| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
This master’s course aims to provide continuing professional development for healthcare professionals from a range of backgrounds and is rooted in Health Education England’s National Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice (2017).
This degree is aimed at healthcare practitioners who want the opportunity to make a real difference and improve standards of practice throughout all aspects of healthcare provision.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
This course is aimed at experienced healthcare practitioners registered with a relevant professional body (NMC/HCPC/GPC) who wish to be prepared to fulfil specific Advanced Clinical Practitioner roles, upon successfully completing the course.
Successful completion of the course will prepare you to:
The Advanced Clinical Practice MSc is approved and supported through Health Education England, working across the West Midlands, the West Midlands ACP Forum and West Midlands Universities Advanced Practice Group.
You can study this degree via the following pathways:
It is also available as a Level 7 apprenticeship, which some NHS Trusts fund through the
apprenticeship
levy.
I think it is a fantastic course! I have learnt a huge amount and have achieved things I did not think I was capable of. It has without doubt changed me both personally and professionally through the knowledge and confidence that I have gained. The core course leaders and lecturers are brilliant. There is no question that it is hard work, but 100% worth it. You get out of it what you put in.
Rachael Meadows, Advanced Clinical Practice MSc, quoted in 2020
Program Outline
Year one
Year two
Final year
Year 1 will focus on the key pillars in the ACP framework and aims to cover advanced health assessment, diagnostics, leadership and research.
The modules studied will vary according to the pathway you have selected and will take note of relevant recognition of prior achievement (RPL). Where RPL is agreed this will shorten the overall length of the course.
In addition to the full MSc courses above we also aim to offer a series of study days aimed at healthcare professionals.
Modules
General Pathway
Advanced Health Assessment - 15 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop advanced health assessment knowledge and skills to underpin your advancing practice role. The module is designed for practitioners from a variety of practice settings across the lifespan and those who work in an autonomous capacity, carrying out patient assessments that normally include formulating a diagnosis and performing investigations, as a precursor for clinical decision-making and management.
Diagnostics and Clinical Management - 15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to establish a baseline in advancement of your autonomous role in the delivery of clinical management and care to individual patients and patient groups. It will also enable you to critically evaluate the impact of advanced clinical practice on the effectiveness of patient journeys. The emphasis will be on investigations (including ECG, X-ray, CT, MRI, blood gases), advanced clinical decision-making and autonomous clinical management. The module is designed for practitioners working in an autonomous capacity utilising holistic assessment, diagnosis, prescription and management of care, within negotiated boundaries (specialist pathway-specific content included).
Advancing Practice - 15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to critically evaluate your current role in relation to the Education and Leadership pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice. Adopting a reflective and critical approach to the appraisal of these pillars will enable ongoing development of principles, knowledge, skills and attitudes underpinning Advanced Clinical Practice. This will facilitate advancing the impact of your role and contribute to the continued development of your professional group.
Research in Advanced Clinical Practice - 15 credits
This module aims to provide an overview of the key approaches to designing practice-based healthcare research for Advanced Clinical Practitioners. It will consider the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research and critically appraise different design and methodological approaches utilised in healthcare practice.
Compulsory
Musculoskeletal Pathway
Advanced Health Assessment
-15 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop advanced health assessment knowledge and skills to underpin your advancing practice role. The module is designed for practitioners from a variety of practice settings across the lifespan and those who work in an autonomous capacity, carrying out patient assessments that normally include formulating a diagnosis and performing investigations, as a precursor for clinical decision-making and management.
Diagnostics and Clinical Management - 15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to establish a baseline in advancement of your autonomous role in the delivery of clinical management and care to individual patients and patient groups. It will also enable you to critically evaluate the impact of advanced clinical practice on the effectiveness of patient journeys. The emphasis will be on investigations (including ECG, X-ray, CT, MRI, blood gases), advanced clinical decision-making and autonomous clinical management. The module is designed for practitioners working in an autonomous capacity utilising holistic assessment, diagnosis, prescription and management of care, within negotiated boundaries (specialist pathway-specific content included).
Advancing Practice
-15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to critically evaluate your current role in relation to the Education and Leadership pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice. Adopting a reflective and critical approach to the appraisal of these pillars will enable ongoing development of principles, knowledge, skills and attitudes underpinning Advanced Clinical Practice. This will facilitate advancing the impact of your role and contribute to the continued development of your professional group.
