MSc ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTITIONER - DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP

Code HSC-7126D - (20 Credits)

The aim of this module is to support practitioners to advance their knowledge and understanding of effective leadership and management in healthcare and themselves as a leader. Critical analysis and appraisal of leadership and management theory and the explicit use of critical reflection and self-assessment within the module will enable practitioners to evaluate their own leadership skills and how this influences, and are influenced by, the context in which they practise. The module emphasises the importance of effective leadership to facilitate learning in others and the critical consideration of how individuals can adopt an inclusive, empowering and collaborative approach to enhance the success of the individuals and services within their organisation.

Code HSC-7126X - (20 Credits)

The aim of this module is to support practitioners to advance their knowledge and understanding of effective leadership and management in healthcare and themselves as a leader. Critical analysis and appraisal of leadership and management theory and the explicit use of critical reflection and self-assessment within the module will enable practitioners to evaluate their own leadership skills and how this influences, and are influenced by, the context in which they practise. The module emphasises the importance of effective leadership to facilitate learning in others and the critical consideration of how individuals can adopt an inclusive, empowering and collaborative approach to enhance the success of the individuals and services within their organisation.

Code HSC-7192D - (20 Credits)

This module will introduce the concepts and skills of evidence-based practice. In doing so, it will explore and critically analyse core theories, policies and models that support and underpin evidence-based practice. You will be facilitated to turn clinical and leadership queries into advanced practice focused questions, from which you can search the evidence. You will be supported to identify effective strategies for identifying and communicating the need for change associated with national and international quality standards and findings from research. You will also be introduced to a range of quantitative and qualitative research data collection and data analysis methods. These can be used to measure the impact of change in terms of quality improvement and transformation at the point of care within your area and scope of advanced practice.

Code HSC-7196D - (20 Credits)

There is an increasing need for healthcare professionals from all disciplines to develop enhanced skills in clinical assessment and examination. The overarching philosophy of this module is that assessment in advanced practice is about a level of practice, rather than particular pre-set practical skills. This module will enable you to conduct a systematic clinical assessment of your patient’s health status and consequently rationalise your decisions. The module takes a flexible approach to learning and assessment which enables students to develop and demonstrate advanced assessment practices specifically relevant to their role. It is therefore suitable for health professionals from most professional backgrounds including nurses, paramedics, OPDs, physiotherapist, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and other allied healthcare professionals. It is also suitable for students working in a wide range of clinical settings, sectors and specialities. The learning outcomes, content and assessments on this course are directly aligned to the Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England (Health Education England 2017).

Code HSC-7196X - (20 Credits)

Code HSC-7064H - (40 Credits)

Acute and critical illness are increasingly prevalent in healthcare, requiring effective identification, management and care. This module provides you, as an experienced registered health care professional, working in an area of acute or critical care, with the in-depth theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to competently assess, plan, implement and evaluate the care of those in critical illness. You will develop a greater understanding of the importance of patient assessment, enhancing your ability to practice as competent and informed practitioners in acute and critical care. This module provides the essential content for the completion of the critical care competencies steps 1 and 2. Pre-requisite: must work in an area of acute or critical care Co-requisite: registered health care professionals with access to a medical mentor

Code HSC-7091F - (20 Credits)

It is widely acknowledged that effective communication skills are central to the delivery of high quality health and social care and a decisive factor in determining patient satisfaction, concordance, resilience and recovery. This module aims to explore and describe the theoretical background and frameworks underpinning this essential area of practice, whilst at the same time providing you with an opportunity to evaluate and develop your own communication skills further. Utilising a number of different teaching methods such as role-play, video examples, case studies and discussion, this module will enable you to consider in-depth some of the common communication challenges found in the work environment whilst at the same time developing strategies to manage these. This module underpins the four pillars of advanced practice: management and leadership, education, research and advanced clinical practice. It reinforces the core principle that advanced practice is a level of practice rather than a particular role.

Code HSC-7194H - (20 Credits)

You will develop your skills and knowledge of working with people living with dementia across a wide range of community and inpatient settings. You will focus on improving your knowledge about and advancing practice in dementia, person-centred care and care interactions.

Code HSC-7023X - (40 Credits)

This module aims to enable stoma care specialist nurses to build in-depth and extensive knowledge, understanding and skills applied to all aspects of their role through critical evaluation of and reflection on their own professional responsibilities, the context in which they practice and the diverse and complex needs of the patient population they serve. Varied and innovative teaching and learning methods aim to develop critical thinking, communication skills, problem-solving and decision-making appropriate, and directly applied to, an advanced level of stoma care nursing practice. The module will aim to advance students’ specialist stoma care practice across the four pillars of advanced practice (Clinical, Research, Education, Management/leadership) and to develop and apply the underpinning principles of advanced practice within their specialist role, namely autonomous practice, critical thinking, high levels of decision-making and problem-solving, values-based care, and improving practice (NHS Education for Scotland, 2007).

