MSc Surgical Care Practice

Develop core and specialist surgical skills, tailoring the course to your specific area of experience and work-based learning requirements, on a programme approved by the Royal College of Surgeons.

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      Overview

      Course Length: 2 Years Full-Time
      Start Dates: September 2022, September 2023
      Subjects: Health and Social Care
      Location: St James', Manchester

      This innovative Masters degree is suitable for qualified practitioners who have been appointed to surgical care practice training posts within surgical directorates. Your role should encompass the provision of care and appropriate intervention within the perioperative environment, on wards and/or in clinics (usually within a specified surgical specialty).

      The programme will provide you with a systematic and critical understanding of the breadth and depth of knowledge within specific areas of practice. You will develop core and specialist surgical skills and extend your knowledge and practice within the surgical care environment. This will include some operative procedures that will enable specialist practitioners to provide continuity of service and standards of care to patients in areas which do not necessarily need to be provided by medically qualified staff.

      Eleven specialist pathways are available:

      • MSc Surgical Care Practice (Cardiothoracic Surgery)
      • MSc Surgical Care Practice (General Surgery)
      • MSc Surgical Care Practice (Gynaecology)
      • MSc Surgical Care Practice (Maxillofacial Surgery)
      • MSc Surgical Care Practice (Neurosurgery)
      • MSc Surgical Care Practice (Otorhinolaryngology)
      • MSc Surgical Care Practice (Paediatric Surgery)
      • MSc Surgical Care Practice (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)
      • MSc Surgical Care Practice (Trauma and Orthopaedics)
      • MSc Surgical Care Practice (Urology)
      • MSc Surgical Care Practice (Vascular Surgery)
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      In Depth

      What will I study?

      Initially, you will be given a broad overview of surgical practice, covering areas such as clinical examination and diagnostic tests. You will also study and practice first assistant skills, basic surgical skills, and generic surgical care practice skills (including all of the pre, intra and post-operative patient phases). Research analysis and leadership skills in relation to the role of a surgical care practitioner are also introduced and discussed.

      In the second half of the programme, you will undertake a specialist negotiated module which will be tailored to your specific specialist practice requirements. For instance, if you work for an orthopaedic team then the module will be tailored to the specific requirements of that team, potentially considering themes such as understanding the pathophysiology of joint disease and strategies for their treatment, the use of implants in elective orthopaedic surgery and in relation to specific orthopaedic procedures, and knowledge of available options and surgical techniques.

      A dissertation module focuses on a clinical project that will demonstrate leadership and innovation in a specific clinical issue.

      How will I study?

      The programme incorporates a blend of face-to-face study, independent learning and time spent working in practice.

      For the time spent in university, the first half of the course will be delivered through block-weeks of face-to-face sessions. Eight block-weeks of face-to-face sessions will take place in the first year. Some reading time will be incorporated into these eight weeks to help you plan for the assessment and submission of work.

      In the second half of the programme, there is a greater focus on independent learning. However, some face-to-face sessions will be planned and there will also be an attendance requirement for assessments.

      Throughout the programme, you will undertake training in your place of employment, working alongside the multidisciplinary team to deliver safe and effective care to patients in the perioperative environment, on the wards and in the clinics both pre and post-operatively.

      A minimum of 33.5 hours per week, for approximately 37 weeks, will be spent working in practice. The national curriculum requires a minimum of 2,200 hours over the two years in combined clinical activities in and out of the theatre environment. A minimum of 1,100 hours has to be spent in the operating theatre environment.

      In addition to the above, a half-day per week will be built into your annual timetable to facilitate self-directed learning and engagement with Edge Hill University’s virtual learning environment.

      Please note, some face-to-face sessions and/or examinations may be undertaken at Edge Hill University instead of St James’ in Manchester.

      How will I be assessed?

      In university, assessments will take the form of essays, written case studies, viva voce (oral) examinations, written examinations and observed structured clinical examinations (OSCEs).

      In practice, you will be assessed using a variety of techniques, including:

      • The Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS), where you will perform a specific practical procedure that is directly observed;
      • Case-based Discussion (CbD), requiring the evaluation of your performance in the management of a patient. This will provide an indication of your competence in areas such as clinical reasoning, decision-making and the application of medical knowledge in relation to patient care;
      • Clinical Evaluation Exercise (CEX), where a clinical encounter with a patient is evaluated to provide an indication of your competence in skills essential for outstanding clinical care.

      Who will be teaching me?

      You will be taught by tutors from the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine who have the experience and expertise to deliver the applied elements of this MSc via lessons, seminars and discussions. In addition, teaching will be provided by associate lecturers who are either medically qualified, or employed as qualified surgical care practitioners.

      You will require a mentor who must be a consultant surgeon for the practice elements of the programme, although it is expected that you will work with a variety of staff within the surgical team. This may include, for example, other consultant surgeons, registrars and junior medical staff, in addition to other surgical care practitioners (subject to availability). The mentor(s) must be willing and available to work alongside you in the clinical arena, with real patients, supervising and assessing your clinical activities.

