Program Overview

CPD Paediatric Clinical Examination and Minor Illness

Level 7 (postgraduate) - 20 credits

Course Aim

To provide an educational package meeting the needs of nurses and other allied professions required to act autonomously within a variety of ambulatory settings, improving the skills and knowledge of said professionals who are the first point of contact for children, young people and their families.

Course Content

• System specific sessions on all major body systems and common illnesses related to those systems including:
  • Respiratory
  • Cardiac
  • ENT
  • Genito-urinary / abdomen
  • Dermatology
  • Musculo-skeletal
  • Neurology
• Professional development
• All sessions related to NMC code
• Learning activities include, keynote lectures, Canvas activities, multimedia, group sessions, practical sessions, problem based learning, role-play / scenario training

Teaching and Learning

This module will centre on the major physiological systems, building on prior knowledge and expertise. This will go on to inform greater understanding of the causes and management of common childhood illnesses, their diagnosis and management.

Opportunity for facilitated practice of newly acquired skills within the classroom will be provided. The student will need to practice these skills outside the classroom in their own clinical setting with their clinical mentor.

Entry Requirements

Qualification Requirements

• Alternative qualifications considered
• We require that candidates are currently employed and practicing within their professional area. Candidates must be currently working in a clinical role where they are able to examine children.
• It is advisable for non-children’s trained nurses to complete the RCN Spotting the Sick Child on-line course prior to course attendance.
• Undergraduate degree
• Applicants should hold a BA/BSc (Hons) degree in a relevant subject at a 2:2 level or higher. We also welcome applications from those who can demonstrate appropriate professional registration and/or experience in a relevant clinical specialty.

Assessment

• A summative clinical OSCE:
  • To demonstrate competence in performing a structured format for physical examination of systems and history taking techniques in children and young people.
• This is pass/fail competency assessment. Students must achieve 60% in all elements of this assessment (3 clinical OSCE stations) so as to ensure a safe standard of clinical practice.
• The competency element is assessed by academics in the clinical area (practice suites).
• This assessment is essential to determine the student's level of clinical competence within their role of advanced practice. The ultimate goal is to preserve patent safety and enhance quality of that care.
• A key element of the preparation for individuals to practice at an advanced level of clinical practice is the formal assessment of achievement of the capabilities, specific to the context of their practice. It is critical to the implementation, acceptance and sustainability of advanced clinical practice that health and care professionals working at this level are widely recognised as having a consistent level of competence. They must also be equally capable of fulfilling the specialist requirements of functioning at this level.
• A written exam (2hrs)
  • Demonstrate mastery of applying examination findings to form diagnosis of common childhood complaints
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of professional issues related to expansion of nursing roles
• Weighting 100% Pass mark 50%

CPD Award

This Continuing Professional Development course can be studied within a Post-Graduate Diploma/Masters award framework where the module is documented within the programme specification or as a single CPD.