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Our Advanced Clinical Practice Masters Degree Apprenticeship at Northumbria University provides an exciting opportunity to those working as experienced, registered, allied health professionals wanting to progress into advanced clinical roles.

This course is aligned with the four pillars that underpin Advanced Clinical Practice, introduced by the Multi-Professional Framework of Advanced Clinical Practice by Health Education England in 2017 and includes clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research . It is ideal for multi-professionals within healthcare and opens career opportunities from a variety of clinical backgrounds, in both acute and primary care sectors. It provides an advanced level of training and education to help meet the changing needs of healthcare provision, equipping you with the skills and abilities to work at an advanced level of practice. 

Our Advanced Clinical Practice Degree Apprenticeship will equip you with new, specialist practitioner knowledge to help you adapt to change. It aims to enable innovative solutions and develop new ways of working to improve, transform and streamline service delivery. There are 6 specialist pathways including, Primary Care, Emergency Care, Cancer Care, Palliative Care, Learning Disability and Mental Health.

Please note: Admission to the apprenticeship requires that you are employed as a registered health practitioner, working in a relevant setting and be sponsored by your organisation.You will be supported by an academic supervisor and you will need to identify a practice supervisor to mentor you through the course. If an agreement needs to be established please ask your employer to contact degree.apprenticeships@northumbria.ac.uk. An offer to join the course can only be made once the agreement is in place.

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
3 years part-time

Location
Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
January 2020

Fee Information

Module Information

Department / Nursing, Midwifery and Health

Northumbria's Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health offers students the opportunity to develop caring careers that can transform the lives of patients, families and communities.

Business

Practice Placements

Research

Study

Developed in partnership with NHS Improvement and NHS England, the Advanced Clinical Practitioner apprenticeship allows employers to train new and existing staff in advanced clinical practice via the apprenticeship route.

Coming from a range of professional backgrounds such as nursing, pharmacy, paramedics and occupational therapy, apprentices will develop skills and knowledge allowing them to expand their roles to enhance patient care. Combining on-the-job training alongside universtiy study apprentices will develop new ways of working to improve, transform and streamline service delivery.  

This programme addresses the four pillars of advanced clinical practice and takes a work-related approach in which employees will develop personal capability and be able to apply the knowledge to your organisational setting.

 

This course is student-centred and uses active learning approaches to engage you in your learning. You will draw on academic research and experiences of participants, facilitation, case-studies, group discussions, self-study, peer learning, simulations and networking. 

Assessment techniques will be varied and includes 360 degree evaluations and reflections. The course also uses a problem-centred approach in contextualising and applying best practice, allowing you to apply practical lessons to your own context. 

You will work with academics and clinical supervisors to identify and manage your own learning plans. The course will adopt applied assessment, which will enable you to relate the learning gained directly to your current role or a role in which you aspire to work.  

As an apprentice, you will receive 20% Off The Job Training (OTJT) to allow you to meet the demands of your new role. This will comprise of both university study and work-based learning opportunities. Much of this time can be managed flexibly throughout the programme to ensure that the needs of you and your employer are met.   

 

 

The teaching team on this course consists of clinicians and academics who boast extensive experience and knowledge in a variety of healthcare specialisms, bringing their own expertise to the classroom and enhancing your learning experience. They will be there to support you through every step of your course, ensuring you leave with confidence and full understanding of all aspects of this dynamic clinical practice role. 

Your Tutors / Clinical Advanced Practice

Meet some of the teaching team who will be working with you at Northumbria University

Dr Richelle Duffy

Senior Lecturer

Gillian Walton

Senior Lecturer

Dr Mark Bevan

Senior Lecturer

Maureen Jersby

Senior Lecturer

As an apprentice, you will reap the benefits of workplace learning and to add to this you will have access to our Clinical Skills Centre, based at Coach Lane campus that includes some of the most advanced healthcare facilities in the country. Facilities that ensure your learning will progress in parallel with the latest developments in the healthcare industry.