      A Great Study Environment

      St James’ in central Manchester provides an extensive modern clinical simulation suite, including a mock operating theatre, ambulance simulator and clinical skills stations. A 3D immersive simulation suite enables you to practice clinical scenarios in a realistic, supportive and safe environment. Additional facilities include a library and IT resources.

      Modules

      Expand All

      Compulsory modules:

      HEA4002Advanced Practice Project (60 credits)

      Advanced Practice Project challenges you to explore how to lead, implement and evaluate a service improvement project within a health and social care setting. This will involve either working with other professionals within your practice area to identify, plan and implement a small-scale project that is directed at promoting service improvement or developing a business case for a project designed to improve the quality of care.


      Assessment: Coursework: 100%.

      HEA4120Introduction to Surgical Care Practice (20 credits)

      Introduction to Surgical Care Practice enables you to expand your professional boundaries by focusing on developing knowledge, skills and confidence, which will support your enhanced clinical skills. The module encompasses the skills required to act as a surgeon’s assistant, including legal and ethical boundaries, risk, applied anatomy and physiology, and a range of specific clinical skills and techniques relevant to the role.


      Assessment: Coursework: 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4121Clinical Examination and Diagnostics in Surgical Care Practice (20 credits)

      Clinical Examination and Diagnostics in Surgical Care Practice enables health care professionals to develop the knowledge and skills required to elicit and record an accurate clinical history, perform a clinical examination focusing upon major body systems, and successfully interpret clinical diagnostic results to inform a clinical management plan.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4122Generic Surgical Care Practice Skills (20 credits)

      Generic Surgical Care Practice Skills equips you with the knowledge, skills and understanding to effectively care for surgical patients from admission to discharge. These skills are generic to all surgical specialities and include, for example, anatomy and physiology, ward rounds for pre and post-operative patients and identifying common post-operative problems, such as haemorrhage, sepsis and shock, and how to manage these issues.


      Assessment: Coursework: 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4123Leadership and Management in Surgical Care Practice (20 credits)

      Leadership and Management in Surgical Care Practice is designed to facilitate a reflective, critical and evaluative insight into leadership styles, theories and strategic management, including change and resource management in health and social care. The module will focus on the development of management and leadership skills in practice, underpinned by the application of theoretical perspectives to individual work environments and the development of a strategic focus.


      Assessment: Coursework: 100%.

      HEA4139Appraising and Evaluating Research Within Surgical Care Practice (20 credits)

      Appraising and Evaluating Research Within Surgical Care Practice will enhance your knowledge of searching electronic literature using recognised databases. You will choose an issue pertaining to your own area of professional and clinical expertise within surgical care practice, where you will appraise, analyse and evaluate the literature. Based on principles for both ‘good clinical practice’ and wider health and wellbeing research, you will focus on appraisal of the research question, design, methods, ethical issues, research governance, data management and analysis strategies. You will also be required to effectively communicate any identified areas for further research or potential service improvement relating to your area of expertise.


      Assessment: Coursework: 100%.

      You will study one additional module from the following options. The relevant module will be determined by your choice of pathway.

      HEA4160Surgical Care Practice in Trauma and Orthopaedics (20 credits)

      Surgical Care Practice in Trauma and Orthopaedics is designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in your specialist field and to assist you in achieving the Royal College of Surgeons’ clinical competencies for trauma and orthopaedic surgery. The module will develop and build on core generic skills of working in surgical care, whilst concentrating on specialist aspects of surgery, clinical examination, ward and clinical-based patient care.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4161Surgical Care Practice in General Surgery (20 credits)

      Surgical Care Practice in General Surgery is designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in your specialist field and to assist you in achieving the Royal College of Surgeons’ clinical competencies for general surgery. The module will develop and build on core generic skills of working in surgical care, whilst concentrating on specialist aspects of surgery, clinical examination, ward and clinical-based patient care.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4162Surgical Care Practice in Urology (20 credits)

      Surgical Care Practice in Urology is designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in your specialist field and to assist you in achieving the Royal College of Surgeons’ clinical competencies for urology. The module will develop and build on core generic skills of working in surgical care, whilst concentrating on specialist aspects of surgery, clinical examination, ward and clinical-based patient care.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4163Surgical Care Practice in Cardiothoracic Surgery (20 credits)

      Surgical Care Practice in Cardiothoracic Surgery is designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in your specialist field and to assist you in achieving the Royal College of Surgeons’ clinical competencies for cardiothoracic surgery. The module will develop and build on core generic skills of working in surgical care, whilst concentrating on specialist aspects of surgery, clinical examination, ward and clinical-based patient care.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4164Surgical Care Practice in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (20 credits)

      Surgical Care Practice in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in your specialist field and to assist you in achieving the Royal College of Surgeons’ clinical competencies for plastic and reconstructive surgery. The module will develop and build on core generic skills of working in surgical care, whilst concentrating on specialist aspects of surgery, clinical examination, ward and clinical-based patient care.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4165Surgical Care Practice in Neurosurgery (20 credits)

