AC7080 - Contemporary Advanced Clinical Practice

The module will be delivered using a blended learning approach, including a combination of guided study, structured core lectures and applied seminars (including enquiry-based learning where applicable). The classroom-based sessions will be interactive and will be designed to help you to explore your topic areas identified within your guided study. You will be expected to participate in class discussion and group work, share your own expertise, contribute and develop debate and make recommendations for practice. The core lectures will focus upon contemporary theories, policy and evidence and will explore emerging issues surrounding the complexities of implementing and evaluating the advanced practice role. The seminars will utilise a case-based discussion and/or enquiry-based learning approach in which you will work collaboratively with your lecturer and peers, and present findings generated from your activities.

You must successfully complete both module assessments. These take the form of a presentation and a written assignment which will enable you to demonstrate your in-depth and critical understanding of advanced level practice, the expectations of the advanced clinical practitioner role holder, and how to apply these to your own role and context.

You will be supported by the module team members, who are specialists in their clinical field, through formative feedback in the group-led seminars and tutorials throughout the module. You will also receive feedback from your peers, as many of the activities are designed to be student-led with module tutor facilitation. Contact with the module team is available in person, via telephone, email and the electronic learning portal.

You will have access to both library and student support services. The latter is offered via a 24-hour IT Helpline, and includes Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Skills Plus (to support your academic work) and an Ask4Help Service for other enquiries. These are all available in person at Student Central on Coach Lane Campus and online. You will be allocated a personal tutor who will provide appropriate pastoral support and guidance during your studies.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Critically evaluate national and international policies, research and professional frameworks defining contemporary advanced level practice, synthesising these into own role and area of practice
2. Critically examine the professional, legal and ethical issues relevant to the broadened level of responsibility, autonomy and scope of practice of an advanced clinical practitioner
3. Critically analyse the leadership and management challenges facing advanced clinical practice in healthcare provision, applying relevant contemporary leadership, management and education theories, and change management models, to ameliorate these

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. Critically appraise and synthesise the outcomes of research, evaluation and/or audit using the results/findings to inform own and others’ practice to enhance patient care and service delivery

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Critically examine your own ACP role as clinician, educator, leader and researcher in the workplace, identifying own learning needs that address on-going professional development across the four pillars of advanced clinical practice

Formative
Throughout the module you will receive feedback from module leaders, practice mentors and peers through seminar discussion of the framework that underpins advanced clinical practice. This will provide you with the opportunity to improve and develop learning through deeper understanding, reflection and peer experiences.

Aligned to the education pillar for the ACP role, you will be required to submit a short PowerPoint presentation which will provide an overview of your analysis of the workplace as a learning environment for health professionals with an action plan for developing this.
(All MLOs)

Summative
You will be expected to submit two elements.

A 3000-word assignment critically analysing the implementation of the four pillars of advanced practice in your own role (60% of your mark). This is an electronic submission via the university eLearning Portal. Feedback will be electronic and individualised to identify good practice and suggest areas for development.
(MLOs- 1-4)

1. A 15- minute presentation drawing on relevant evidence and aimed at MDT/senior managers to outline the purpose and benefits of your ACP role, and how this can be evaluated (40% of your mark). A feedback template will be provided for you to gain feedback from your audience.
(MLO- 5)

1. AC7047/ DA7011 Health History and Examination or equivalent
2. AC7082/ DA7007 Life Sciences for Advanced Clinical Practitioners or equivalent
3.

1. AC7083/ DA7008 Managing Clinical Complexity in Advanced Clinical Practice
And
2. AC7084/DA7009 Professional and Practice Development for Advanced

Based around the HEE Multiprofessional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice, in this module you will explore the four pillars of advanced level practice (clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research) and associated capabilities. The module will enhance your knowledge and skills in each of the four pillars and enable you to analyse and synthesise these to inform your clinical decision-making, focusing on the development and implementation of your Advanced Clinical Practitioner role. The module will challenge you to identify how healthcare policy impacts on your area of advanced clinical practice. To develop and demonstrate your competence, you will be working in a clinical practice setting and your progress in meeting national core and area-specific capabilities will be assessed.

The module will be delivered via a combination of guided study, structured core lectures, seminars and enquiry-based learning. These learning activities will enable you to explore the expectations of advanced level practice and how these inform your role as an advanced practitioner. The assessment strategy will enable you to analyse the development of advanced clinical practice, the expectations of the advanced clinical practitioner and consider how this role will be implemented and evaluated in your service. There are 2 components to the assessment, and you must successfully complete both the assessments.