Advanced Leadership for Health and Social Care Practitioners
This core module aims to provide experienced learners with opportunities to develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of contemporary leadership in the context of an evolving health, social care and educational landscape. Drawing upon learners' existing knowledge base and experience of leadership, the concepts, theories and issues introduced during this module are intended to stimulate critical thinking, creativity and debate. Students will be expected to interpret the key principles of advanced leadership at professional, organisational, and strategic levels.
Work-Based Advanced Skills and Innovative Practices
This module is work-based and aims to support the student as they acknowledge challenges in their current practice. It permits students to advance an area of their professional practice or to study a specialised area of practice. The module aims to enable and enhance a student's vision, specialist skills and creative problem-solving abilities or to develop skills or strategies that aim to push boundaries and pioneer change in practice. The development of specialist and innovative areas of practice are expected to address selective training and development needs of the service and influence the implementation of improved and effective practice with patients, service users and carers. The content of the module will be determined by the students' own specific learning requirements and possibly the needs of their organisation. The module promotes a flexible approach to continuous professional development. Learning will be predominantly work-based (in the workplace, for the workplace and from colleagues and peers) which will require students to be largely self-directed and able to identify their own support needs. A (tripartite) learning contract and plan will be compiled by the student in collaboration, if appropriate, with their employer or academic supervisor/mentor and the module leader. The negotiated learning contract and plan will be critically evaluated in relation to its learning outcomes, the teaching and learning strategies and assessment methods. This approach will enable students wishing to attain achievement of competency to practice in their defined area, to identify and agree appropriate learning outcomes and assessment criteria to meet professional practice requirements.
Principles of Practice in Medical Ultrasound
This core module combines two distinct strands of ultrasound practice and is weighted equally - i.e. 50% of the module addresses the science and technology supporting ultrasound practice and 50% addresses ultrasound professional issues.
A sound foundation in science and instrumentation technology is of fundamental importance and underpins the ultrasound programme. This module will provide an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the physical principles of ultrasound required to perform examinations in a safe and competent manner.
The module is designed to actively promote the application of these principles to the available instrumentation
Enabling the student to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of image appraisal and optimisation.
The role of quality control and performance checks and recent technological innovations will also form an integral part of the content of this module.
Ultrasound practitioners are legally accountable for their professional actions and this module provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of the clinical governance and professional principles that relate to medical ultrasound practice.
Prescribing for Healthcare Practitioners
The aim of this module is to enhance care by preparing Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (Physiotherapists, Chiropodists/Podiatrists, Paramedics, Therapeutic Radiographers) as Independent/Supplementary Prescribers and Diagnostic Radiographers and Dieticians as Supplementary Prescribers using the British National Formulary. The module incorporates both theoretical principles and a period of supervised practice to ensure prescribing competence.
Principles of Diagnostic Investigations
Supporting Anticipatory Care for Long Term Conditions
This theory-based module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the topic area by exploring and evaluating contemporary themes associated with Anticipatory Care for Long Term Conditions. From a bio-psychosocial perspective, students will critically explore the causes and effects of living with a Long Term Condition and the role of healthcare professionals/practitioners in contributing to and leading care delivery/service development. Consequently, students will have the opportunity to evaluate current strategies and frameworks associated with the assessment, planning and implementation of care.
Advancing Practices in Imaging
This module will explore the interdependence between theory and practice to enable the student to demonstrate the critical application of knowledge, experience and advanced clinical skills to novel and challenging situations.
Students will be guided to adopt a critical and analytical approach to reflect on the knowledge and skills acquired in previous learning experiences within the practice-based and/or academic setting to facilitate the process of continuing professional development.
The module content will focus on developing three key skills
- Critical thinking, objectively assessing and evaluating advances in practice.
- Clinical reasoning, in guiding decisions on advances in practice.
- Reflection, analysing and evaluating practices.
Students will be challenged to articulate their clinical reasoning and synthesis and present this information within a professional context.
