with us.

6. Question: Does K2 International arrange the placement hours for FREUC 5?

   Answer: No, whilst K2 International has a memorandum of understanding in place with a voluntary placement provider and a private ambulance service, it is the responsibility of the learner to approach the placement provider and arrange payment for the voluntary placement and/or arrange interviews and other compliance requirements needed for paid placement (for this option, the learner is in effect becoming an employee of that company).

7. Question: Does K2 International cover any costs associated with the placement hours?

   Answer: No, the course fees only cover tuition, relevant assessments (including background check and occupational health review) and learning materials related to the theory component of FREUC 5. Each learner is responsible for all of the costs and administration associated with attending placement hours, either paid or voluntary. This may include travel costs, accomodation and blue lights certification.

8. Question: Does K2 International guarantee employment as an EMT once the learner has successfully completed FREUC 5?

   Answer: No, K2 International acts as a training provider of FREUC 5 only and therefore we do not guarantee any form of employment post course. However, EMTs are a highly sought after profession and thus there are many employment opportunities across NI, the UK and around the world which our graduates can apply for once they have completed the course.

9. Question: What are the entry requirements for FRUEC 5?

   Answer: Each potential FREUC 5 learner must posses a valid FREC 4 certificate, an enhanced background check which does not bar work with vulnerable people and an occupational health review which does not advise against EMT duties (occupational health review and background checks included in the the course fee and are therefore arranged by K2 International).

10. Question: Does the price for FREUC 5 include blue light training?

    Answer: No, this is a separate course. We recommend SCT NI who can provide the Level 3 Certificate in Emergency Response Ambulance Driving qualification at locations across NI. See their website for more details: https://sctni.co.uk/faq-level-3-certificate-in-emergency-response-ambulance-driving-rqf/