Biography
Karen Gubbins is a senior lecturer within the Paramedic Science team, who sit in the School of Nursing and Allied Health. Karen has been a qualified Paramedic since 1998, after joining West Midlands Ambulance Service in 1996. Prior to joining Birmingham Newman University, Karen worked at Birmingham City University (BCU) as Senior Lecturer for nearly six years, as Course Director for two of the six years, and as a Senior Lecturer at University of Worcester (UoW) for eleven years prior to working at BCU. Whilst working for West Midlands Ambulance Service, Karen worked as a first line supervisor, then later as an instructor within the training department. Whilst working in the latter role, she was fortunate to be asked to work with the Rotary Club which had links to the Rotary Club in Pune, India, who were setting up an ambulance service. She spent 8 weeks educating nurses and doctors in the UK, then travelled to India to continue the education and training on site there.
Karen was nominated for the “I am BCU awards” of Personal Tutor of the Year and, Inspirational Tutor of the Year in 2021, which was a huge honour.
Profile
Membership of Professional Organisations:
Karen has been active in research for a number of years, with a focus around education and recruitment of students to ensure applicants are supported appropriately. As a result of this research, she implemented a number of unique recruitment strategies in both UoW and BCU which proved valuable within the university processes.
Membership of Professional Organisations:
Karen is registered with the Health and Cate Professions Council, a full member of the College of Paramedics and is a fellow with the Higher Education Academy (senior fellow pending hopefully)
Qualifications:
Master of Science – Applied Professional Studies (University of Worcester 2011)
Post Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (University of Worcester 2010)
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Applied Professional Studies (University of Worcester 2008)
Certificate Higher Education: Further Education (University of Central England 2006)
Certificate in Natural Sciences (Open University 2005)
Certificate in Management (Nottingham University 2000)
Ambulance Paramedic (Institute of Health Care Development 1998)
Ambulance Technician (Institute of Health Care Development 1996)
Emergency Driving (Institute of Health Care Development 1996)
Other Activities
Publications:
Gubbins K, Hardwick S, (2019) Practice Based Education in Paramedic Science: Theories and Application to Practice. Class Professional: Bridgwater
Gubbins K, Lillyman S, Ghaye T (2016) 2nd edition. Reflection for Paramedics in University and Beyond. New Vista Publications: Gloucester
Gubbins K (2016) The Hanging/Hanged patient and Relevance to Pre-Hospital Care. Journal of Paramedic Practice. Vol 8, issues 6, pp290-293
Gubbins K & Nixon V (2013) Consultation and Communication Skills. In: Nixon (2013) Ed. Professional Practice in Paramedic, Emergency and Urgent Care. Wiley Blackwell: Chichester
Poster presentation learning and teaching conference – University of Worcester – do higher entry qualifications influence academic grades and successful completion of the foundation degree in pre-hospital unscheduled and emergency care? June 2013
Gubbins K, Lillyman S, Ghaye T (2012) Reflection for Paramedics in University and Beyond. New Vista Publications: Gloucester
Gubbins K (2011) Are current feedback methods optimal for student understanding and learning? Journal of Paramedic Practice. Vol 3, No 3, pp.314-319
Gubbins K (2008) UK Paramedic Rapid Sequence Intubation: Is it viable? Ambulance UK, February 2008.