The students will be introduced to ePortfolios and will be expected to start the process of evidencing continuous professional development through this.
Social Action Approaches in Public Health
Guided by the Social Determinants approach to health, this module aims to encourage and enable students to enhance their knowledge and understanding on how community development approaches aim to support communities to address health inequalities. In addition it will provide students with the skills to be able to critically analyse and evaluate the relationship between public health theory and its application to social action.
Advanced Assessment and Management of Illness and Injury
Within the context of planned and unplanned care delivery, the advanced assessment and management of patients has become a requirement for Advanced Practitioners. Consequently, this module aims to enable practitioners, to develop the requisite knowledge and advanced clinical and leadership skills to assess, diagnose, manage and where necessary, appropriately refer-on patients.
This module covers key themes which include the political, legal and ethical issues that underpin professional development advanced clinical assessment, clinical decision making and management.
Advancing Professional Practice
This module aims to facilitate the development of qualified healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills and attributes in line with the National Health Services' four pillars of advanced practice to facilitate their professional and career development. Opportunities will be provided to develop students' knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles and concepts of professional development. Students will critically analyse and evaluate their personal learning and professional development to identify their strengths and areas for development with regard to professional practice and their own development needs. Through this process of critical reflection, students will analyse and evaluate professional development in national and international contexts and in relation to others such as peers, service users, carers, colleagues and service providers.
Advanced MSK Practice
This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of function and dysfunction of the neuromusculoskeletal system within the vertebral spine and lumbopelvic region. The structural, physiological and psychosocial impact of dysfunction will be explored with particular consideration to pain mechanisms in acute and chronic presentations in a range of groups and individuals. A variety of physiotherapeutic approaches to assessment and management for dysfunction of the neuromusculoskeletal system within the vertebral spine and lumbopelvic region will be considered with critique of their theoretical and evidence-based underpinning.
Students will actively participate in their own learning on this module through independent study prior to tutorials and practical classes where clinical case studies will be used to guide discussion, clinical reasoning and practical application of evidence-based assessment, treatment and management of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction within the vertebral spine and lumbopelvic region.
Challenges in Contemporary Global Healthcare
Infection Prevention and Control in a Global Context
This module is designed for practitioners who wish to develop their knowledge and understanding of the issues involved in infection prevention and management in healthcare. Students will be encouraged to engage with underpinning knowledge from the disciplines of epidemiology, microbiology, infection prevention, health protection and public health. Students will explore the contemporary issues, current successes and need for action at local, national and global levels to prevent, treat and control infections worldwide.
General Medical Ultrasound
This theory/practice module enables students to achieve clinical competency in General Medical ultrasound by delivering the theory underpinning General Medical ultrasound imaging whilst students concurrently engage in clinical practice.
The module learning enables the student to develop:
-in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the anatomy, physiology and pathology associated with the relevant abdominal, pelvic and superficial structures.
Have a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable for medical ultrasound investigation for the abdominal, pelvic and superficial structures
critical awareness in synthesizing information and evaluative skills for the competent and safe performance of ultrasound examinations of the abdominal, pelvic and superficial structures
-technical expertise in medical ultrasound of the abdominal, pelvic and superficial structures being able to perform examinations competently with precision and effectiveness and be able to adapt these skills as required in complex situations.
A learning plan will be compiled by the student in collaboration with their mentor and the module leader to map a structured learning process in the clinical environment to fulfil the standardised assessment methods. This approach will enable students to attain achievement of competency to practice in General medical ultrasound through a robust and standardised assessment strategy, which meet professional practice recommendations.
Clinical Investigations
This module aims to enable the student to evaluate the application of and make informed judgements on the analysis and interpretation of a range of diagnostic investigation techniques in the management of foot and lower limb pathology and with reference to podiatric surgery.
Formative activities to prepare students for the module assessment include case studies at weeks 3, 6 and 9 which are self and optional peer assessment.
