Higher Level Apprenticeship Assistant Practitioner

Delivered in our state-of-the-art simulation suite, you will learn from multi-professionals with vast academic experience in teaching and research. Learn in a supportive environment with clinical practitioners providing a broad knowledge base across health and social care.

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Be graduate ready - specialist modules and pathways designed collaboratively with employers

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Full time

Entry requirements

A minimum of three A-levels

BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma

Pass an Access to HE Diploma with at least 30 credits at merit

GCSE Maths & English (or equivalent) grade 4/C

T Level P-M Equivalent qualifications may be considered, including workplace delivered NVQs

Getting AHEAD Bridging Programme We are looking for applicants who are passionate about health care professions and providing person-centred care.

UCAS points 72 - 120

UCAS code Apply direct

UCAS institution code P63

Duration Full time

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Course Summary

Why this course at Marjon?

Taught by experts within a wide range of multi-professional clinical backgrounds.

Close working relationships with your workforce to meet the needs of the working environment and patient-centred care.

Build your skillset in an academic and community-based environment supporting you to access your development as an assistant practitioner.

Be supported as a learner to become an evidence-based accountable professional with robust critical thinking, clinical judgement, complex problem solving, and effective communication in a working environment with colleagues and patients.

Be adaptable and have learned skills and tools to effectively manage your wellbeing in an ever-changing and fast-paced workplace.

Modules for this course

1st Year

Foundations of Professional Practice 

Contextualise health and social care by exploring its origins, philosophy and priorities – including the promotion of good health as well as the management of ill health. Health and social care have had a continued focus on client-centred practice for some years but have experienced concerns about the extent to which service users may not always have been treated with dignity and respect. Therefore, the module also seeks to explore ethical dimensions of caregiving to reinforce and instil respectful, reflective, professional practice - including the importance of safeguarding vulnerable people.

Introduction to Clinical Skills 

Develop key concepts, models and therapeutic approaches that form the basis of contemporary practice across the lifespan. Develop your communication and clinical skills in preparation for practice and begin to learn fundamental aspects of person-centred care for safe, compassionate, and effective care. You will be required to reflect on professional issues surrounding the clinical practice and the range of behaviours that contribute towards the role of an Assistant Practitioner. You will be supported to explore the context of health, ill health, and disability, and the health and care needs across the lifespan, using a range of person-centred scenarios which recognise the diversity of the patient and client population.

Applied Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Disease 

This module aims to provide an introduction, through in-depth study, to knowledge and an understanding of the theory and practice of the human anatomy and physiology of the major body systems and to characterise the aetiology, pathology, clinical presentation, and treatment of selected human diseases. The module will enable you to reinforce analytical, evaluative, and communication skills, research a topical issue in depth and present it at an appropriate level, and reflect on the topics studied and their application in biomedical practice.

Practice Based Learning 1

Promote your understanding of the responsibilities, challenges, and limitations of your professional role as an assistant practitioner. The module will provide you with the opportunity to develop core clinical competencies and underpin the knowledge required to enhance patient care provision. This knowledge and skill will be limited by a scope of practice and will be developed and applied under the direction or supervision of a registered practitioner. As part of the module, you will complete a competency-based practice assessment document which has been developed to meet the requirements of the level 4 of the skills framework and aligns with nationally recognised competency frameworks. The core competencies are based on National Occupational Standards (NOS).

Positive Mental Health, Wellbeing and Resilience 

The aim of this module is to provide you with a theoretical and practical understanding of positive mental health and well-being. You will recognise positive mental health as a component of total health and explore lifestyle strategies and interventions that enhance mental health and well-being. Common disruptions to mental health will be explored such as stress, anxiety and depression. You will develop practical coping skills that promote positive mental health and wellbeing. This module will empower you to work in partnership with people, families and communities to develop and utilise resources to promote mental health, prevent mental ill-health, and support people experiencing a range of challenges that may impact their wellbeing.

Communication and Working in Teams

This module will introduce and explain a range of concepts associated with e-health and consider some of the challenges around acceptance and use of e-health within multi-professional teams. This is a diverse module with a specific session explicitly considering cross-cultural dimensions of teams and leading across boundaries.

2nd Year

Practice Based Learning 2

This module will enable you to consolidate and transfer your knowledge, skills, and attitudes to specified clinical practice environments required for the care of service users with more complex needs in clinical practice environments. Under the supervision of registered professionals, you will rehearse and further develop your knowledge, skills, and attitudes by providing hands-on care for service users. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the delivery of health and care and the role of the Assistant Practitioner to facilitate clinical experiential learning and the development of work-based competencies, as defined by the nationally recognised competency frameworks and to develop knowledge & understanding as applied to these competences.

