Postgraduate Certificate Advanced Clinical Practice

Summary 2012/13

• Support your development of a strong theoretical understanding to underpin advanced practice;
• Enhance your skills in clinical assessment, examination and patient management;
• Reflect on your own practice.

To meet NHS operational requirements, performance and financial targets, one of the national strategies established is to enhance the capacity of experienced healthcare staff through liberating the talents of nursing and allied health professionals. This is to enable them to competently undertake advanced clinical roles and activities traditionally performed by their medical colleagues.

The successful acquisition of these new 'advanced skills' is vital, due to the potential substantial clinical risks associated with these new activities. The aim of this course, therefore, is to provide the necessary additional post-registration professional development to underpin a clinically advanced practice role.

2012 Entry Requirements

You must be a registered health practitioner with a minimum of three years post registration experience. A reference must be provided from your clinical line manager. You should have a degree, or degree-level qualification, and be working in a role that will allow you to undertake the relevant work-based assessments on the programme.

Summary 2013/14

• Support your development of a strong theoretical understanding to underpin advanced practice;
• Enhance your skills in clinical assessment, examination and patient management;
• Reflect on your own practice.

To meet NHS operational requirements, performance and financial targets, one of the national strategies established is to enhance the capacity of experienced healthcare staff through liberating the talents of nursing and allied health professionals. This is to enable them to competently undertake advanced clinical roles and activities traditionally performed by their medical colleagues.

The successful acquisition of these new 'advanced skills' is vital, due to the potential substantial clinical risks associated with these new activities. The aim of this course, therefore, is to provide the necessary additional post-registration professional development to underpin a clinically advanced practice role.

2013 Entry Requirements

You must be a registered health practitioner with a minimum of three years post registration experience. A reference must be provided from your clinical line manager. You should have a degree, or degree-level qualification, and be working in a role that will allow you to undertake the relevant work-based assessments on the programme.

Details

Who is this course for?

This programme is targeted at healthcare practitioners working, or about to work, in 'advanced' clinical roles in primary and secondary care, typically where you are required to make autonomous clinical decisions

What will I gain from this programme?

On successful completion of this programme you will have:

• A strong theoretical understanding to support advanced practice; applying policy legislation and evidence-based guidance into day-to-day clinical practice;
• Enhanced and expanded skills in clinical assessment, examination and patient management;
• Intellectual and professional independence commensurate with postgraduate study;
• Critically reflective and analytical problem solving skills.

How we will support you

We will offer teaching and learning support throughout the programme. You will have access to individual tutorials, online support and Learning Services. We have a wealth of experience supporting students and are proud of our equality and diversity portfolio.

There is a named Programme Leader who will support your progression and provide academic advice to assist your personal development plan. In addition, each Module Leader will provide support regarding their module and there will also be a dedicated Pathway Administrator to assist your individual needs.

What will I study?

There is a strong strategic demand, both nationally and locally, for existing practitioners to acquire the necessary enhanced clinical knowledge and skills to become competent and thus clinically safe.

This programme offers you the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in performing clinical examination (main body system) and accurate clinical history taking. You will also develop competence in interpreting clinical diagnostic results, assisting with a management plan and working towards the capabilities of an advanced practitioner in clinical practice.

There will be opportunities for reflection on your own professional development, increasing your confidence in academic discourse with peers as well as acquiring evidence-based practice.

How will I study?

A variety of teaching methods are used, including lectures, group work and clinical skills development, supported by online resources. All modules are on a part-time basis, one session a week, days and times of which vary according to each module.

Who will be teaching me?

Edge Hill University enjoys an excellent reputation for teaching quality. The teaching team mainly comprises staff from the Faculty of Health, all of whom have relevant theoretical understanding and clinical experience, supported by guest speakers who are practicing clinicians. Members of the programme teaching team publish in international journals and present at national and international conferences.

How will I be assessed?

A variety of assessment strategies are used including essays, examinations, Objective Structure Clinical Assessments (OSCE’s) and practice-based assessments. For a number of the modules you will need to gain the support of a work-based, clinically-credible mentor who is able to assess your practice in the workplace.

What are my career prospects?

Completion of this award would enhance your professional profile as it demonstrates to your patients, current or future employers and commissioners, that you have the necessary specific clinical competencies to support your extended scope of practice.

After completion of this course, you can continue your professional development by joining our MSc in Advanced Practice.

Further study at Edge Hill University

MSc Advanced Practice

A Great Study Environment

The Faculty of Health and Social Care is one of the main providers of education for health care professionals in Merseyside and the North West, with approximately 4,000 trained and educated at Edge Hill University every year.

The £14 million purpose-built accommodation at the Ormskirk Campus houses some of the best facilities in the country. Our learning resources are second to none, with leading edge clinical skills facilities including ward simulations with industry standard equipment.

The Faculty has been commended by the QAA for the quality of teaching and learning, student progression and learning resources. Learning resources include over 23,000 books, journals and electronic resources, with access also available to facilities at several NHS study centres. The Faculty of Health and Social Care building includes ten teaching rooms, an 860-seat lecture theatre, social learning spaces and four rooms recreating hospital environments for practicing clinical skills.

How do I apply?

Apply directly to Edge Hill University. Download the Health Professional Development pathway application form and notes for guidance (pdf).

Fees and Finance

Tuition fees for this programme are £560 per 20 credit module for academic year 2012/13.

Edge Hill graduates joining an eligible postgraduate programme at the University in academic year 2012/13 could benefit from a 20% reduction in tuition fees. If you're a UK or EU student and will be paying the fees yourself, you might be eligible to receive this discount. See www.edgehill.ac.uk/reducedfees for more information.

Not got the entry requirements?

If you lack the standard entry requirements, please contact the programme leader for advice.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact:

• Dave Owens, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 657077
• Email: owensd@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

HEA 9055 Context of Advanced Practice (20 credits) provides a strong foundation to prepare practitioners to operate safely and purposely at an advanced and increasingly autonomous level within their area of practice. As an advanced practitioner it is necessary to have a detailed understanding of the governance, legal and professional systems and frameworks that can be used to underpin your practice, within the context of improving the quality of service provision. The module runs twice a year with teaching on Tuesdays from 4pm to 7pm.

HEA 4025 Clinical Assessment and Diagnostics (20 credits) is designed to enable health care professionals to clinically manage their patients. This module will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills required to elicit and record an accurate clinical history, perform a clinical examination focusing upon the major body systems and interpret common clinical diagnostic results, to inform your clinical management plan.

Assessment for this module will be an unseen written examination and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). You will also complete a Practice Assessment Document, requiring you to enter into a learning contract with a suitably qualified mentor within your own area of clinical practice. This module runs once a year, from September, with teaching on Wednesday mornings.

Optional Module (20 credits). An optional module worth 20 credits at Masters Level must be chosen from the CPD postgraduate portfolio. You are encouraged to choose a module which is of a clinical nature, in agreement with the programme leader.

Please note, if you have previously completed the HEA 790 Non-Medical Prescribing module (45 credits at level 6), it may be possible for the credits from this module to be incorporated into this programme as 20 masters level credits, covering the optional module requirement. Please speak to the programme leader for further guidance.