Technology is embedded throughout all aspects of your degree and you will receive ongoing support through our innovative e-learning platform, Blackboard, where you can access module handbooks, assessment information, lecture presentation slides and reading lists. Key lectures will also be recorded to allow you to listen again.

Facilities / Advanced Clinical Practice

Facilities

Discover our Clinical Skills Centre and more

Research is embedded into the structure of this degree, and from the very beginning, you will experience a mix of research-led, research-tutored and research-based teaching. The teaching team are active researchers; passionate about their subject and dedicated to the discovery of new knowledge through innovative and exciting research projects.

You will learn how knowledge in Advanced Clinical Practice is developed through research and how to design and carry out research studies using a range of methodologies. Developing your own advanced research skills and critical understanding, you will have the opportunity to work alongside active researchers at the forefront of research in the healthcare field. You will be encouraged to ask and explore innovative research questions, reflecting upon the research process and knowledge creation, culminating in the production of a research thesis.

 

 

Research / Nursing Midwifery and Health

Discover more about some of the inspiring research currently taking place at Northumbria, within our department and across the wider University through our multidisciplinary research themes.

Departmental Research

Integrated Health and Social Care

Upon completion of the course you will gain an Advanced Clinical Practice qualification enabling you to work as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner working within a wider health and social care environment. You will be given skills and knowledge to help drive service improvements, analyse and interpret clinical tests to help make a diagnosis, and improve patient care.  

 

Entry Requirements Modules Overview

Entry Requirements 2019/20

Standard Entry

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant subject.

Registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council / Nursing and Midwifery Council (or other appropriate Allied Health Professional registrant) and employed in a relevant clinical setting.

Employed as or working towards an Advanced Clinical Practice role.

International qualifications

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry 

English Language requirements

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7 with 7 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

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* By submitting your information you are consenting to your data being processed by Northumbria University (as Data Controller) and Campus Management Corp. (acting as Data Processor). To see the University's privacy policy please click here

Modules Overview 2019/20

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three

Year one

AC7047 -

Health History and Examination (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn knowledge and skills for undertaking a general approach to health history and clinical examination of patients that will help you to achieve capability in the Clinical Practice pillar of Advanced Clinical Practice. You will cover biological systems in order to provide a systematic approach to history and clinical examination. The systems covered in your learning are as follows:
• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory System
• Gastrointestinal system
• Neurological system
• Examination of the ear
• Examination of the eyes
• Endocrine system
• Genitourinary system
You will learn how to review clinical data in order to make (differential) diagnoses, produce patient management plans and evaluate patient outcomes contributing to the Leadership and Management pillar.
To help you to develop your research role in the context of the ACP role, you will learn to interpret clinical evidence to evaluate tests and investigations. This will involve understanding research methods and data applicable to clinical practice.

More information

AC7049 -

Life Science and Pharmacology for Advanced Clinical Practitioners (Core,40 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to allow you to deepen your knowledge of life science and pharmacology science to enable development within your ACP role in relation to all four pillars of advanced clinical practice. You will critically examine the complex interaction of normal physiological processes involved in the control and regulation of metabolism. Within your study you will analyse the manifestations and consequences of altered physiology in response to disease processes. You will also critically appraise the means and methods of measuring the parameters of normal and altered physiology and explore how various drug groups interact with and affect cellular physiology. Each study day will be specific to a body system and focus on the normal anatomy and physiology and abnormal pathophysiology of all body systems critically exploring disease, and disease processes that affect homeostasis. In accordance with the module title, pertinent drugs will be explored regarding the Administration Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination (ADME) process, inclusive of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of the particular drug group, group work will also be utilised to formatively evaluate knowledge throughout the sessions and will prepare you for the written assessment and your MCQ. The module will be delivered through a combination of taught, directed and self-directed study. The module will be summatively assessed in two parts (1) a timed invigilated assessment (TIA), which will be comprised of multiple choice and short answers questions relating to life science and pharmacology, and (2) a 3,000-word essay based on a chosen organ dysfunction and evidence based pharmacological intervention.

