Assistant Practitioner Higher Apprenticeship

Program Overview

The Assistant Practitioner Higher Apprenticeship is a two-year program that combines university study with on-the-job training. Apprentices learn about health and social care practice, develop skills in communication, legal and ethical foundations, and anatomy and physiology. Upon completion, graduates are qualified to work as Assistant Practitioners in various healthcare settings. The program is funded by employers and provides credits towards higher education programs.

Program Outline

Outline:

Structure:

• The Assistant Practitioner Higher Apprenticeship is a 2-year program offered at the University of Brighton.
• Apprentices attend university one day a week during term time and have one day per week off-the-job learning out of term.
• Apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours on studies.
• Apprentices will have access to learning and teaching resources online.

Modules:

Year 1:

• Study Skills for Health and Social Care Practice
• Communication in Health and Social Care Practice
• Legal and Ethical Foundations of Health and Social Care
• Anatomy and Physiology to Support Health and Social Care Practice
• Work-based Learning for Health and Social Care Practice

Year 2:

• Using Evidence as a Basis for Practice
• Project Planning
• Work-based Project
• Integrative Health Care Practice
• Practice Skills Development

Assessment:

• A range of summative assessment methods are used throughout the program, including:
• Essays
• Numeracy tests
• Poster presentations
• Video presentations
• E-learning assessments
• Project reports
• Oral presentations.
• The assessment methods are related to module aims and learning outcomes.

Teaching:

• Tuition on the program is provided by experts based at the university and visiting lecturers from practicing clinical areas as well as service users.
• Tutors are supported by a Practice Educator within public and private healthcare organisations.
• In the first semester of the first year, apprentices undertake a study skills module.
• The curriculum is designed around inquiry-based activities which encourages a two-way interaction of research and teaching.
• Blended learning is used extensively to engage with apprentices.

Careers:

• Upon completion of the program, graduates will be qualified to work as Assistant Practitioners in a range of healthcare settings.
• The apprenticeship can provide credits into some Higher Education programs aligned to professional registration.

Other:

• The program is underpinned by evidence-based practice and in partnership with public and private healthcare organisations.
• Apprentices will develop additional skills and knowledge based on their employer's requirements depending on the clinical or professional areas they are working in.
• Apprentices will participate in Schwartz Rounds, hour-long sessions where students come together to listen to stories and share reflections in a supportive and confidential environment.

Admission Requirements:

• Candidates usually possess a minimum of Key Skills level 2 in English and maths together with (or part of) a relevant or equivalent level 3 qualification
• Candidates with relevant and substantial work experience but without a recognised level three qualification will be considered on a case by case basis.

Fees and Funding:

• The cost of the learning program is covered by the employer through their Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.