Research in Advanced Clinical Practice - 15 credits
This module aims to provide an overview of the key approaches to designing practice-based healthcare research for Advanced Clinical Practitioners. It will consider the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research and critically appraise different design and methodological approaches utilised in healthcare practice.
Compulsory
Generic Pathway
Advanced Health Assessment - 15 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop advanced health assessment knowledge and skills to underpin your advancing practice role. The module is designed for practitioners from a variety of practice settings across the lifespan and those who work in an autonomous capacity, carrying out patient assessments that normally include formulating a diagnosis and performing investigations, as a precursor for clinical decision-making and management.
Diagnostics and Clinical Management - 15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to establish a baseline in advancement of your autonomous role in the delivery of clinical management and care to individual patients and patient groups. It will also enable you to critically evaluate the impact of advanced clinical practice on the effectiveness of patient journeys. The emphasis will be on investigations (including ECG, X-ray, CT, MRI, blood gases), advanced clinical decision-making and autonomous clinical management. The module is designed for practitioners working in an autonomous capacity utilising holistic assessment, diagnosis, prescription and management of care, within negotiated boundaries (specialist pathway-specific content included).
Advancing Practice - 15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to critically evaluate your current role in relation to the Education and Leadership pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice. Adopting a reflective and critical approach to the appraisal of these pillars will enable ongoing development of principles, knowledge, skills and attitudes underpinning Advanced Clinical Practice. This will facilitate advancing the impact of your role and contribute to the continued development of your professional group.
Research in Advanced Clinical Practice - 15 credits
This module aims to provide an overview of the key approaches to designing practice-based healthcare research for Advanced Clinical Practitioners. It will consider the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research and critically appraise different design and methodological approaches utilised in healthcare practice.
Compulsory
Neonatal Pathway
Assessment of the Newborn - 15 credits
The United Kingdom National Screening Committee (UK NSC) policy for Newborn Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) is that all eligible babies will be offered the NIPE screen. The screen should be offered within 72 hours of birth and then again at 6-8 weeks of age. This module provides the theoretical and clinical foundation for this specialist area of practice and aims to enhance the Registered Practitioner’s knowledge and understanding of, and develop their clinical skills in, the complete, holistic physical examination of the newborn. The primary aim of this module is to provide appropriate healthcare professionals with the skills to competently undertake examination of newborn babies within a variety of practice settings according to their area of professional practice.
Diagnostics and Clinical Management - 15 credits
subject specific material - The aims of this module are to enable you to establish a baseline in advancement of your autonomous role in the delivery of clinical management and care to individual patients and patient groups. It will also enable you to critically evaluate the impact of advanced clinical practice on the effectiveness of patient journeys. The emphasis will be on investigations (including ECG, X-ray, CT, MRI, blood gases), advanced clinical decision-making and autonomous clinical management. The module is designed for practitioners working in an autonomous capacity utilising holistic assessment, diagnosis, prescription and management of care, within negotiated boundaries (specialist pathway-specific content included).
Advancing Practice - 15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to critically evaluate your current role in relation to the Education and Leadership pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice. Adopting a reflective and critical approach to the appraisal of these pillars will enable ongoing development of principles, knowledge, skills and attitudes underpinning Advanced Clinical Practice. This will facilitate advancing the impact of your role and contribute to the continued development of your professional group.
Research in Advanced Clinical Practice - 15 credits
This module aims to provide an overview of the key approaches to designing practice-based healthcare research for Advanced Clinical Practitioners. It will consider the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research and critically appraise different design and methodological approaches utilised in healthcare practice.
Compulsory
Children and Young People Pathway
Advanced Health Assessment of Children and Young People - 15 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake an Advanced Health Assessment, in relation to children and young people aged 0-18 years. The specialist assessment skills will underpin your advancing practice role in order to carry out autonomous and effective care. The module is designed to develop practitioners from diverse practice settings and healthcare professions and will provide seminal theory and assessment skills education in order to prepare you to undertake the subsequent clinical management of paediatric presentations.
Diagnostics and Clinical Management - 15 credits
Subject specific material - The aims of this module are to enable you to establish a baseline in advancement of your autonomous role in the delivery of clinical management and care to individual patients and patient groups. It will also enable you to critically evaluate the impact of advanced clinical practice on the effectiveness of patient journeys. The emphasis will be on investigations (including ECG, X-ray, CT, MRI, blood gases), advanced clinical decision-making and autonomous clinical management. The module is designed for practitioners working in an autonomous capacity utilising holistic assessment, diagnosis, prescription and management of care, within negotiated boundaries (specialist pathway-specific content included).