Code HSC-7163F - (20 Credits)

This module aims to prepare you to be able to manage complex clinical conditions using scientific and contemporary clinical knowledge to underpin action, reflection and evaluation. You will learn how to practice safely and effectively, incorporating a systems approach to clinical examination skills. You will understand the principles of assessment, the process of diagnosis, differential diagnosis, red flags and appropriate planning of care. It will support you to develop your practice as an advanced clinical practitioner to enable you to manage complex clinical conditions using scientific and contemporary clinical knowledge that is evidence based.

Code HSC-7069X - (40 Credits)

The clinical endoscopy module supports NHS actions to address both the significant workforce challenges to reduce diagnostic waiting times (NHS, England, 2015), and manage the projected increase for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy in the UK over the next decade, due to increased patient expectations, emphasis on early diagnosis and awareness and uptake of screening (NHS Improvement, 2013). Changes in demographics, advanced endoscopy techniques and public policy are also expected to increase demand for endoscopy. Health Education England (HEE) has commissioned this clinical endoscopy module for delivery from January 2021 as part of the MSC Advanced Professional Practice Programme (APP). The module is closely aligned to the Joint Advisory Group (JAG, 2016) clinically based learning programme, resulting in summative endoscopy sign-off for either the upper GI endoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy modalities. The anticipated professional registrants accessing the module will be: registered nurses; diagnostic or therapeutic radiographers; and operating department practitioners. Opportunities exist for credentialing with Royal College of Nursing as an Advanced Level Nurse Practitioner if the enhanced clinical assessment and independent and supplementary prescribing modules form part of the route through the MSc APP. PRE REQUISITE Working in an endoscopy setting with organisational support for module completion

Code HSC-7107D - (20 Credits)

Globally, Diabetes Mellitus is a complex long-term condition with significant implications for morbidity and mortality and includes type 1 and type 2 diabetes. These issues can be reduced with good prevention and management strategies including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, appropriate for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This module, delivered fully online, focuses on advancing students’ practice in the field of diabetes, through the acquisition of knowledge supported by the research evidence base. Learners will enhance their understanding of practice across the lifespan, in order to improve healthcare systems and provide high quality care for individuals living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. They will develop their autonomous practice, critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving, values-based care and service improvement (NHS 2017). This module aims is designed around four pillars of advanced practice. These are Clinical, Research, Education and Management/Leadership, and are applicable across global healthcare systems.

Code HSC-7089F - (20 Credits)

This module is designed for health professionals who use diagnostic tests in their current role, including diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers, physiotherapists, nurses, and advanced nurse practitioners. The module allows you to develop and apply skills to recognise normal and abnormal appearances of diagnostic imaging, have the ability to interpret laboratory investigations. By the end you will be able to synthesise clinical information commonly seen in health care settings with radiographic appearances, enabling you to describe the radiographic appearances in a structured format. Enabling you to make sound clinical judgements. Students must have completed Ionising radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R) training. This module is suitable for those students who are currently working towards an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) role for credentialing or in an advanced practitioner role that requires this from their employer. Students must be registered with either the NMC or HCPC and currently working in a health care setting.

Code HSC-7165E - (20 Credits)

This module will introduce you to the underpinning educational theory and practice required to enhance your clinical education role, particularly as a clinical supervisor, mentor, or practice educator. It recognises the uniqueness of learning in clinical and practice settings and the importance of the role of the educator in facilitating learning which occurs in the context of client care.You will develop skills and experience professional socialisation which cannot readily be acquired elsewhere. The overall aim of the module is to provide you with a body of knowledge and principles to facilitate teaching, learning and assessment in practice-based settings. This will enable you to work effectively with learners who will become the workforce of the future and ultimately to improve services.

Code HSC-7139E - (20 Credits)

This module has been developed with the Norfolk & Suffolk Palliative care academy to enhance the experience of patients and their families during palliative and end of life care. The module has been constructed to provide those delivering services, with the opportunity to explore this important and sometimes challenging area of practice, in a supportive environment that enables reflection on practice and development of knowledge and skills in end of life care. The modules creates strong links between the students area of practice and topics covered in the module.

