An employers’ guide to:
Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Level 7) MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Bucks New University’s Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) Apprenticeship programme is based on our successful MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner programme, which has been developed in response to an emerging healthcare roles and service requirements. Advanced Clinical Practice embodies the ability to manage clinical care in partnership with individuals, families and carers. The Advanced Clinical Practitioner is an autonomous role, carrying out a full range of duties in relation to an individual’s physical and mental healthcare needs, 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. This apprenticeship programme includes the four pillars of advanced practice: clinical practice, leadership, education and research. Within it is embedded the demonstration of core capabilities and area specific clinical competencies, and alignment to the Apprenticeship Standards. The programme aims to: • Develop Advanced Clinical Practitioner Apprentices with a high level of autonomy and decision-making skills, who are able to use person-centred approach to manage complex and unpredictable clinical situations. • To enable the utilisation of a range of appropriate skills and knowledge with regards clinical investigations, tests and assessments to support diagnostic decision-making and the evaluation of therapeutic interventions. • To facilitate inter-professional collaboration and cross-boundary working to formulate a plan of care relevant in a variety of healthcare settings. • To encourage the apprentice to undertake research, educational and leadership activities to enhance organisational culture and improve service and patient outcomes. The programme comprises core and optional modules relevant to the individual apprentices’ development needs and relevant clinical practice.
Qualification The Advanced Clinical Practitioner Apprenticeship enables apprentices to combine expert clinical skills with research, education and clinical leadership within their scope of practice. Those completing the programme will achieve the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Level 7). Other awards are available on programme (exit qualifications), for example Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) requiring 60 credits, and Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) requiring 120 credits. Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.
Duration The Advanced Clinical Practitioner Apprenticeship is a three-year part-time programme. Apprenticeships are work-based. Training and assessment predominantly take place within the apprentice’s institution, with 20 per cent of their contracted hours dedicated to ‘off the job training’.
Programme Structure Core Modules • Developing Professional Skills: Physical Assessment of the Adult - 30 credits • Developing Professional Behaviour: Clinical Reasoning Skills for Advanced Practice - 30 credits • Research and Work-Based Project - 40 credits • End Point Assessment - 20 credits
Optional Modules • Clinical Decision-Making for Non-Medical Prescribing (Nurses/Midwives/Allied Health Professional) • Applied Pharmacology for Non-Medical Prescribing (Nurses/Midwives/Allied Health Professional/ Pharmacist) • Leadership, Management and Professional Issues • Respiratory Care • Cardiac Care • Cancer Care • Intensive Care • Managing Minor Illness • Managing Minor Injury All 30 credits
Assessment
Entry requirements
The following assessment activities are used on this programme:
Applicants must be registered healthcare practitioners, i.e. Nurses, Paramedics and other Allied Healthcare professionals such as Physios and Pharmacists and have a minimum of three years’ experience in a clinically appropriate role (and a Band 6).
• Presentations - either individually or in groups and are assessed by the tutor or peer assessed. • Essays - ranging from reflection on practice to reports and the development of portfolios. • Clinical competency document - students work in their own clinical areas and are supported to complete the competencies by qualified mentors who are supported by University staff to ensure understanding of the documentation and assessment process. The competences are pass/fail and are not graded.
All applicants applying to the programme will have normally achieved a first degree, or at least 60 credits at Level 6 from a United Kingdom (UK) based University, an affiliated college or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. In addition you must be currently employed in a relevant clinical practice area and have organisational support to undertake this programme.
Working in Partnership
• Viva voce - some clinical modules include a viva as part of the summative assessment, allowing the opportunity demonstrate the learnt theory into a practical situation.
We work as partners, providing a key account manager and dedicated apprenticeship team to support the institution and employees throughout the apprenticeship journey.
• Objective structured clinical examination - used in several modules in order for the student to demonstrate the learnt theory in a safe practical space and assessed by field experts and practice partners.
The apprentice’s link tutor will visit them in the workplace to support their learning. The University will provide a full range of study options to apprentices that meet their institution’s needs.
• Formative assessment - to prepare the students for summative assessments and identify any knowledge gaps. • Work-based project - an evidence-based workrelated project completed in the final year which is relevant to the advanced practice role.
Your Commitment • Work in partnership with Bucks New University. • Work with Bucks New University to develop a programme tailored to the needs of your organisation. • Provide a suitable working environment and facilities to support higher apprenticeships.
Tuition fees
• Ring fence at least 20 per cent of an apprentice’s time for off-the-job training/academic learning.
The apprenticeship levy will be paid by employers in any sector with a pay bill of more than £3 million per year. Those employers will be able to use their apprenticeship levy funds to access degree apprenticeships from higher education providers.
Supporting you every step of the way
Non-levy paying employers will receive up to 90 per cent funding towards the costs of apprenticeships. Higher and degree apprenticeships can be offered to anyone over the age of 19. There is no upper age limit and no cost to the apprentice. The training costs for employers may vary for individuals depending on their age. Apprenticeships can be open to current members of staff to support career development.
Who can apply? An apprentice can be a new or existing member of staff. They must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week and must have the right to live and work in the UK. All candidates must hold current registration with one of the statutory regulators of health and care professions and be sponsored by their employer.
• Help define your requirements and training needs, including how to get the most out of your levy. • Deliver apprenticeships that meet your needs and reduce the burden on your business. • Work together to develop your people’s skills and meet your long-term training goals.
LOCATIONS Buckingham
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AYLESBURY VALE
AYLESBURY VALE
Aylesbury
MISSENDEN ABBEY
Great Missenden
WYCOMBE
CHILTERN Amersham
High Wycombe
SOUTH BUCKS Uxbridge
MIDDLESEX
HIGH WYCOMBE CAMPUS
UXBRIDGE CAMPUS
High Wycombe Campus Queen Alexandra Road High Wycombe Buckinghamshire, HP11 2JZ
BucksNewUni
University Campus Aylesbury Vale
BucksNewUni
Walton Street Aylesbury Buckinghamshire, HP21 7QG
BucksNewUni
Uxbridge Campus
@BucksNewUni
BucksNewUniversity bucks.ac.uk
106 Oxford Road Uxbridge Middlesex, UB8 1NA Missenden Abbey London Road Great Missenden Buckinghamshire, HP16 0BD Telephone: 01296 744 202
For more information visit:
Fax: 01494 524 392 International: +44 1494 605 259
bucks.ac.uk/apprenticeships
Email: apprenticeships@bucks.ac.uk
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This information is accurate at the time of going to press. © Buckinghamshire New University 2018