Program Overview

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Assistant Practitioner to Radiographer

Course details

Course code

UB8AK

Course level

Level 5

Course credits

60 credits

Next course date

January (subject to sufficient numbers)

Duration

6 months (including 17 weeks clinical placement)

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Course description

• You’ll receive high quality teaching from friendly, supportive and enthusiastic staff, many of who are clinically and research active
• There are opportunities to study with your peers on the undergraduate diagnostic radiography course, and also with students from other pre-registration and graduate entry health and social care programmes
• The course focuses on key competences and the underpinning of core knowledge
• Upon completion, students may wish to continue on to the final year of the BSc Diagnostic Radiography programme which would be self-funded

This short full-time course offers Assistant Practitioners the opportunity to progress from Band 4 to Band 5 in their career. It’s a course which upon completion will allow you to gain entry to the final stage of a BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography course. By successfully completing the BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography course you will be eligible to apply for registration as a diagnostic radiographer.

Currently the programme is restricted to level 5 qualified Assistant Practitioners in plain film radiography. However if you are an assistant practitioner qualified at a different level to this and would like to discuss your particular career aspirations, we would be happy to offer possible further training routes in conjunction with your employers.

We consider this, just one part of our plan to enhance the skill set within the East Midlands, and to recognise the valuable work that Assistant Practitioners do on a daily basis within our hospitals and clinics.

Who this course is for

• Assistant Practitioners in general radiography.

Course team

• Our course team includes:
  • Claire Richards – Physics and technology of imaging / Professional development / paediatric imaging
  • Julie De Witt – nuclear medicine / coaching and mentoring / research methods / graduate skills
  • Sue Errett / Naomi Shiner – Advanced radiographic practice / Image evaluation

Structure, certificates and assessment

• You will undertake an intensive 4-week academic programme, designed to add to your existing knowledge, from which you will begin a series of three short clinical placement blocks. This will expose you to clinical environments you would not normally encounter in your role as an Assistant Practitioner
• Extensive tutorial support is available to support your learning, as well as specific sessions designed to enhance your research, writing, and analytical skills over the course of the programme.

How you’ll be assessed

• You will complete a number of clinical based competences, reflective practice exercises, and a professional discussion. You will also complete a short case report and an electronic poster / short critical narrative.

Entry requirements

• A foundation degree in radiographic practice
• IELTS at 6.5, you will need to be up to IELTS level 7.0 at the point of registration with the HCPC
• GCSE in Maths and English at grade C or above
• You must be in current employment as an Assistant Practitioner in radiography (general)
• You will be expected to produce a portfolio of evidence for radiographic skills
• You will need to complete a occupational health screening form
• You must be a UK resident, this course is not open to international applicants
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required at the point of accepting a place at the University. The Disclosure and Barring Service was established when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) merged in 2012 and will now provide the criminal records checking service for this programme
• Your employer must complete a partnership with the University and any placements which take place outside of Derby, Nottingham or Leicester will need approval from the College of Radiographers' Approval and Accreditation Board

Fees and funding

• Self-funded CPD
  • If you are funding your own study, the module price will be confirmed shortly.
  • Unfortunately no student finance package is available for this course as it does not qualify for student loan support. If you wish to progress to the final year of the BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography to gain your registration to practice, you would be eligible to apply for a student loan for fees and living expenses.

Additional costs and optional extras

• We're committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

Included in your fees

• Uniforms
• Markers, name badges and ID holders
• Radiographic Technique DVD
• Printing and binding of clinical portfolios
• DBS check
• Health screening and vaccinations

Mandatory costs not included in your fees

• Travel to 3 week elective placement in year 3 if out of usual placement rotation
• Suitable footwear for skills sessions and placement, approx. £40

Optional costs not included in your fees

• Theatre shoes approx. 20
• Text books to supplement anything available through the library, various prices depending on content
• Printing costs of course materials if hard copy is desired, approx. cost 5p per sheet
• Society & College of Radiographers student membership if desired, approx. £48
• Attendance at conferences such as UKRC or ECR

Minimum numbers

• Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.

Other courses you might like

• Diagnostic Radiography BSc (Hons)