Autonomous Healthcare Practice

MSc

The course aims to ensure that senior practitioners are able to work to an acceptable level of autonomous practice and provides the knowledge and skills framework appropriate to career development at a senior level.

Overview
Content
Additional information
How to apply
Fees and funding

Course level

Postgraduate

Modes of study

Part time, Full time

Attendance

Part-time or full-time.

Location

Park Campus

Entry requirements

The award is restricted to those healthcare professionals currently employed in an advanced practitioner position and support of employers is sought in relation to study release and clinical supervision. Applicants should normally hold a good first degree in a relevant area.

UKPASS code

037313 - view details at UKPASS

School

School of Health

Course content

Students will be encouraged to compose higher level thinking to inform clinical decision making and to promote and facilitate inter-agency and inter-professional working. Successful students will become leaders in healthcare who are able to empower teams to deliver strategic service provision and will develop greater independence in their ability to engage with their own investigative work.

This covers a portfolio of modules which enable the student to develop requisite knowledge and skills to function effectively as an advanced practitioner.

As well the practical elements of clinical examination and diagnosis the students can achieve a depth and breadth of understanding of the impact of policy drivers, service delivery and leadership challenges that they will face as autonomous practitioners. It will also furnish them with the skills of investigation to challenge and enhance current healthcare practices.

Special course features

This is a multi-professional award
Students are supervised in their development of advanced assessment skills by an appropriately qualified clinical supervisor and assessed as to their competency in clinical examination
There is choice to qualify as a non-medical prescriber by taking the designated module in prescribing

Typical modules

Click here for a detailed list of modules.

Advanced Patient Assessment and Diagnostic Skills
Clinical Interventions for Advanced Practitioners
Leadership: the People Challenge
Advanced Mentorship
Political Awareness
Evidence-based research project

Reading list

Bickley LS (2009) Bates Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking 10th Edition, JB Lippincott, Philadelphia

Porth CM (2008) Pathophysiological Concepts of Altered Health States 8th ed Lippincott, Philadelphia

Assessment

Students will be assessed by clinical assessment, examinations, a portfolio, project plan and essays.

Career opportunities

Students will already be working as advanced practitioners but this programme should give them transferable skills should they wish to move between primary and secondary care settings and to aspire to more senior clinical or managerial positions within their organisation.

For general application information please see our how to apply page.

Fees quoted are for home and EU students commencing their course in the academic year 2012/13. Tuition fees are payable for each year of the course. The fees are subject to annual increases in subsequent academic years.

Full time fees

£4856

Part-time fees

Year 1: £540 per 20 credit module

Funding for some of these modules may be available from NHS East Midlands subject to meeting the required criteria through the Learning Beyond Registration contract which is accessible until March 2013. Please follow the link for eligibility criteria.