PG Certificate Advanced Professional Practice - Distance Learning

The programme is designed to offer flexibility to working professionals through blended learning. You can tailor the course to your requirements by choosing to follow either the Leadership or Clinical pathway at PG Certificate, PG Diploma or Master’s level. If you are a UK student you will have the option of studying part-time.

The overarching philosophy of our programme is that advanced practice is all about reaching a level of practice, rather than a specific professional role. Suitable for all experienced health and care professionals and open to both national and international applicants, it reflects professional, UK-wide government and international benchmarks for advanced level practice for the health and social care workforces.  You will attain the contemporary knowledge and skills for advanced level practice. Our aim is to help you to develop an academic preparedness for an advanced professional practice role. All of this is based on the four pillars of advanced practice – clinical, research, education and management/leadership – and the five key principles: autonomous practice, critical thinking, values-based care, improving practice, and high levels of decision-making and problem-solving. By selecting the optional modules that are relevant to your area of advanced practice, you can tailor the course around your professional practice needs and across the pillars and principles. The emphasis of learning within each of the four pillars will be dependent on the pathway you have chosen, the level of study you’ve opted for and the modules you have selected. So you can build a qualification specific to your individual requirements. 

About

Reflecting UK and international benchmarks, our Advanced Professional Practice programme has been designed to help experienced professionals meet these changes head-on, with improved ways of working and a positive impact on patient health.

Our programme is based on the four pillars of advanced practice: clinical, research, education, and management. Through it you’ll develop your expertise in leadership, innovation, and change management. You will also further your skills in research appraisal, evidence-based practice, and decision-making, enabling you to deliver the best possible care.

Admissions Live Chat

WHATEVER YOU LOVE, GO FURTHER

Whether you want to diversify or specialise – explore your options.

FIND YOUR PLACE >

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

You will experience a range of assessment methods throughout the course, which have been carefully considered to demonstrate learning across all the pillars and principles of advanced practice.

Formative and summative assessment strategies across the programme include written assignments, unseen examinations, case studies, practical examinations, group presentations and portfolio.

Structure

You will have the choice of two pathways, Clinical or Leadership, each of which provides a range of core and optional modules. Depending on the modules you choose to complete, you could exit with a PG certificate (60 credits required), PG Diploma (120 credits required) or MSc Advanced Professional Practice (180 credits required).

Some of the optional modules are subject to entry requirements, and in some cases, professional, statutory or regulatory body requirements apply.

If you would like to study any of the above as stand-alone modules - visit our CPD section.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching

You will be taught at the highest level by experienced academics with a programme drawn from the latest research, theories, practice and clinical skills. In addition, our state-of-the-art, purpose built facilities will provide you with an excellent learning environment.

The ongoing quality development of the programme will include change of provision to some modules from a face to face provision to a fully online provision. All of the modules will be delivered via a variety of teaching and learning approaches, student interaction activities and module organiser support. This will enable you to build your knowledge and confidence associated with the module content.

You will be given additional academic support by your individual Personal Adviser. Interdisciplinary student groups will also provide you with enriched learning experiences and perspectives. So you can be sure that you will be supported through your studies by a community of like-minded professionals, academics and researchers – all of whom are dedicated to providing the best education to develop your advanced professional practice.

Independent Study

Throughout the course you will be fully supported as you complete both directed and independent study. This will not only enhance your learning experience, but will also help develop a sound evidence base to support your academic preparedness for an advanced professional practice role.

Admissions Live Chat

How to apply

Explore our research

You must take Using Evidence to Lead & Advance Practice (20 credits), OR Managing Yourself & Leading Others (20 credits) OR Enhanced Clinical Assessment (20 credits).

Assessment for Year 1

You will experience a range of assessment methods throughout the course, which have been carefully considered to demonstrate learning across all the pillars and principles of advanced practice.

Formative and summative assessment strategies across the programme include written assignments, unseen examinations, case studies, practical examinations, group presentations and portfolio.

Compulsory Modules

MANAGING YOURSELF AND LEADING OTHERS

Code HSC-7126D

Credits 20

The aim of this module it to support you in developing a critical understanding of efficient and effective leadership, in order to manage yourself and lead others. You will be empowered to lead innovative change and organisational development through the fostering of a shared sense of leadership and responsibility for the success of the organisation and the development of quality services

USING EVIDENCE TO LEAD AND ADVANCE PRACTICE

Code HSC-7192D

Credits 20

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.

ENHANCED CLINICAL ASSESSMENT

Code HSC-7014D

Credits 20

This module aims to prepare the student to be able to manage complex clinical conditions using scientific and contemporary clinical knowledge to underpin action, reflection and evaluation. It aims to prepare the student to practice safely and effectively, incorporating a systems approach to clinical examination skills: • Facilitating the development of advanced skills in the fields of physical assessment and examination skills. • Supporting the development of practitioners who will advance the boundaries of clinical practice to enable them to manage complex clinical conditions using scientific and contemporary clinical knowledge to underpin action, reflection and evaluation. • Providing in-depth knowledge and understanding of the principles of assessment, the process of diagnosis, differential diagnosis, red flags and appropriate planning of care. • Facilitating the interpretation of routine laboratory investigations. • Facilitating the development of critical understanding of risk assessment strategies. • Supporting critical awareness and acknowledgement of the student’s own limitations and boundaries whilst demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the contribution of other professionals and agencies

Optional A Modules

(40 credits)

ADVANCED STOMA CARE

Code HSC-7023X

Credits 40

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).

FOUNDATIONS OF END OF LIFE CARE

Code HSC-7139E

Credits 20

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.

CLINICAL DECISION MAKING

Code HSC-7163F

Credits 20

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.

ADVANCING PRACTICE IN DEMENTIA CARE

Code HSC-7194H

Credits 20

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.

WORKING WITH OLDER PEOPLE: BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACHES

Code HSC-7195X

Credits 20

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.

CREATING A CULTURE FOR INNOVATION AND CHANGE

Code HSC-7197E

Credits 20

The module aims to enable leaders to manage the business and resources (including people) to meet external targets and drivers by enhancing their understanding of the political, policy and business drivers impacting on the strategic operational management and leadership of their organisation and of healthcare per se. By the end of the module the practitioner will demonstrate: • Critical appraisal of the political, social, technical, economic, organisational and professional environment and its impact on service delivery; • Evaluation of current legislation, policy and evidence; • Utilisation of creative ways to influence the wider organisation/sector; • Expert application of assertiveness skills; • Expertise in identifying, developing and influencing networks to influence best practice in service delivery- • Critical appraisal of a diverse range of evidence and datasets to inform the development of a systematic and well-argued business case; • Evidence of effective decision-making with well-argued rationale; • Developing strategic awareness. These feed into the CLF competencies: 5.1 Identifying the contexts for change • Demonstrate awareness of the political, social, technical, economic, organisational and professional environment; • Understand and interpret relevant legislation and accountability frameworks; • Anticipate and prepare for the future by scanning for ideas, best practice and emerging trends that will have an impact on health outcomes; • Develop and communicate aspirations. 5.3 Making decisions • Participate in and contribute to organisational decision-making processes; • Act in a manner consistent with the values and priorities of their organisation and profession; • Educate and inform key people who influence and make decisions; • Contribute their unique perspective to team, department, system and organisational decisions.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION PORTFOLIO

Code HSC-7199F

Credits 20

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).

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION

Code HSC-7187E

Credits 20

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.

Admissions Live Chat

How to apply

Explore our research

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.

PG Certificate ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE - DISTANCE LEARNING