First and Emergency Aid

What Is the First and Emergency Aid Program?

The First and Emergency Aid Program is a two-year associate degree program designed to educate healthcare professionals who can effectively provide pre-hospital emergency medical services.

History

The First and Emergency Aid Program was established at Üsküdar University in 2013 and admitted its first cohort of students during the 2013–2014 academic year.

Admission Requirements

Students are admitted through Türkiye's centralized Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) based on their Basic Proficiency Test (TYT) scores. After submitting their program preferences, candidates are placed into programs by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) according to their examination results.

Program Objectives

The program aims to educate qualified healthcare professionals who are able to:

• Provide basic and advanced life support to patients and injured individuals during illness or accidents.
• Perform emergency medical interventions in cases involving trauma and other emergency situations.
• Ensure the safe transportation of patients and injured individuals to healthcare facilities.
• Communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals and relevant personnel during emergencies while working efficiently as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Identify professional problems and develop appropriate solutions.
• Adopt a contemporary and patient-centered approach to healthcare.
• Prioritize ethical principles in professional practice.
• Keep up with scientific and technological advancements.
• Possess the knowledge and practical skills required for emergency medical services.

Program Goals

The program seeks to:

• Educate qualified emergency medical professionals who are ethical, contemporary, patient-centered, and proficient in science and technology.
• Deliver dynamic, sustainable, and technology-oriented education in accordance with the Bologna Process.
• Develop graduates who are quality-oriented, innovative, collaborative, team-focused, participatory, and capable of generating solutions to healthcare, social, and environmental challenges while contributing to societal development.
• Prepare professionals who meet international standards of competence in the field of emergency medical services.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate fundamental, up-to-date, and practical professional knowledge.
• Understand occupational health and safety, environmental awareness, and quality management processes.
• Follow and effectively apply current developments and practices in the profession.
• Use information technologies, including software, specialized programs, and digital tools relevant to the profession.
• Analyze professional issues independently using analytical and critical thinking skills and propose appropriate solutions.
• Communicate knowledge and ideas effectively through both written and verbal communication.
• Assume responsibility as a team member in solving complex and unforeseen problems encountered in professional practice.
• Demonstrate awareness of career management and lifelong learning.
• Adhere to scientific, ethical, cultural, and social values when collecting, implementing, and disseminating professional data.
• Use Turkish and a foreign language to follow developments in the field and communicate with colleagues.
• Explain and perform both basic and advanced life support procedures.
• Identify and operate the equipment used in emergency medical services.
• Ensure and manage the safety of themselves, the patient, and the emergency scene during service delivery.
• Explain the legal regulations governing emergency medical services.

Bachelor's Degree Programs Available Through the Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS)

• Emergency Aid and Disaster Management
• Nursing
• Health Management
• Social Work
• Double Major (ÇAP) Opportunities
• Emergency and Disaster Management
• Operating Room Services
• Anesthesia

Graduation Requirements

Students are eligible for graduation upon successfully completing a total of 120 ECTS credits, including all required and elective courses specified in the curriculum, and achieving a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Degree Awarded

Students who successfully complete the program and fulfill all program learning outcomes are awarded an Associate Degree in First and Emergency Aid.

Career Opportunities After Graduation

Graduates receive the professional title of Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic).

Paramedics may work in:

• Hospital emergency departments
• 112 Emergency Call Centers and ambulance stations
• Ground ambulance services
• Other pre-hospital emergency medical service units

The regulations issued by the Turkish Ministry of Health governing emergency departments, 112 Emergency Medical Services, and ambulance operations include legal provisions that specifically require the employment of graduates of the First and Emergency Aid Program in these positions.