More information

Year two

AC7045 -

Evidence Based Competence for Advanced Clinical Practice (Core,40 Credits)

In this module you will develop and build on the Clinical Practice, Leadership and Management and Education pillars of your advanced clinical practice role. You will explore and demonstrate the application of year 1 learning in a competency framework underpinned by a clinical, personal and professional critical evaluation and analysis of the concepts required of an ACP. You will evaluate and explore the development of your competence, capability, confidence and your role as an ACP in leading and managing care. You will learn how your decision making and education has moved into the sphere of Advanced Clinical Practice applying a deeper understanding and application of the principles underpinning the Advanced Care you will now be providing. You will utilise workplace opportunities to focus on your development, to evaluate, underpin and analyse the practical clinical application of the skills and knowledge developed in year 1 and the progression of these skills to ACP level. You will apply the evaluation of your competence and capability to topics relevant to the developing role of an ACP. If you have opted to study for a specialist named award, you will be expected to explore these topic areas in the context of your specialist area of practice and demonstrate achievement of locally or nationally agreed competencies specific to your role.

More information

AC7050 -

Service Improvement and Research Methods in Advanced Clinical Practice (Core,20 Credits)

The module is designed to meet the needs of health and care professionals working in Advanced Clinical Practice roles across a diverse range of speciality and subject-specific areas. It will equip you with the knowledge, skills and behavioural capabilities to transform service delivery and secure continuous quality improvement. It will further enable you to identify and appraise existing knowledge or generate new knowledge in the context of uncertain and complex healthcare systems.

Designed to support you to critically engage in research and service improvement activity, it has also been closely aligned with the Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England, research capability pillar (HEE, 2017; p.10). A key focus of this module will be to identify ways in which you can critically engage in research activity, identify the need for further research or service improvements and facilitate collaborative research links. Support being provided to apply the learning within context of individual practice, disciplines and professional interests.

Throughout the module, you will engage in a wide variety of authentic learning activities and critically examine aspects of the research process and service improvement methods. Utilising good research practice guidance and appraising a range of validated methodologies you will develop a broad understanding of how the various approaches can be used to enhance care provision, promote safety and improve productivity. If you have opted to study for a specialist named award, you will be expected to explore these topic areas in the context of your specialist area of practice.

Module tutors who are also active researchers will support you to adopt a critical and reflexive approach, bringing the research and your role in shaping it to life.

More information

Year three

AC7046 -

Empirical Project (Optional,60 Credits)

This module will develop you in all 4 pillars of advanced clinical practice, with particular emphasis on the Research, Leadership and Management, and Education pillars. On this Empirical Project dissertation module you will be encouraged to critically explore a range of approaches to research however emphasis will be placed on your understanding of the world view, design and meaning system that will drive your own research study. It is assumed that prior to the undertaking of this dissertation module you will have undertaken study that prepares you for engagement with a Masters dissertation process and that you will have constructed a robust research proposal that has gained or is in the process of gaining ethical approval from both the University and (if applicable) your employing organisation. In the module you will revisit and deepen your understandings of a range of key topic areas linked to the empirical research process, this will include discussion of world views and research paradigms, the research question, aim or hypothesis, research design, working with literature and theory, developing ethical codes, constructing the research sample, collecting robust research evidence, ensuring quality assurance within your research work, analysing both qualitative and quantitative evidence and writing and disseminating the research dissertation work. You will be invited to attend a series of research seminars during the module and you will have access to a named supervisor for one to one supervision work. Both the seminars and supervision will encourage you to apply the key areas of learning within this module to your own professional context and field of expertise. This will enable you to critically examine how the empirical research process will work best for your research goals and design. If you have opted to study for a specialist named award, you will be expected to explore these topic areas in the context of your specialist area of practice.