Code HSC-7125X - (40 Credits)

Independent prescribing is a widely integrated part of healthcare delivery in the UK. Nurses, Midwives and other Allied Healthcare Professionals are prescribing for a range of conditions both acute and long term which has been evaluated as clinically safe and appropriate and is well received by Service Users.  

This module is designed to meet the Health and Care Professions Council Standards for prescribing (HCPC 2019) and A Competency Framework for all Prescribers (RPS 2016). Registrants who complete the module can demonstrate that they meet the standards and can apply to have their entry on the register recorded as an Independent Prescriber.  

Pre-requisites:  

• Learners must be an HCPC registered Chiropodist/Podiatrist, Physiotherapist, Therapeutic Radiographer or Paramedic who has been qualified for at least one year
• Learners must be able to demonstrate the ability to study at Level 7
• Learners will normally have completed a physical assessment and history taking module or have a proven track record of the ability to assess and diagnose in their area of practice 
• Learners must have the support of their employer and a suitably qualified and prepared Designated Prescribing Practitioner (Practice Educator) who can commit to 78 hours of supervision as a minimum 
• You must also have an enhanced DBS check dated within three years of anticipated completion of the programme which is not less than ten months.

 
This module advances your professional development by drawing on the four pillars of advanced practice: management and leadership, education, research and advanced clinical practice. It reinforces the core principle that advanced practice is a level of practice rather than a particular role. 

Code HSC-7125H - (40 Credits)

Independent prescribing is a widely integrated part of healthcare delivery in the UK. Nurses, Midwives and other Allied Healthcare Professionals are prescribing for a range of conditions both acute and long term which has been evaluated as clinically safe and appropriate and is well received by Service Users.  

This module is designed to meet the Health and Care Professions Council Standards for prescribing (HCPC 2019) and A Competency Framework for all Prescribers (RPS 2016). Registrants who complete the module can demonstrate that they meet the standards and can apply to have their entry on the register recorded as an Independent Prescriber.  

Pre-requisites:  

• Learners must be an HCPC registered Chiropodist/Podiatrist, Physiotherapist, Therapeutic Radiographer or Paramedic who has been qualified for at least one year
• Learners must be able to demonstrate the ability to study at Level 7
• Learners will normally have completed a physical assessment and history taking module or have a proven track record of the ability to assess and diagnose in their area of practice 
• Learners must have the support of their employer and a suitably qualified and prepared Designated Prescribing Practitioner (Practice Educator) who can commit to 78 hours of supervision as a minimum 
• You must also have an enhanced DBS check dated within three years of anticipated completion of the programme which is not less than ten months.

 
This module advances your professional development by drawing on the four pillars of advanced practice: management and leadership, education, research and advanced clinical practice. It reinforces the core principle that advanced practice is a level of practice rather than a particular role. 

Code HSC-7111D - (40 Credits)

Independent prescribing is a widely integrated part of healthcare delivery in the UK. Nurses, Midwives and other Allied Healthcare Professionals are prescribing for a range of conditions both acute and long term which has been evaluated as clinically safe and appropriate and is well received by Service Users.  

This module is designed to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards for prescribing (NMC 2018) and A Competency Framework for all Prescribers (RPS 2016). Registrants who complete the module can demonstrate that they meet the standards and can apply to have their entry on the register recorded as an Independent Prescriber.  

Pre-requisites:  

• Students must be an NMC registered nurse or midwife who has been qualified for at least one year
• Students must be able to demonstrate the ability to study at Level 7
• Students will normally have completed a physical assessment and history taking module or have a proven track record of the ability to assess and diagnose in their area of practice 
• Students must have the support of their employer and a suitably qualified and prepared Designated Prescribing Practitioner to fulfil the role of Practice Assessor and a Practice Supervisor who can commit to a minimum of 78 hours of supervision. Both of these professionals must be Independent Prescribers
• You must also have an enhanced DBS check dated within three years of anticipated completion of the programme which is not less than ten months.

This module advances your professional development by drawing on the four pillars of advanced practice: management and leadership, education, research and advanced clinical practice. It reinforces the core principle that advanced practice is a level of practice rather than a particular role. 

Code HSC-7111X - (40 Credits)

Independent prescribing is a widely integrated part of healthcare delivery in the UK. Nurses, Midwives and other Allied Healthcare Professionals are prescribing for a range of conditions both acute and long term which has been evaluated as clinically safe and appropriate and is well received by Service Users.  

This module is designed to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards for prescribing (NMC 2018) and A Competency Framework for all Prescribers (RPS 2016). Registrants who complete the module can demonstrate that they meet the standards and can apply to have their entry on the register recorded as an Independent Prescriber.  

