MSc Advanced Clinical Practice - Apprenticeship

(advanced clinical practitioner integrated degree route)

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Part-Time

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Advanced Clinical Practitioners are experienced clinicians who demonstrate expertise in their scope of practice. Advanced Clinical Practitioners manage defined episodes of clinical care independently, from beginning to end, providing care and treatment from the time an individual (includes patients, service users, clients and customers) first presents through to the end of the episode, which may include admission, referral or discharge or care at home.

They carry out their full range of duties in relation to individuals’ physical and mental healthcare and in acute, primary, urgent and emergency settings (including hospitals, general practice, individuals’ homes, schools and prisons, and in the public, independent, private and charity sectors). They combine expert clinical skills with research, education and clinical leadership within their scope of practice.

Advanced Clinical Practitioners work innovatively on a one to one basis with individuals as well as part of a wider team. They work as part of the wider health and social care team and across traditional professional boundaries in health and social care.

This is a three-year part-time apprenticeship programme to support registered non-medical healthcare professionals currently engaged in or developing practitioner-led, autonomous or semi-autonomous, patient-focused services, in an advanced clinical practice role, within a multi-professional team. The emphasis of this programme is predominantly on practice-based learning and outcomes, and is suitable for healthcare professionals from all areas of clinical practice.

Key information

Next start date:

Please enquire

Location:

Bournemouth University, Lansdowne campus

Duration:

Three years, part time

Entry requirements:

A Bachelors Honours degree with minimum 2:2 in any subject, or equivalent.

You must have been registered with your respective statutory regulator of health and care professions (i.e. NMC, HCPC), for a minimum of 3 years and provide proof of current registration.

Level 2 English and Maths. If you do not hold this you must complete this level prior to applying for the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice Apprenticeship.

International entry requirements:

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally IELTS (academic) 7.0 or above with minimum 7.0 in each component.

Course details

As an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, you will:

Have a high level of autonomy (refers to Advanced Clinical Practitioners working to the full scope of their professional practice) and freedom to make decisions about how people should be cared for and treated and act in complex and unpredictable situations
Use person-centred approaches to taking an individual’s detailed history and examine body systems to help you make a diagnosis
Select, undertake or request a range of appropriate clinical tests and assessments to help you make a diagnosis
Initiate and evaluate a range of interventions, which may include for example prescribing of medicines, therapies and care
Apply a skillset that may have traditionally been the remit of other disciplines so that you can enhance the care and experience of individuals
Analyse, interpret and act on the results of clinical tests and assessments and formulate a plan of care, which may include admission to a care setting such as a hospital, referral to settings for another opinion or discharge from services
Drive service improvements, educate others and provide consultancy services within your scope of practice
Undertake research activities to develop new knowledge and undertake audit to evaluate and further develop your area of expertise to improve care and services for the people you are treating.

Download the programme specification (Advanced Nurse Practitioner) (PDF)Download the programme specification (PDF)

Course Pathways

There are two pathways available:

If you are a nurse then the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Advanced Nurse Practitioner) qualification will be most suitable; for midwives, allied health professionals and other non-medical healthcare professionals, the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice route is appropriate.

1. MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Advanced Nurse Practitioner) (180 credits level 7, ECTS 90) (advanced clinical practitioner integrated degree route) For NMC Registered Nurses only

2. MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (180 credits level 7, ECTS 90) (advanced clinical practitioner integrated degree route) for registrants of the appropriate professional body for their profession

See diagram here

Year 1

Unit 1: ADVANCED PRACTICE: CONTEXTUAL ISSUES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (20 credits)

The aim of this unit is to enable students to explore the contextual aspects surrounding the development of their advanced practice roles, and provides an opportunity to analyse and debate recent developments in practice. In this unit students will reflect upon their current role and develop a vision for their future advancing role within their own practice settings, drawing on relevant research and current health care developments. Students will have the opportunity to attend lectures designed to provide the theoretical background and evidence base relating to the development of advanced professional roles, along with participating in peer group discussions where they will explore, share and apply their knowledge. Debate of current political and professional issues related to advanced practice roles will take place, encouraging students to develop their presentation and peer assessment skills. The unit enables application of a range of research and evaluation strategies applicable to the student’s area of practice and prepares them to contribute to the body of knowledge in their professional practice through research and practice development. This unit of learning is taught jointly with the Advanced Clinical Practice (advanced nurse practitioner) programme, in line with a multi-professional approach.