More information

AC7048 -

Service Improvement (Optional,60 Credits)

This module will develop you in all 4 pillars of advanced clinical practice, with particular emphasis on the Research, Leadership and Management, and Education pillars. This module gives you the opportunity to consolidate your previous learning in a way that is meaningful to you. The development of a service improvement project will allow you to bring together reflection, theory, action, and practice. You will apply your analytic and assessment skills to a range of change frameworks and, from your findings, select an appropriate framework to plan and conduct a service change which is compatible with the needs of the service user, the service and the practice context. You will learn about influence factors, both internal and external, and in order to take account of multiple perspectives when planning change, you will negotiate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders and colleagues in the planning and implementation of your project, which will include evaluating the impact of any resulting change. Through this you will learn how to successfully operate as a leader, project coordinator, decision maker and auditor. While undertaking this project you will engage in reflective practice, conceptualisation, literature evaluation, relevant data collection and project planning and change management. If you have opted to study for a specialist named award, you will be expected to explore these topic areas in the context of your specialist area of practice.

More information

Modules Overview 2020/21

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three

Year one

AC7047 -

Health History and Examination (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn knowledge and skills for undertaking a general approach to health history and clinical examination of patients that will help you to achieve capability in the Clinical Practice pillar of Advanced Clinical Practice. You will cover biological systems in order to provide a systematic approach to history and clinical examination. The systems covered in your learning are as follows:
• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory System
• Gastrointestinal system
• Neurological system
• Examination of the ear
• Examination of the eyes
• Endocrine system
• Genitourinary system
You will learn how to review clinical data in order to make (differential) diagnoses, produce patient management plans and evaluate patient outcomes contributing to the Leadership and Management pillar.
To help you to develop your research role in the context of the ACP role, you will learn to interpret clinical evidence to evaluate tests and investigations. This will involve understanding research methods and data applicable to clinical practice.

More information

AC7049 -

Life Science and Pharmacology for Advanced Clinical Practitioners (Core,40 Credits)

The purpose of this module is to allow you to deepen your knowledge of life science and pharmacology science to enable development within your ACP role in relation to all four pillars of advanced clinical practice. You will critically examine the complex interaction of normal physiological processes involved in the control and regulation of metabolism. Within your study you will analyse the manifestations and consequences of altered physiology in response to disease processes. You will also critically appraise the means and methods of measuring the parameters of normal and altered physiology and explore how various drug groups interact with and affect cellular physiology. Each study day will be specific to a body system and focus on the normal anatomy and physiology and abnormal pathophysiology of all body systems critically exploring disease, and disease processes that affect homeostasis. In accordance with the module title, pertinent drugs will be explored regarding the Administration Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination (ADME) process, inclusive of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of the particular drug group, group work will also be utilised to formatively evaluate knowledge throughout the sessions and will prepare you for the written assessment and your MCQ. The module will be delivered through a combination of taught, directed and self-directed study. The module will be summatively assessed in two parts (1) a timed invigilated assessment (TIA), which will be comprised of multiple choice and short answers questions relating to life science and pharmacology, and (2) a 3,000-word essay based on a chosen organ dysfunction and evidence based pharmacological intervention.

More information

Year two

AC7045 -

Evidence Based Competence for Advanced Clinical Practice (Core,40 Credits)

In this module you will develop and build on the Clinical Practice, Leadership and Management and Education pillars of your advanced clinical practice role. You will explore and demonstrate the application of year 1 learning in a competency framework underpinned by a clinical, personal and professional critical evaluation and analysis of the concepts required of an ACP. You will evaluate and explore the development of your competence, capability, confidence and your role as an ACP in leading and managing care. You will learn how your decision making and education has moved into the sphere of Advanced Clinical Practice applying a deeper understanding and application of the principles underpinning the Advanced Care you will now be providing. You will utilise workplace opportunities to focus on your development, to evaluate, underpin and analyse the practical clinical application of the skills and knowledge developed in year 1 and the progression of these skills to ACP level. You will apply the evaluation of your competence and capability to topics relevant to the developing role of an ACP. If you have opted to study for a specialist named award, you will be expected to explore these topic areas in the context of your specialist area of practice and demonstrate achievement of locally or nationally agreed competencies specific to your role.