Pre-requisites:  

• Students must be an NMC registered nurse or midwife who has been qualified for at least one year.  
• Students must be able to demonstrate the ability to study at Level 7
• Students will normally have completed a physical assessment and history taking module or have a proven track record of the ability to assess and diagnose in their area of practice 
• Students must have the support of their employer and a suitably qualified and prepared Designated Prescribing Practitioner to fulfil the role of Practice Assessor and a Practice Supervisor who can commit to a minimum of 78 hours of supervision. Both of these professionals must be Independent Prescribers
• You must also have an enhanced DBS check dated within three years of anticipated completion of the programme which is not less than ten months.

This module advances your professional development by drawing on the four pillars of advanced practice: management and leadership, education, research and advanced clinical practice. It reinforces the core principle that advanced practice is a level of practice rather than a particular role. 

Code HSC-7007E - (20 Credits)

This module supports practitioners in promoting person-centred care for the patient and their families/carers with a long-term condition. It will enable practitioners to understand the challenges and complexities of living with a long-term condition and the strategies and interventions used to support people to self-manage their illness. It will explore emerging models of service provision for the patient and provide opportunities for enhanced collaboration between services in the health and social care sectors, including primary, secondary and tertiary care. Central to this module is the significance of using evidence-based approaches to manage long-term conditions and to understand this in the context of contemporary health and social care practice. You’ll be encouraged to reflect on your practice and continuously be an advocate for driving and improving service provision within your own area of practice.

Code HSC-7101D - (20 Credits)

This module has been designed to meet the needs of diverse health and social care practitioners working across a range of community and inpatient hospital contexts, as well as in private, voluntary and statutory settings. It is aimed at health and social care professionals who would not regard themselves as mental health specialists, including those working in schools (such as teachers and school nurses), primary care health centres, and charitable or community organisations. The module content takes into account a potential lack of knowledge, skills and confidence that such practitioners may experience in assessing and managing a range of mental health issues in non-mental health specialist environments, working with children, young people and adults of any age.

Code HSC-7198E - (20 Credits)

The aim of this module is to enable you to develop a holistic approach to the assessment and treatment of patients with minor health problems. You will build on current knowledge in order to provide enhanced evidence-based care in primary care, urgent care and first contact settings. This module will enable you to develop a range of skills that reflect an individualised, empowering and holistic approach to patient health assessment, care management and treatment in a more advanced and autonomous clinical role. This will include providing evidence based anticipatory guidance and educating patients in self-care.

Code HSC-7198X - (20 Credits)

The aim of this module is to enable you to develop a holistic approach to the assessment and treatment of patients with minor health problems. You will build on current knowledge in order to provide enhanced evidence-based care in primary care, urgent care and first contact settings. This module will enable you to develop a range of skills that reflect an individualised, empowering and holistic approach to patient health assessment, care management and treatment in a more advanced and autonomous clinical role. This will include providing evidence based anticipatory guidance and educating patients in self-care.

Code HSC-7034E - (20 Credits)

Healthcare professionals in primary and secondary care may be expected to manage patients presenting with a minor injury. It is essential to be equipped with the appropriate skills to formulate a diagnosis and ensure evidence based care. You will learn the importance of good history taking including the mechanism of injury to support sound clinical reasoning relevant to the injury and recognise ‘red flags’. You will learn to employ a range of assessment and examination strategies in a wide range of presenting conditions and negotiate evidence based management with your patient. The module will enable you to provide safe, effective and timely management of minor injuries in primary and secondary care settings.

Code HSC-7018H - (40 Credits)

You’ll be prepared as a midwife or neonatal nurse to undertake the physical examination of the newborn within 72 hours of birth. The newborn examination complies with UK National Screening Committee Standards and Competencies (UK National Screening Committee 2016) and is overseen by Public Health England. This module has been developed in conjunction with Neonatologists, Paediatricians, Heads of Midwifery, Practice Development Midwives and current and previous students who have undertaken Newborn Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) modules. The module satisfies the need of local NHS Trusts to train staff in examination of the newborn, in keeping with the criteria set in the NIPESC (2016) and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Routine post-natal care of women and their babies guideline (NICE 2006). You’ll be able to demonstrate a systematic understanding of the maternal health and family history, antenatal, birth and the perinatal influences which may impact on the health of the newborn. You could critically appraise research and other literature in the evidence base of this specialist area of midwifery/neonatal nursing practice. You’ll demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of care which applies specialist knowledge, skills and expertise of inspection, palpation and auscultation in relationship to the assessment of the newborn. You’ll be able to critically evaluate all aspects related to the assessment of the newborn including detection of abnormalities. You could critically evaluate effective communication skills with parents within a multi-cultural society, health care professionals and other agencies involved with the care of the newborn. You’ll be able to identify and demonstrate critical awareness of the legal and ethical issues associated with Newborn Infant Physical Examination (NIPE). You will evaluate critically the midwife's/neonatal nurse's changing role in relationship to the holistic assessment of the newborn.

