Miss Clare Keenan
Profiles

Miss Clare Keenan

Associate Head of School (Practice Learning)

School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health & Human Sciences)

Role

I qualified as an ambulance technician for Lancashire Ambulance Service in 2002, I went on to continue with education throughout my ambulance career as well as move to South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Completing an Urgent and Emergency care degree at Plymouth University and also BEd in 2013. 

I have been at Plymouth University since January 2015. I began as a lecturer practitioner, this meant I still worked in my paramedic capacity at South Western Ambulance Service NHS trust 50% of the week and the rest on the Paramedic Programme. I moved to full time in March 2015, as I thoroughly enjoyed the Plymouth university environment. I still maintain an honorary contract with the trust and try to practice as frequently as I can.

I am currently the Interim Associate Head of School for Practice learning (Sep 16-Jan18) within the School of Health Professions, this is a dynamic role, with overarching responsibility to deliver placement allocation, and the development of policies, procedures and processes ensuring student, mentor and placement hosts' satisfaction. 

I still teach frequently across the different cohorts and modules on the Paramedic Programme, which is an area I particularly enjoy.


Qualifications

BA Education 


BSc Urgent and Emergency Care

FdSc Paramedic Science

FdSc Teaching and Learning


Professional membership

Member of the College of Paramedic (McPara)


Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)



Roles on external bodies

I am currently on the working group with the College of Paramedics looking at providing a national handbook for practice educators in the pre hospital environment. 


 www.collegeofparamedics.co.uk 

Teaching interests

I teach across all modules on the Paramedic Programme, I led on the cardiac care module. Currently I am honing my skills in practice education, and looking into how the curriculum can bridge the theory practice divide. This is through utilising different models of mentor and preceptorship.


Research interests

My research interest are education in practice. Currently collaborating on a handbook aimed at supporting Paramedic Educators in their practice and support of students.


I consider emotional health and wellbeing a priority and I am looking into how this can be incorporated into practice for all student paramedics and all frontline staff.