Advancing Practice - 15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to critically evaluate your current role in relation to the Education and Leadership pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice. Adopting a reflective and critical approach to the appraisal of these pillars will enable ongoing development of principles, knowledge, skills and attitudes underpinning Advanced Clinical Practice. This will facilitate advancing the impact of your role and contribute to the continued development of your professional group.
Research in Advanced Clinical Practice - 15 credits
This module aims to provide an overview of the key approaches to designing practice-based healthcare research for Advanced Clinical Practitioners. It will consider the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research and critically appraise different design and methodological approaches utilised in healthcare practice.
Compulsory
Integrated Care Pathway
Advanced Health Assessment - 15 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop advanced health assessment knowledge and skills to underpin your advancing practice role. The module is designed for practitioners from a variety of practice settings across the lifespan and those who work in an autonomous capacity, carrying out patient assessments that normally include formulating a diagnosis and performing investigations, as a precursor for clinical decision-making and management.
Diagnostics and Clinical Management - 15 credits
Subject specific material - The aims of this module are to enable you to establish a baseline in advancement of your autonomous role in the delivery of clinical management and care to individual patients and patient groups. It will also enable you to critically evaluate the impact of advanced clinical practice on the effectiveness of patient journeys. The emphasis will be on investigations (including ECG, X-ray, CT, MRI, blood gases), advanced clinical decision-making and autonomous clinical management. The module is designed for practitioners working in an autonomous capacity utilising holistic assessment, diagnosis, prescription and management of care, within negotiated boundaries (specialist pathway-specific content included).
Advancing Practice - 15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to critically evaluate your current role in relation to the Education and Leadership pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice. Adopting a reflective and critical approach to the appraisal of these pillars will enable ongoing development of principles, knowledge, skills and attitudes underpinning Advanced Clinical Practice. This will facilitate advancing the impact of your role and contribute to the continued development of your professional group.
Research in Advanced Clinical Practice - 15 credits
This module aims to provide an overview of the key approaches to designing practice-based healthcare research for Advanced Clinical Practitioners. It will consider the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research and critically appraise different design and methodological approaches utilised in healthcare practice.
Compulsory
Urgent & Emergency Care Pathway
Advanced Health Assessment - 15 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop advanced health assessment knowledge and skills to underpin your advancing practice role. The module is designed for practitioners from a variety of practice settings across the lifespan and those who work in an autonomous capacity, carrying out patient assessments that normally include formulating a diagnosis and performing investigations, as a precursor for clinical decision-making and management.
Diagnostics and Clinical Management - 15 credits
Subject specific material - The aims of this module are to enable you to establish a baseline in advancement of your autonomous role in the delivery of clinical management and care to individual patients and patient groups. It will also enable you to critically evaluate the impact of advanced clinical practice on the effectiveness of patient journeys. The emphasis will be on investigations (including ECG, X-ray, CT, MRI, blood gases), advanced clinical decision-making and autonomous clinical management. The module is designed for practitioners working in an autonomous capacity utilising holistic assessment, diagnosis, prescription and management of care, within negotiated boundaries (specialist pathway-specific content included).
Advancing Practice - 15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to critically evaluate your current role in relation to the Education and Leadership pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice. Adopting a reflective and critical approach to the appraisal of these pillars will enable ongoing development of principles, knowledge, skills and attitudes underpinning Advanced Clinical Practice. This will facilitate advancing the impact of your role and contribute to the continued development of your professional group.
Research in Advanced Clinical Practice - 15 credits
This module aims to provide an overview of the key approaches to designing practice-based healthcare research for Advanced Clinical Practitioners. It will consider the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research and critically appraise different design and methodological approaches utilised in healthcare practice.
Compulsory
Mental Health Pathway
Advanced Mental Health Assessment - 15 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop advanced mental health assessment knowledge and skills to underpin your advanced clinical practice role. The module is designed for practitioners, from a variety of mental illness practice settings, who work in an autonomous capacity and carry out service user assessments. Assessments normally include formulating a diagnosis and performing investigations, as a precursor for clinical decision-making and management.