More information

AC7050 -

Service Improvement and Research Methods in Advanced Clinical Practice (Core,20 Credits)

The module is designed to meet the needs of health and care professionals working in Advanced Clinical Practice roles across a diverse range of speciality and subject-specific areas. It will equip you with the knowledge, skills and behavioural capabilities to transform service delivery and secure continuous quality improvement. It will further enable you to identify and appraise existing knowledge or generate new knowledge in the context of uncertain and complex healthcare systems.

Designed to support you to critically engage in research and service improvement activity, it has also been closely aligned with the Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England, research capability pillar (HEE, 2017; p.10). A key focus of this module will be to identify ways in which you can critically engage in research activity, identify the need for further research or service improvements and facilitate collaborative research links. Support being provided to apply the learning within context of individual practice, disciplines and professional interests.

Throughout the module, you will engage in a wide variety of authentic learning activities and critically examine aspects of the research process and service improvement methods. Utilising good research practice guidance and appraising a range of validated methodologies you will develop a broad understanding of how the various approaches can be used to enhance care provision, promote safety and improve productivity. If you have opted to study for a specialist named award, you will be expected to explore these topic areas in the context of your specialist area of practice.

Module tutors who are also active researchers will support you to adopt a critical and reflexive approach, bringing the research and your role in shaping it to life.

More information

Year three

AC7046 -

Empirical Project (Optional,60 Credits)

This module will develop you in all 4 pillars of advanced clinical practice, with particular emphasis on the Research, Leadership and Management, and Education pillars. On this Empirical Project dissertation module you will be encouraged to critically explore a range of approaches to research however emphasis will be placed on your understanding of the world view, design and meaning system that will drive your own research study. It is assumed that prior to the undertaking of this dissertation module you will have undertaken study that prepares you for engagement with a Masters dissertation process and that you will have constructed a robust research proposal that has gained or is in the process of gaining ethical approval from both the University and (if applicable) your employing organisation. In the module you will revisit and deepen your understandings of a range of key topic areas linked to the empirical research process, this will include discussion of world views and research paradigms, the research question, aim or hypothesis, research design, working with literature and theory, developing ethical codes, constructing the research sample, collecting robust research evidence, ensuring quality assurance within your research work, analysing both qualitative and quantitative evidence and writing and disseminating the research dissertation work. You will be invited to attend a series of research seminars during the module and you will have access to a named supervisor for one to one supervision work. Both the seminars and supervision will encourage you to apply the key areas of learning within this module to your own professional context and field of expertise. This will enable you to critically examine how the empirical research process will work best for your research goals and design. If you have opted to study for a specialist named award, you will be expected to explore these topic areas in the context of your specialist area of practice.

More information

AC7048 -

Service Improvement (Optional,60 Credits)

This module will develop you in all 4 pillars of advanced clinical practice, with particular emphasis on the Research, Leadership and Management, and Education pillars. This module gives you the opportunity to consolidate your previous learning in a way that is meaningful to you. The development of a service improvement project will allow you to bring together reflection, theory, action, and practice. You will apply your analytic and assessment skills to a range of change frameworks and, from your findings, select an appropriate framework to plan and conduct a service change which is compatible with the needs of the service user, the service and the practice context. You will learn about influence factors, both internal and external, and in order to take account of multiple perspectives when planning change, you will negotiate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders and colleagues in the planning and implementation of your project, which will include evaluating the impact of any resulting change. Through this you will learn how to successfully operate as a leader, project coordinator, decision maker and auditor. While undertaking this project you will engage in reflective practice, conceptualisation, literature evaluation, relevant data collection and project planning and change management. If you have opted to study for a specialist named award, you will be expected to explore these topic areas in the context of your specialist area of practice.

More information

Any Questions?

Our admissions team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901.

Contact Details for Applicants:

bc.applicantservices@northumbria.ac.uk

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Your Learning Experience find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

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 Admissions Policy - northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
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