BioGrad Education’s Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine is an intensive, hands-on course designed to give students early exposure to essential emergency medical skills. This comprehensive course covers fundamental techniques in emergency assessment, trauma care, and life support, preparing students for fast-paced, critical environments. Delivered by real doctors and clinicians, this course provides a unique opportunity for participants to gain practical experience and foundational knowledge in emergency medicine.

The course covers a range of topics and techniques within the exciting field of emergency medicine, providing experience in basic & advanced life support, cannulation, suturing, casting broken bones and more. Sessions are led by our highly skilled and experienced clinicians, there to help students develop their understanding of emergency medicine and explore the plethora of opportunities available within the world of medicine.

The Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine course runs from 9:30am – 4pm for 5 consecutive days from BioGrad Education’s clinical training facilities in Liverpool. We teach at a low student to tutor ratio (10:1) ensuring that students are closely supervised and encouraged at all times throughout their course. All students receive their own scrubs and stethoscope to use during the week and take home with them!

All our 5-day courses for 16-19 year olds can be used as your Gold DofE Residential! We will also take photos of you during your time in the clinics which will be sent to you upon completion, you can use these to begin building your LinkedIn presence and demonstrate your passion for medicine (this is looked upon incredibly favourably by medical schools!). You can opt for a personalised reference written by our senior doctors to be sent to a member of staff at your school/college, this can be used to support your UCAS application.

This course is ideal for students aged 16-19 with an interest in healthcare, emergency medicine, or pre-hospital care, providing excellent hands on experience for those considering careers in medicine, nursing, or paramedicine. Experience gained and skills learnt act as highly valuable points of reference during medical school and university applications and interviews.

Prepare to gain confidence, skills, and insights in a challenging yet rewarding environment, where every moment counts. Join us for an unparalleled introduction to pre-hospital emergency medicine!

Day 1: Basic and Advanced Life Support

Following introductions to other students and lecturers, all students are given their own scrubs and stethoscope. Begin the week by gaining essential skills in lifesaving techniques, including Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS). Learn to use defibrillators effectively and master airway and spine management techniques. Through hands-on practice, students develop confidence in handling emergency scenarios.

Skills Covered:

• Basic and Advanced Life Support (BLS/ALS)
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Defibrillation Techniques
• Airway Management
• Spine Management

Day 2: Venesection and Arterial Blood Gas Analysis

After an introduction to different blood tests and indications for carrying them out, students practice venesection (taking blood) using our medical phlebotomy training arms as well as using ultrasound to locate veins. This day also delves into arterial blood gas (ABG) procedures and interpreting ABG results, an essential skill in assessing a patient’s respiratory and metabolic status in critical situations.

Skills Covered:

• Venesection Techniques
• Ultrasound Guidance for Vein Location
• Arterial Blood Gas Sampling and Interpretation

Day 3: Cannulation and Trauma Management

Students learn about different routes via which medications may be administered and develop practical skills in intravenous (IV) cannulation for fluid administration, plus intraosseous (IO) cannulation, crucial for when (IV) access is compromised. Learn the structured ABCDE approach to assess critically ill patients and explore techniques for imaging and managing penetrating trauma.

Skills Covered:

• Intravenous (IO) and Intraosseous (IO) Cannulation
• ABCDE Patient Assessment Framework
• Trauma Imaging and Management

Day 4: Emergency Department Presentations and Suturing

Exploring common emergency department presentations, including acute abdominal trauma, infections, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI), students learn how to assess and manage these conditions effectively. This day also includes a suturing workshop focused on managing minor lacerations, utilising synthetic and porcine skin with techniques also applicable to minor surgeries.

Skills Covered:

• Assessing and Managing Acute Medical Presentations
• OSCE Style Abdominal Examinations
• Suturing Techniques for Minor Lacerations

Day 5: Fracture Diagnosis and Management

Students master how to describe, diagnose, and manage bone fractures, including plaster casting techniques! The course concludes with ABCDE assessment presentations, allowing students to consolidate and demonstrate their knowledge and skills gained throughout the week, with the aim of managing the situation calmly and effectively and saving the patient.

Skills Covered:

• Fracture Diagnosis and Management
• Plaster Casting for Fracture Stabilization
• ABCDE Assessment Presentation and Knowledge Review

During this 5-day course, students gain practical experience and learn skills beneficial for medical school applications including:

• Basic and Advanced Life Support (BLS/ALS)
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Defibrillation Techniques
• Airway Management
• Spine Management
• Venesection Techniques
• Ultrasound Guidance for Vein Location
• Arterial Blood Gas Sampling and Interpretation
• Intravenous (IO) and Intraosseous (IO) Cannulation
• ABCDE Patient Assessment Framework
• Trauma Imaging and Management
• Assessing and Managing Acute Medical Presentations
• OSCE Style Abdominal Examinations
• Suturing Techniques for Minor Lacerations
• Fracture Diagnosis and Management
• Plaster Casting for Fracture Stabilization

Time is given throughout the course for students to gain a proper understanding of the skills being taught with an opportunity to redo anything that has not been understood at any point.

• Students attending this course are typically on track to apply for Medicine, Paramedicine, Nursing or similar life sciences undergraduate programmes with a background studying science subjects.
• A level Biology or equivalent study is recommended to keep up with the course material.
• Students must be between the ages of 16 and 19 at course commencement to be eligible.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award


BioGrad is an Approved Activity Provider for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. This course may be used as your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award, which can be signed off by the course leader on the final day.
Please provide your Duke of Edinburgh Award number on your registration form at the time of booking your course.
Students using this course for their GOLD residential must stay at Quest Aparthotel. Please note course fee does not include accommodation fee.
Accommodation MUST be paid at least 28 days in advance of course commencement.
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