Diagnostics and Clinical Management - 15 credits
Subject specific material - The aims of this module are to enable you to establish a baseline in advancement of your autonomous role in the delivery of clinical management and care to individual patients and patient groups. It will also enable you to critically evaluate the impact of advanced clinical practice on the effectiveness of patient journeys. The emphasis will be on investigations (including ECG, X-ray, CT, MRI, blood gases), advanced clinical decision-making and autonomous clinical management. The module is designed for practitioners working in an autonomous capacity utilising holistic assessment, diagnosis, prescription and management of care, within negotiated boundaries (specialist pathway-specific content included).
Advancing Practice - 15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to critically evaluate your current role in relation to the Education and Leadership pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice. Adopting a reflective and critical approach to the appraisal of these pillars will enable ongoing development of principles, knowledge, skills and attitudes underpinning Advanced Clinical Practice. This will facilitate advancing the impact of your role and contribute to the continued development of your professional group.
Research in Advanced Clinical Practice - 15 credits
This module aims to provide an overview of the key approaches to designing practice-based healthcare research for Advanced Clinical Practitioners. It will consider the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research and critically appraise different design and methodological approaches utilised in healthcare practice.
Compulsory
Mental Health Non-prescribing Pathway
Advanced Mental Health Assessment - 15 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop advanced mental health assessment knowledge and skills to underpin your advanced clinical practice role. The module is designed for practitioners, from a variety of mental illness practice settings, who work in an autonomous capacity and carry out service user assessments. Assessments normally include formulating a diagnosis and performing investigations, as a precursor for clinical decision-making and management.
Diagnostics and Clinical Management - 15 credits
Subject specific material - The aims of this module are to enable you to establish a baseline in advancement of your autonomous role in the delivery of clinical management and care to individual patients and patient groups. It will also enable you to critically evaluate the impact of advanced clinical practice on the effectiveness of patient journeys. The emphasis will be on investigations (including ECG, X-ray, CT, MRI, blood gases), advanced clinical decision-making and autonomous clinical management. The module is designed for practitioners working in an autonomous capacity utilising holistic assessment, diagnosis, prescription and management of care, within negotiated boundaries (specialist pathway-specific content included).
Advancing Practice - 15 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to critically evaluate your current role in relation to the Education and Leadership pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice. Adopting a reflective and critical approach to the appraisal of these pillars will enable ongoing development of principles, knowledge, skills and attitudes underpinning Advanced Clinical Practice. This will facilitate advancing the impact of your role and contribute to the continued development of your professional group.
Research in Advanced Clinical Practice - 15 credits
This module aims to provide an overview of the key approaches to designing practice-based healthcare research for Advanced Clinical Practitioners. It will consider the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research and critically appraise different design and methodological approaches utilised in healthcare practice.
Compulsory
Modules
General Pathway
Practical Law and Ethics in Advanced Clinical Practice - 20 credits
The aims of this module are to explore and understand the role of ethics and law in accountable advanced clinical practice. You will be able to define ethical concepts and demonstrate insight into the role of legislation in influencing and directing current and emerging clinical practices. You will also have the opportunity to gain understanding of the use of ethics in defensible practice.
Clinical Management of Minor Injuries and Illness - 20 credits
The aims of this module are to enable you to develop your care and clinical management of patients, from across the lifespan, with a minor injury or illness. It enables you to critically evaluate the impact of your practice on the effectiveness of patient care journeys. The module is designed for practitioners working in emergency/urgent care/minor injury/illness, or general practice/walk-in services. You will be a practitioner who works in an autonomous capacity and whose clinical practice utilises broad perspectives of assessment, diagnosis, prescription and management of care, within negotiated boundaries.
Facilitating Individuals in the Management of their LTCs - 20 credits
This module is relevant for practitioners who currently practice in healthcare with individuals who are living with a long-term condition(s). It will focus on concepts which transfer across disease boundaries for individuals and their families who live with long-term conditions. This module aims to enable you to critically examine and synthesize the principal concepts of supporting the care of those living with a long-term condition or multi-morbidities. It will enable the development of independent thinking and consideration of a strategic change in practice to develop knowledge, skill, analytical enquiry and person-centred approaches to people living with long-term conditions and multi-morbidities.
Compulsory
Musculoskeletal Pathway
Practice Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing 1 - 20 credits
This module aims to prepare independent non-medical prescribers for their roles and responsibilities within the practice setting. This is the first of two modules which focuses upon the theoretical elements which underpins the practice of prescribing.
Practice Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing 2 - 20 credits
The second module builds on the theoretical concepts to consider the clinical context of prescribing. These master’s level modules adhere to professional body r