University Advanced Certificate Clinical & Professional Cardiothoracic Care

Join a programme, delivered in conjunction with Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, for practitioners from a range of care backgrounds who wish to specialise in acute or longer-term management of cardiothoracic care.

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      • Overview

      Covid-19 - Clinical & Professional Cardiothoracic Care Essential Information

      View essential information and videos about the changes to teaching and learning and campus facilities from September 2020
      Course Length: Typically 1-3 Years Part-Time
      Start Dates: September 2021, February 2022, September 2022, February 2023
      Subjects: Health and Social Care
      Location: Edge Hill University
      Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

      Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital logo

      This University Advanced Certificate is a contemporary programme for registered practitioners working in a context which demands expertise in the specific area of cardiothoracic care. If you already have graduate status but have limited knowledge and experience of cardiothoracic care, which you wish to develop, then this is the programme for you.

      The result of a joint initiative between Edge Hill University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the course is designed to be reflective of inter-professional care.

      From a specialist perspective, the depth and breadth of learning will be achieved by familiarising you with the many clinical innovations within cardiothoracic care, covering both acute and longer-term treatment and management, and providing an in-depth exploration of the complexities of patients’ long-term care needs. In addition, there will be a strong emphasis on patient safety, family-centred care and innovation in practice.

      Two of the critical care modules relate specifically to the National Competency Framework for Adult Critical Care Nurses (Step 1 and Step 2). Successful completion of these modules will enable you to demonstrate competency at these levels.

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      In Depth

      What will I study?

      You will focus on the journey of patients who present as a cardiothoracic emergency or follow the journey of the care needs of patients who have ongoing cardiothoracic disease and require long-term health care intervention.

      You will also consider patient safety and the prevention of harm, as well as the delivery of compassionate care to the cardiothoracic patient and their family.

      If you wish, you can substitute a cardiothoracic module with an alternative selected from the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine’s wider undergraduate professional development portfolio.

      How will I study?

      The course is designed for busy professionals to study on a part-time basis while in employment.

      Modules are delivered face-to-face using a combination of lectures, seminars, group discussion, case study examination, practical teaching and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). Additional support is available via a virtual learning environment.

      How will I be assessed?

      You will be assessed through a combination of written assignments, presentations and case studies.

      Who will be teaching me?

      The cardiothoracic-specific elements of the programme will be hosted and delivered by Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital’s Education team. Other modules are delivered by staff based at Edge Hill University. The teaching team will draw upon a range of field specific experts to inform delivery.

      This eclectic mix of academics and clinically based practitioners with teaching qualifications, reflects the expertise that underpins knowledge in this area. Specialist subject speakers will inform specific aspects of course delivery.

      A Great Study Environment

      Edge Hill University

      The Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine is one of the leading providers of education and training for health and social care professionals in the North West of England.

      Offering some of the best facilities for health, social care and medicine students in the country, the outstanding teaching and learning resources include leading edge clinical skills facilities, an 860-seat lecture theatre, and a variety of teaching rooms and social learning spaces.

      The faculty is home to a thriving research culture which includes a series of staff and student conference programmes, guest lectures and seminars, as well as active research groups.

      Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

      Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital is a leading national cardiothoracic care provider of integrated healthcare services for patients and their families across community and acute care settings. It was rated outstanding in its community health services for adults in the Care Quality Commission’s inspection report published in July 2019.

      The Education Centre at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital comprises seminar, classroom and lecture theatre spaces, in addition to clinically equipped skill rooms (app supported) with simulation devices, mannequins and mock bed spaces.

      Modules

      Expand All

      You will select a minimum of 40 credits from the following modules:

      HEA3131Patient and Family Centred Cardiothoracic Care (10 credits)

      Patient and Family Centred Cardiothoracic Care focuses on developing  your knowledge and delivery of holistic compassionate care to the cardiothoracic patient and their family. You will critically analyse the steps of cardiothoracic patient care pathways from admission to discharge. Key learning themes, underpinned by patient shadowing, stories and reflective accounts, will raise your awareness of the fundamental care needs of patients and their families during times of illness. Special focus will be given to the consideration of the impact of learning disability, deprivation of liberty, mental capacity, dementia care and safeguarding of vulnerable adults.


      Assessment: Coursework: 100%.

      HEA3245Principles of Cardiothoracic Care (30 credits)

      Principles of Cardiothoracic Care equips you with knowledge to inform the assessment and management of individuals affected by a range of cardiothoracic conditions requiring either medical or surgical interventions. You will critically examine the cardiothoracic assessment of a patient, applying your knowledge of anatomy and pathophysiology and exploring the range of care needs in order to generate a plan of action to manage care. The module also entails critical appraisal and analysis of effective care delivery.


      Assessment: Coursework: 100%.