Unit 2: HISTORY TAKING AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FOR ADVANCING PRACTICE (20 credits)

This unit enables the student to develop their skills and knowledge to obtain a comprehensive patient history, to perform a complete physical assessment of all body systems and to distinguish normal findings from pathological ones. It aims to facilitate the development of advanced assessment skills and the ability to accurately describe observations and findings using appropriate terminology. Students must be employed in a clinical area where they are supported and able to undertake patient assessment and physical examination skills. It is expected, prior to undertaking this unit, that students will have a breadth and depth of knowledge of anatomy and physiology, in particular, knowledge of the cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal, musculo-skeletal and nervous systems. The skills and knowledge acquired in this unit are critical for health care professionals wishing to expand and develop their practice into clinical autonomous roles. In this unit students will be supported by lectures and by practical teaching sessions in which students acquire physical assessment skills through practising on each other in a controlled and facilitated setting. Students will be expected to have reviewed the relevant anatomy and physiology in preparation for each session. Learning opportunities within the clinical skills sessions will enable students to apply theoretical principles to clinical skills. Further practice will be gained within the student’s own clinical setting under the supervision of their clinical supervisor/assessor or other appropriate clinically-based colleague.

Unit 3: ASSESSMENT, CRITICAL REASONING AND DECISION MAKING FOR ADVANCING CLINICAL PRACTICE (20 credits)

This unit builds on the History Taking and Physical Examination for Advancing Practice unit, as students consolidate the knowledge and skills from this unit within their clinical practice. The Assessment, Critical Reasoning and Decision Making for advancing clinical practice unit will enable students to develop the skills necessary to formulate differential diagnoses and develop action plans in respect of a specific client group/presenting problem; supporting the development of diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking skills in meeting clients’ health care needs. The unit will support students in developing advanced skills and knowledge utilising a range of assessment

methods to ensure safe and effective decisions for their clients, based on best practice and a sound evidence base. They will critically reflect on their diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking skills in order to manage complex health care problems and demonstrate an ability to work in partnership with others and delegate appropriately to optimise health outcomes. The ability to establish a therapeutic relationship that empowers and educates clients to their preferred approach to learning, motivation and developmental stage will also be explored.

Most of the learning will take place in the student’s own area of practice where they will be supported by their clinical mentor and lecturer practitioner. In addition, students will attend lectures, participate in group discussions and role play whilst exploring, sharing and applying their knowledge and skills. Assessment of this unit involves the student undertaking a full consultation with a patient, usually at this stage, in conjunction with their mentor and compiling a comprehensive case study related to the consultation, assessment and management of the patient followed by the student reflecting on their advancing knowledge and skills, which is included within their professional portfolio.

Year 2

In the second year of the programme, students/apprentices opt either to undertake the Patho-physiology and therapeutic interventions for advancing practice unit (or Evidencing Professional Learning unit with the same focus of learning) and an Evidencing Professional Learning unit with an advanced clinical practice focus.