Foundations of Radiographic Image Interpretation
The content of the Foundations of Radiographic Image Interpretation (Axial and Appendicular Skeleton) module has been identified and developed to provide the framework on which the development of radiographic image interpretation and reporting skills can be based. The module has been designed to be interactive between the students and the teaching team.
The module is deigned to:
produce a reflective practitioner with the ability to critically analyse the pathological appearances on radiographic images of the axial and appendicular skeleton.
{a practitioner who is able to recognise through reflection and critical appraisal the need to continually develop their competence within their scope of practice.
The aim of this module is to support the development of the advanced practice reporting practitioner with regard to their radiographic image interpretation skills. The aim is also to encourage the health care professional adopt an analytical and critical approach to independent and life-long learning.
Surgical Management of the Foot
This module aims to enable the students to appraise in detail different surgical approaches to the foot taking into consideration patient consent, clinical decision making and anatomical considerations.
Formative activities to prepare students for the module assessment include Peer reviewed critical appraisal of a single paper and discussion groups
Diabetes Care: A Multi-Professional Approach
This module will give a broad overview of and introduction to the various types of Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, Gestational Diabetes, Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults and Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young).
The students will review their understanding of the physiology of glucose balance in health and disease. They will discuss the nature, aetiology and epidemiology of diabetes and the role of the Health Care Professional, both in management of the disease and in counselling of the patient.
An outline will be given of the pathophysiology of diabetes - both macrovascular and microvascular.
Students will develop an understanding of the methods used for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes and the drug therapies currently available and in development.
Discussions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) will allow the student to reflect on this growing area of patient self-medication and to consider the dangers and potential uses of CAM.
Aspects of diet and lifestyle modification will be considered in a culturally competent setting as will the fundamentals of dealing with potential emergencies.
Obesity as a driver of diabetes will be examined.
Important specialist areas of the care and management of diabetes will be discussed such as diabetes and reproduction and diabetes and depression.
The organisation and delivery of health care services will be considered, particularly in terms of the need for a multi-professional approach to the management of diabetes.
Throughout the module, students will consider the scientific basis of diabetes research past, present and future.
Pathophysiology and Chronic Complications of Diabetes
This module will extend the student's knowledge of normal physiology relevant to all types of diabetes.
This module will provide an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the macrovascular complications and selected microvascular complications of this disease along with the scientific basis for diagnosis, the genetic basis of the disease, acute diabetic emergencies and the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of diabetes.
Chronic complications of diabetes will be critically evaluated, in particular eye disease, wound healing, infection and depression.
Treatment and support for these complications will be discussed.
The Lower Limb and Foot in Diabetes – Evaluation of Risk
Evaluation of the evidence base around epidemiology, aetiology and pathophysiological processes that lead to the development and progression of long-term complications of the lower limb and foot in diabetes. Basic anatomy and comprehensive assessment techniques of the vascular and neurological systems as well as structural and functional changes of the lower limb and foot. Skin pigmentation and tone, ethnicity and healthcare inequalities for conditions and healthcare provision. Interpretation of assessments for the allocation of a patient-specific lower limb risk stratification. Multi-disciplinary diabetes foot care models and the role of the healthcare professional. Evaluation of national and international healthcare practices and guidance globally. Psychosocial aspect of diabetes, health promotion and self-management stratagems.
Nutrition and Lifestyle Management of Diabetes
This module aims to develop and extend students' knowledge of dietary and lifestyle aspects of management of diabetes. Students will develop skills in dietary assessment and modification of patients' diets and lifestyles including obesity management. Practical application of the nutritional guidelines for people with diabetes will be explored. The aim is to enable students to be able to counsel patients effectively as regards their diet and lifestyle, in order to optimise glycaemic control, minimise complications of diabetes and optimise quality of life. The role of Structured Patient Education will be explored along with appropriate methods of delivery of care in various settings.
Recognition of Prior Learning through experiential or accredited learning can also contribute to gaining this award.