Research in Evidence Based Practice 

Develop your knowledge of research concepts and methodologies, how to disseminate research findings, and how research leads to the development of service improvement. This module focuses on the concept of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and the theories and concepts in relation to EBP. You will explore the strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research in health and social care and develop skills to critically appraise both research publications. The skills of critical appraisal will be developed to allow you to start engaging in critical reading of research articles and reports ensuring ‘quality’ in healthcare. This module will encourage critical thinking, analytical and evaluation skills, which are essential for a practicing accountable health care professional and for the implementation of EBP.

Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge to develop and evaluate the general principles of pathophysiology and pharmacology that can be applied to your area of specialist practice and to common conditions that may co-exist with conditions of their specialist area. The module enables you to synthesise theory and knowledge in pathophysiology and pharmacology in order to critically appraise the assessment and management of patients within your clinical setting. There will be a focus on applied pathophysiology and pharmacology to develop an understanding of clinical management relevant to the student's field of practice.

Choose your module

Choose one of three modules (equivalent to 20 credits) - Long term Conditions: Care and Management - Acute and Critical Illness : Foundations for Practice - Foundations of Mental Health Practice

Specialist area specific module

This module will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and attributes required to work and develop as a competent practitioner within the changing health and social care environment within your specialism. The module will provide you as a practitioner with clinical scholarship, research skills, an in-depth understanding of evidence-based practice across the role, as well as leadership and innovation skills.

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How you’ll be taught and assessed?

How will you be taught?

Weekly taught days are mostly delivered on our Plymouth Campus, located close to Derriford Hospital. The programme includes both academic theory and clinical practice, which are delivered side-by-side. During these taught days there will be lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, clinical simulation, group discussions, debates, peer support, study skills and much much more.

How will you be assessed?

The programme specifically prepares students for professional practice and all assessments are there to ensure understanding and application of the knowledge skills and professional behaviours required. Academic assessments include essays, case studies, In-Class Tests, practical assessments in clinical skills lab, academic presentations and literature reviews. Students maintain a Practice Assessment Document (PAD) and Professional Practice Portfolio (PPP).

Paul Horne

Course leader

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Paul has over 20 years experience working in the NHS across secondary and primary care settings, and has been working as a Advanced Clinical Practitioner for the last six years. He has experience in leadership of teams and service design and clinical skills and decision making, with teaching experience in academia and also non-academia subjects supporting the work force to be the best clinician they can be in the ever changing landscape of health.

Lecturers

Paul Horne

Senior Lecturer

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Rebecca Horne

Pre Qualifying Healthcare Lecturer

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Tracey Viney

Senior Lecturer

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Frequently asked questions

Q1 What other skills are needed?

Studying at university is a huge undertaking, especially when you are working clinically and trying to have a successful work-life balance. You will need to be self-aware, motivated, organised, and resilient, with a willingness to learn. You’ll need to have access to a web-enabled PC. As a student with Marjon, you will have access to Microsoft 365.

Q2 What books will I need?

As part of the course, you will be expected to read widely across various sources such as books, research articles, and reviews. Most of these will be freely available online through Plymouth Marjon University. You may decide to purchase key course textbooks and your programme lead/module lead can direct you to specific books.

Q3 What inter-programme student support is available?

We believe it is vital for Assistant Practitioners to have a clear identity here at Marjon and within the wider landscape. Therefore, within the course structure, we have incorporated peer support and group learning. We are also developing an Assistant Practitioner society. We will have regular discussion boards and online forums encouraging sharing of knowledge and ideas. After all, you will have a wealth of experience within your team.

Q4 What support will I get from the University?

Our Student Wellbeing and Support team can help you with a multitude of needs from workload queries to financial concerns to learning support needs. They are based in the Hub but can also be contacted online and can signpost you to plenty of organisations which can support you every step of the way. Our Library also over a variety of study sessions to help you harness your brain into academic study and get the most out of what the University has to offer.

Q5 What will I pay?

The fees are covered by your employer and the Government. You will not be required to pay any tuition fees or take out a tuition loan.

Q6 I am interested, what next?

Discuss the role with your employer and have an informal chat with us. Your programme lead is willing to have an informal chat - just email tviney@marjon.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Fees UK students: £14,000 (correct apprenticeship fees as of 1 February 2023)

Additional costs:

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check
Occupational health declaration (or evidence that one has been completed)
Evidence of all required vaccinations being up-to-date
Travel to and from placement
Accommodation and general living costs
Textbooks
Stationary
Printing/photocopying
Membership of a union (optional but advised)
Possible discretionary trips and activities

Funding available for this course

The fees are covered by your employer and the Government. You will not be required to pay any tuition fees or take out a tuition loan.