Code HSC-7036X - (20 Credits)

You will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to assess children presenting to you who are acutely unwell and this module will enable you to recognise those with potential serious and life threatening illness. ‘Spotting the Sick Child’ offers a useful framework for guiding principles and will offer you a useful platform by which to consolidate your learning. The use of the Paediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) will be applied to detect changes in the child’s physiological status in the context of their vital signs e.g. pulse, respiratory rate and distress and conscious level. You will explore the use of PEWS in order to identify if a child's clinical condition is deteriorating and recognise this as an early indication that intervention may be required.

Code HSC-7074E - (20 Credits)

Pathophysiology examines the mechanisms that cause functional change in body systems. Comparing nature-nurture perspectives on the health & illness continuum, this module aims to facilitate the development of practitioners who can use their advanced physiological and clinical knowledge to critically analyse “holistic” care; explore the boundaries of current thinking and hypothesise future advances in healthcare. The module is designed to enable you to apply in-depth understanding of pathophysiology to underpin your practice and effectively meet the individualised healthcare needs of service users across the life course.

Code HSC-7187E - (20 Credits)

Within the political, social, technical, economic, organisational and professional contexts in which healthcare is delivered, this module explores how practitioners can utilise their expert power and negotiation skills to influence a culture of creativity and innovation for advancing practice.

Code HSC-7199D - (20 Credits)

The aim of this module is to provide the students the means to develop a professional recognition portfolio that demonstrates their learning through a series of self - assessment, reflections and case studies. The portfolio will be personal to the students own Advanced Professional Practice Development .The work included within the portfolio should demonstrate student learning and development across the four pillars of advanced practice:

• Clinical
• Research
• Education
• Management/leadership

and the underpinning principles of advanced practice:

• Autonomous practice
• Critical thinking
• High levels of decision-making and problem-solving
• Values-based care

Code HSC-7199F - (20 Credits)

You will develop a professional recognition portfolio that demonstrates your learning through a series of self - assessment, reflections and case studies. The portfolio will be personal to your own Advanced Professional Practice Development. The work included within the portfolio should demonstrate your learning and development across the four pillars of advanced practice:

• Clinical
• Research
• Education
• Management/leadership

Together with the underpinning principles of advanced practice:

• Autonomous practice
• Critical thinking
• High levels of decision-making and problem-solving
• Values-based care

This can be a stand-alone module or part of the MSc Advanced Professional Practice programme (L7).

Code HSC-7195X - (20 Credits)

This module is about developing your skills and knowledge for working with older people across a wide range of community and inpatient settings. The focus is on improving knowledge about, and advancing practice in, working with older people from biological, psychological and social perspectives.

Code HSC-7193X - (40 Credits)

This module is essential in order to complete the programme. The EPA provides synoptic assessment of the achievement of knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined in the Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship standard. Following independent assessment of the EPA the apprentice will receive an overall apprenticeship grade in addition to the Master’s Degree classification in Advanced Clinical Practice. 

Code HSC-7193D - (40 Credits)

Service Improvement leads to positive change within services with the aim of improving patient outcomes and enhancing patient care. This module will equip practitioners with the knowledge and skills to facilitate a small-scale service improvement project appropriate to their scope of advanced practice and the context in which they work. Supportive and flexible learning resources and opportunities are offered in six blocks of online learning delivered over the first 12 weeks of the module. Throughout the module, learners will have the opportunity to individually gain feedback and guidance on the design, implementation and evaluation of their projects.

Code HSC-7193X - (40 Credits)

Service Improvement leads to positive change within services with the aim of improving patient outcomes and enhancing patient care. This module will equip practitioners with the knowledge and skills to facilitate a small-scale service improvement project appropriate to their scope of advanced practice and the context in which they work. Supportive and flexible learning resources and opportunities are offered in six blocks of online learning delivered over the first 12 weeks of the module. Throughout the module, learners will have the opportunity to individually gain feedback and guidance on the design, implementation and evaluation of their projects.