      HEA3250Safe from Harm (Cardiothoracic Care) (20 credits)

      Safe from Harm (Cardiothoracic Care) equips you with knowledge pertaining to patient safety and the prevention of harm. You will gain an understanding of national drivers in patient safety and local ‘safe from harm’ initiatives, including governance and quality assurance. The module will also develop your awareness of common risks in practice, including how to plan for their avoidance and how to manage risk to avoid complication through appropriate action planning.


      Assessment: Coursework: 50%, Practical(s): 50%.

      You may also need to select an additional 20 credit module from the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine’s CPD portfolio. If you study all three of the modules listed above, you will not be required to choose a further option from the wider portfolio.

      Optional modules provide an element of choice within the programme curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements.

      For more information about each module, including the dates and times of module sessions, please visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/cpdmodules.

      Timetables

      You can expect to receive your timetable at enrolment. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day or evening of the week.

      Disclaimer

      Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information, however our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

      Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

      Entry Criteria

      Entry Requirements

      To join this programme, you should be working in an appropriate practice environment. For further advice on this, please contact either the Clinical Programme Lead or the Academic Programme Lead.

      You must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or Health and Care Professions Council, have membership of a related professional organisation, or hold an overseas nursing or allied health professional qualification and IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (with 6.0 achieved in the written and spoken language element of the test, completed within the last two years).

      You should have 240 UK credits with 120 at level 4 (Cert HE) and 120 at level 5 (Dip HE). Alternatively, students who are over 21 will be considered if they can demonstrate the ability to study at degree level by the successful completion of a 20 credit Edge Hill University degree level module.

      Following successful application, you will have an individual pathway advice session with the Liverpool Heart and Chest Education Team to make an informed choice of module options.

      Recognition of Prior Learning

      Edge Hill University recognises learning gained elsewhere, whether through academic credit and qualifications acquired from other relevant courses of study or through recognition of an individual’s professional and employment experience (also referred to as ‘experiential learning’). This may include credit or learning undertaken at another university.

      Previous learning that is recognised in this way may be used towards meeting the entry requirements for a programme and/or for exemption from part of a programme. It is your responsibility to make a claim for recognition of prior learning. For guidance, please consult the University’s academic regulations (sections C7 and F3.1) or contact the faculty in which you are interested in studying.

      Career Prospects

      What are my career prospects?

      Undertaking this specific programme of study can serve to enhance your career progression in the area of cardiothoracic care.

      Developing your skills and knowledge in cardiothoracic practice, you will gain enhanced self-awareness through the use of reflection, the application of theory to practice, the sharing of ideas and inter-professional, collaborative working.

      Successful completion of this award will ensure you are well-placed to either progress in your current role or pursue a change of career within associated areas.

      Finance

      Tuition Fees

      Tuition fees for students enrolling on the programme in academic year 2021/22 are still to be announced.

      You are advised to check this page regularly and once the position has been confirmed we will update this information.

      Apply

      How to Apply

      There is an online application process for this programme.

      Please choose the application form for your preferred intake date and mode of study.

      Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/applydirect for more information about the application process.

      Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/applydirect to access the relevant online application form and to find out more about the application process.

      Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

      Get in Touch

      If you have any questions about this programme, please contact:

      If you would like to talk to the programme leaders about the course in more detail, please contact:

      or

      Course Changes

      Expand All This page outlines any material changes to course content, programme structure, assessment methods, entry criteria, and modes of study or delivery, implemented in the past two years.

      10th January 2020 - Withdrawal of Modules

      HEA3033 Cardiothoracic Critical Care (20 credits) and HEA3172 Management of Cardiothoracic Events within Critical Care (10 credits) removed as optional modules.

      13th August 2019 - Change of Modules

      HEA3250 Safe from Harm (Cardiothoracic Care) (20 credits) replaces HEA3132 Safe from Harm (Cardiothoracic Care) (10 credits).

      Covid-19 - Clinical & Professional Cardiothoracic Care Essential Information

      Clinical & Professional Cardiothoracic Care Course Statement

      Delivery will be a mix of live interactive teaching by lecturers in an online environment and attendance on campus or at a University site. For the theory component of the programme, there will be campus attendance and online learning comprising of synchronous (seminar, tutorial) and asynchronous (lecture, discussion board) learning activities and academic support. For practical activities, simulation will be used, either on campus or via virtual learning environments. Attendance on campus or at a University site will be compliant with current Public Health England guidelines. If government advice allows, there will an offer of attendance on campus for relevant module activities which may include theoretical learning, academic support or access to campus/site-based learning resources.

      Teaching and Learning at Edge Hill University in 2020

      In this video Pro Vice-Chancellor, Lynda Brady, answers your questions and explains how teaching will work when you join us at Edge Hill University in September.

      Campus Facilities at Edge Hill University in 2020

      In this video Pro Vice-Chancellor, Lynda Brady, explains how we’re preparing the campus for your arrival in September and the facilities that will be available.