Independent and supplementary prescribing (NMC or HCPC recordable) (unit 4/5)

Unit 4a: PATHO-PHYSIOLOGY AND THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS FOR ADVANCING PRACTICE (20 credits)

This unit will enable students to enhance and advance their knowledge and understanding of disease processes. It will enhance their diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills in relation to determining, implementing and evaluating evidence-based therapeutic interventions, of both a pharmacological and non-pharmacological nature. This will facilitate further development of their advanced clinical practice role. In this unit students will have the opportunity to attend lectures intended to provide the theoretical background for practice and participate in group discussions where students explore, share and apply knowledge of applied therapeutics to clinical situations. In addition, students will be encouraged to share their experiences of using particular therapeutic treatments in their clinical practice to gain appreciation of the broad application of therapeutic principles across different client groups. (In the event of this unit not running, the student will opt to undertake an Evidencing Professional Learning unit, focused on the same topic areas)

AND

Unit 5a: EVIDENCING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING (20 Credits)

This is a unit within the current CPD post-graduate framework. The student/apprentice selects an appropriate learning experience that be appropriate to their advancing clinical practice role. This may be a training course, workshop, self-directed learning of an advanced clinical practice skill. The aim of the unit is to provide a structure through which the learning gained in various situations that is relevant to an advancing clinical practice role, can be captured and critically reflected upon, in terms of the impact on the student's advancing role. Alternatively, students can opt to RPL a unit of learning from BU or another HEI against this unit. However, this must be done in conjunction with the programme leader and CPD framework leader, to ensure that the learning achieved is commensurate with that of advanced clinical practice development.

OR:

Unit 4/5: INDEPENDENT AND SUPPLEMENTARY PRESCRIBING (NMC or HCPC recordable)(40 credits)

As with the Patho-physiology and Therapeutic interventions for advancing practice unit, this unit also focuses on enabling students/apprentices to enhance and advance their knowledge and understanding of disease processes. It will enhance their diagnostic

and clinical decision-making skills in relation to determining, implementing and evaluating evidence-based therapeutic interventions, of both a pharmacological and non-pharmacological nature. As an HCPC/NMC-approved programme of preparation, this unit is designed to prepare HCPC-registered healthcare professionals /NMC-registered midwives to prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively from their prescribing formularies as an independent and supplementary prescriber. In doing so, students/apprentices will be required to evaluate the evidence underpinning the practice of non-medical prescribing, critically reflect upon their level of competency in respect of non-medical prescribing and develop an individual programme of learning in practice. Successful completion of the unit enables students/apprentices to meet the prescribing competencies required for their professional body. It is only after the qualification has been recorded on the HCPC/NMC register that a registrant may prescribe. The student/apprentice requires a designated medical practitioner to provide guidance and support and to be part of the assessment process. This may or may not be the same clinical supervisor/assessor as the student/apprentice has been allocated for their MSc Advanced Clinical Practice programme as a whole, depending on the profession of the clinical supervisor/assessor for the full programme.

Unit 6: PREPARING FOR YOUR SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (PSIP) (20 credits)

A service improvement project aims to bring about a measurable benefit to a service or services against a stated aim. This unit aims to provide an opportunity to develop a SIP proposal. It will explore a range of relevant knowledge, skills and attributes to enable the student to prepare for a SIP. The student will gain sufficient knowledge of an appropriate, systematic and justified methodology in a complex professional area; acquire well-grounded problem identification, critical literature review, evaluation, change management, research, practice and/or service development skills; and design an original, intellectually challenging and in-depth SIP action plan relevant to the student's advanced clinical practice professional context.

Year 3

SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (40 credits)

The project embraces both traditional and non-traditional forms of intellectual inquiry and relevant and effective practical management. It demonstrates the student's autonomous and independent ability, within a complex professional context, to create knowledge which expands or redefines existing knowledge and/or develops new approaches to service improvement. The SIP provides an opportunity to implement the SIP relevant to the student's advanced clinical practice professional context; to apply well-grounded research and evaluation methods, change management, practice and/or service development skills and evaluate any subsequent change; and critically reflect on and evaluate the impact of the SIP activity.

ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTITIONER END POINT ASSESSMENT PREPARATION UNIT (20 credits)

This is the final unit of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice programme (Apprenticeship route), which integrates all other units of learning and elements of advanced practice within the apprentice/student’s area of practice. The final unit represents a culmination of the apprentice/student’s learning and professional development to the level of advanced practice, and progresses their learning journey through to exploration and development of knowledge, understanding and skills for advanced practice clinical leadership, management and service development. This unit demonstrates the self-direction and personal responsibility for continuing professional development throughout the duration of the whole programme, and aims to facilitate the student/apprentice’s attainment of the required competences, criteria and standards of practice for advanced clinical practice, as well as being tailored towards the student’s own practice arena, as an advanced clinical practitioner, in line with the IoA Advanced Clinical Practitioner apprenticeship standard. During this unit, as part of the end point assessment preparation, gateway eligibility is undertaken, through a tripartite arrangement between employer, apprentice and the university.

Production and development of a professional portfolio throughout the duration of the programme is a supportive tool for the apprentice as they work towards the gateway and eligibility to progress toward undertaking the end point assessment, following successfully going through the gateway. It is expected that much of the learning for this unit will take place in the apprentice/student’s own area of practice, where they will be supported by their clinical supervisor/assessor and lecturer practitioner. Evidence of their learning and assessment of competence is collected and signed off within their professional practice portfolio. This acts as part of the formative assessment for the unit of learning. If either university staff or practice-based staff involved with the apprentice/student's learning and development and academic and practice-based assessments is concerned about fitness to practice at an advanced level of practice, this needs to be brought to the attention of the apprentice/student, programme leader and clinical supervisor/assessor /manager within the practice setting, to ensure that any practice issues related to safety are dealt with appropriately.

Programme Specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Your application

BU apprenticeship information

How to apply

Further information

Entry requirements

Employer Requirements

You must have a contract of service with an employer which is long enough for you to complete the apprenticeship successfully (including, the end-point assessment). This is expected to be three years / typically 36 months.
You must be employed in clinical practice for a minimum of 30 hours per week and be working to a job description that enables development in line with the occupational profile and apprenticeship standard of the Advanced Clinical Practitioner Apprenticeship.
You must have support from your employer to work enough hours each week so that you can undertake sufficient regular training and on-the-job activity. This is to ensure you are likely to successfully complete the apprenticeship. You must keep evidence of the agreed average weekly hours, including time spent on off-the-job training, in the evidence pack.
On-programme and supervised work place learning should be structured to enable increasing independence and autonomy as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, as the apprenticeship progresses. Your progress academically and in the workplace will be monitored at regular intervals prior to gateway progression.
You must have a suitable, named supervisor / assessor, agreed by your employer and University, who will support you in applying, reinforcing and demonstrating the required knowledge, skills and behaviours within the workplace.
Your employer must allow you to complete the apprenticeship within working hours. This includes off-the-job training requirement of 20% of your whole time equivalent hours, as well as the stipulated on-the-job training.

Information for employers

Academic Requirements

A Bachelors Honours degree with minimum 2:2 in any subject, or equivalent.
You must have been registered with your respective statutory regulator of health and care professions (i.e. NMC, HCPC), for a minimum of 3 years and provide proof of current registration.
Level 2 English and Maths. If you do not hold this you must complete this level prior to applying for the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice Apprenticeship.
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally IELTS (academic) 7.0 or above with minimum 7.0 in each component.
Your employer, in conjunction with your supervisor/assessor and the university, will confirm when you have met the criteria and are eligible to progress to the end point assessment.
The University will uphold all requirements for independent assessment in the end point assessment as identified by the Institute of Apprenticeships, which you need to complete in a maximum three month period
You cannot commence another DfE funded FE/HE programme, at the same time as any apprenticeship.
You cannot use a student loan to pay for an apprenticeship. Where an individual transfers to an apprenticeship from a full-time further education or higher education course, and that course has been funded by a student loan, the loan must be terminated by the individual and confirmed with the University

Careers

After completing this course you will have met the nationally recognised advanced practice criteria and will be in a position to practice as an advanced nurse practitioner/advanced clinical practitioner.

Alternatively, you could to pursue a career as a clinical academic.

Industries you could work in include:

NHS (hospital and community)
Private and independent healthcare sector (nursing homes and private hospitals)
Education
Academic research.