NARCAID ECODA UNIT PROSPECTUS
Research, information and training in Emergency Care Orientated Drug Awareness accredited by the British Paramedic Association. A Royal College of Nursing Approved Professional Course.
INITIAL TRAINING PROGRAMME
This is a distance learning programme divided into two parts. Part one, the generic programme, provides a fundamental knowledge of how drugs work and its focus is on more commonly encountered substances. It is suitable for those who wish to improve their confidence in everyday practice. Part two, the specialist programme, provides a more extensive understanding of drug related incidents. It enables students to gain confidence when dealing with more demanding presentations. The full course takes approximately 88 hours to complete. Students may enrol at any time and work at their own pace.
Successful completion of each part leads to a certificate and students will need to attain a part one certificate to progress to part two. Course graduates will also be entitled to RCN certification.
ECODA differs from traditional drug awareness in that it is specifically designed for the emergency environment. It highlights the knowledge that is needed and excludes that which is not. Research is used to target relevant content and teaching methods are designed to make the material memorable. The primary result appears to be a significant increase in practitioner confidence.
It should be noted that the Narcaid training programme is designed to teach drug awareness; it is not a medical skills course. It should, however, inform clinical judgment and so facilitate competent management of drug related emergencies.
MISSION STATEMENT
The primary aim of the Narcaid ECODA Unit is to enhance clinical practice in the pre-hospital treatment of the drug-using patient. We believe that the best way to achieve this is by long-term, research-based partnership with the men and women who execute care. By listening to and responding to their needs over the years we have developed a training and support service which they say works for them.
We consider the student body to be the best judge of our effectiveness and exist to serve their needs. Whilst seeking to work closely and cooperatively with major bodies within the drugs field, the ambulance service and others, the needs of the students should take precedence over all other considerations and agendas, personal, financial or political.
We have developed a specialized form of drug awareness designed for the pre-hospital setting known as ECODA (Emergency Care Orientated Drug Awareness). It rests on the principle that best practice is informed practice and it is our belief that it currently represents the best knowledge base available for those working in this field.
Practitioners therefore should have the right to expect employing bodies to examine the evidence and, if found justified, consider its implementation and development. To this end, Narcaid holds itself open to the examination and scrutiny of its effectiveness and self-evaluation by an increasing number of professional bodies.
CURRICULUM
Part One – The Generic Programme
- Neurology
- Introduction *
- Pharmacology 1
- Introduction*
- Toxicology
- Introduction*
- Drug Classification and Differential Diagnosis*
- Drug Awareness (compulsory subjects)
- Alcohol*
- Heroin*
- Psychology 1
- Understanding self-harm/parasuicide
- Drug Awareness (compulsory subjects)
- Pharmaceuticals 1
- Paracetamol*
- Benzodiazepines (diazepam, temazepam)*
- Psychology 2
- Management of disorientated, distressed or aggressive patients
- Drug Awareness (compulsory subjects)
- Introduction to stimulant overdose*
- Amphetamine sulphate
Part Two – The Specialist Programme
- Drug Awareness (compulsory subjects)
- Pharmaceuticals 2
- NSAIDs (aspirin, mefenamic acid)*
- Tricyclic and SSRI antidepressants (amitriptyline, prozac) *
- Beta-blockers*
- Iron poisoning*
- Pharmaceuticals 2
- Psychology 3
- The psychology of substance misuse
- Drug Awareness (optional subjects)
- Ecstasy
- Methamphetamine
- Anaesthetic dance drugs (GHB)
- Anaesthetic dance drugs (ketamine)
- Hallucinogens (LSD)
- Pharmacology 2
- Polydrug (multiple drug) use and interactions*
- High Risk Presentations 1
- Paediatric emergencies*
- Drug Awareness (compulsory subjects)
- Cocaine/crack*
- VSA (volatile substance abuse)*
* Assessed subjects (there is also some case study evaluation)
ASSESSMENT AND TUTOR SUPPORT
Each module is usually sent by post although students can opt to submit material online. There are a number of questions at the end of each assessed module. Students submit their completed answer paper, which will be marked and returned along with the following module. The majority of the course is subject to multiple choice assessment with some case study evaluation.
Topics of primary importance are assessed whilst others may be self-directed study or reading modules. Many of the assessed modules also have optional self-directed study materials to consolidate understanding. Experienced, friendly and enthusiastic tutor support is available throughout the training period via email and telephone. Students are encouraged to be as interactive as possible and can ask for any additional information on any subject studied.
All assessment is overseen and made accountable to the Royal College of Nursing Accreditation Unit.
INFORMATION RESOURCE PACK
This pack contains details of useful web sites/online facilities. It should enable students to pursue information and assist them in keeping themselves updated. It includes a street language ‘lexicon’ to aid in the translation of patients’ drug related ‘slang’. It also contains some additional training materials and accompanies modules at various points in the programme.
ELIGIBILITY
ECODA was designed with the pre-hospital care environment in mind and may be most suited to the needs of professionals working therein. The professional accreditation now carried by the course makes it particularly suitable for meeting CPD requirements set by the ambulance service.
As the number of drug related presentations increases over time, this area of practice is becoming a greater area of concern within the emergency care field. Candidates with limited exposure to drug related incidents may struggle to provide the required case studies. Candidates with NO clinical background would not find this a suitable course. If in doubt, please contact Jayne on +44 (0)161-864-1199.
MEMBERSHIP OF ECODA UNIT – FEES
| PART ONE | PART TWO |
|---|---|
| Distance learning (generic programme) | Distance learning (specialist programme) |
| Information resource pack | |
| £85* | £95* |
| *when purchased online - normal price is £90 | *when purchased online - normal price is £100 |
Many students should find that their employers will consider financial assistance, e.g., through such facilities as individual learning accounts. Training departments can be invoiced by ourselves. In this case we should be notified of the authorization to invoice and the relevant address on the application form. Self-funding students can opt to pay in instalments (see attached information).
TRAINING TEAM
Project manager Jayne Irlam is a registered general nurse and a member of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association. She is employed as a drug worker by Trafford Substance Misuse Services and is a member of the Association of Nurses in Substance Abuse. She has previously worked in adult education and belongs to the RCN Education Forum.
Jayne worked for several years as a divisional nursing officer and trainer/examiner for St.John Ambulance. She has a paramedic assist (advanced EMT) certificate and continues to gain pre-hospital care experience.
She founded Narcaid in 1998 and has continued to manage the project.
Pedagogic advisor Geraldine McLaughlin has a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and is a qualified teacher. She has twenty years teaching experience in both full-time positions and as a supply teacher. Geraldine has worked voluntarily as a tutor in basic literacy and numeracy skills at the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders. She has also been trained as an assessor for students working towards the National Vocational Qualification in Childcare and Education. Geraldine is currently emplyed as a tutor in adult education.
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The service offered by the Narcaid ECODA Unit is designed for professional ambulance personnel and other emergency care practitioners. Our training programmes are designed to teach drug awareness (rather than medical skills) to inform clinical judgment. Individual clinical judgment must be exercised in each presentation according to pre-existing training.