      Surgical Care Practice in Neurosurgery is designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in your specialist field and to assist you in achieving the Royal College of Surgeons’ clinical competencies for neurosurgery. The module will develop and build on core generic skills of working in surgical care, whilst concentrating on specialist aspects of surgery, clinical examination, ward and clinical-based patient care.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4166Surgical Care Practice in Paediatric Surgery (20 credits)

      Surgical Care Practice in Paediatric Surgery is designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in your specialist field and to assist you in achieving the Royal College of Surgeons’ clinical competencies for paediatric surgery. The module will develop and build on core generic skills of working in surgical care, whilst concentrating on specialist aspects of surgery, clinical examination, ward and clinical-based patient care.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4167Surgical Care Practice in Vascular Surgery (20 credits)

      Surgical Care Practice in Vascular Surgery is designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in your specialist field and to assist you in achieving the Royal College of Surgeons’ clinical competencies for vascular surgery. The module will develop and build on core generic skills of working in surgical care, whilst concentrating on specialist aspects of surgery, clinical examination, ward and clinical-based patient care.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4168Surgical Care Practice in Maxillofacial Surgery (20 credits)

      Surgical Care Practice in Maxillofacial Surgery is designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in your specialist field and to assist you in achieving the Royal College of Surgeons’ clinical competencies for maxillofacial surgery. The module will develop and build on core generic skills of working in surgical care, whilst concentrating on specialist aspects of surgery, clinical examination, ward and clinical-based patient care.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4169Surgical Care Practice in Otorhinolaryngology (20 credits)

      Surgical Care Practice in Otorhinolaryngology is designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in your specialist field and to assist you in achieving the Royal College of Surgeons’ clinical competencies for otorhinolaryngology surgery. The module will develop and build on core generic skills of working in surgical care, whilst concentrating on specialist aspects of surgery, clinical examination, ward and clinical-based patient care.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      HEA4170Surgical Care Practice in Gynaecology (20 credits)

      Surgical Care Practice in Gynaecology is designed to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in your specialist field and to assist you in achieving the Royal College of Surgeons’ clinical competencies for gynaecology surgery. The module will develop and build on core generic skills of working in surgical care, whilst concentrating on specialist aspects of surgery, clinical examination, ward and clinical-based patient care.


      Assessment: Written Exam(s): 100%, Practical(s): Pass/Fail Element.

      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 MSc, you must be a registered healthcare practitioner employed in a suitable working environment.

      The minimum requirement is a degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above) in a health or social care related subject, with evidence of at least 18 months post-registration experience. If you do not have a degree at 2:2 or above but have been employed as a trainee surgical care practitioner, you may still be able to gain entry to the programme if you can demonstrate evidence of study at undergraduate level (minimum 20 credits at Level 6) within the last two years.

      It is anticipated that all students joining this programme will have extensive subject knowledge or work experience in their chosen field as all of the assessments involve the relation of theory to practice. An interview will form part of the selection process.

      You must provide written approval from your organisation to confirm that they support you joining the programme, while a surgical supervisor in practice must be identified to support your surgical skills development. You will need to be employed as a trainee surgical care practitioner on a supernumerary basis for the duration of the programme.

      Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure and occupational health checks must be provided by your employer.

      In addition, you must complete a two-day Basic Surgical Skills Workshop, delivered by Edge Hill University and accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons, prior to the start of the course.

      Career Prospects

      What are my career prospects?

      On completion of this programme, you will gain a nationally recognised qualification that enables you to undertake the role of a surgical care practitioner.

      You will also be able to demonstrate a number of core and specialist skills that will enable you to work effectively as part of the surgical team, work competently to practice within your field of speciality (e.g. cardiothoracic, colorectal, or trauma and orthopaedics) and to be able to function confidently, competently and autonomously.

      Finance

      Tuition Fees

      Tuition fees for full-time study on this MSc are £5,250 for Year 1 for UK students enrolling on the course in academic year 2022/23. Tuition fees for Year 2, studied in academic year 2023/24, 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.

      The basic surgical skills course is charged at an added cost which is currently £650.

      EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.

      Financial Support

      For comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students joining postgraduate courses at Edge Hill University in academic year 2022/23, together with details of how to apply for potential funding, please view our Money Matters 2022/23 guide at www.edgehill.ac.uk/postgradfinance2022.

      EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals should ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please see www.edgehill.ac.uk/eufinance for further details.

      Apply

      How to Apply

      There is an online application process for this programme.

      As part of the application process, you will need to download and complete a document, part of which involves gaining signatures, including from your line manager/employer and designated surgical supervisor in practice.

      Please choose the application form for your preferred intake date and pathway.

      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 leader about the course in more detail, please contact:

      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.

      9th March 2021 - Clarification of Payment of Tuition Fees

      While the tuition fees for full-time UK students joining the programme in academic year 2021/22 remain at £9,250 for the entire programme, the payment of tuition fees will now be split differently between each year of the course. £5,000 is payable in Year 1, with £4,250 payable in Year 2.

      Covid-19 - Surgical Care Practice Essential Information

      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.
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