Health & Social Care

You study the core aspects of advanced practice with varying degrees of focus on your area of clinical speciality and develop advanced clinical skills of evidence-based approaches to practice. The course is inter-disciplinary in approach and provides a choice of modules to study in your own area of practice, while developing core transferable skills relevant to advanced clinical practice. Cross-cutting themes include the development of advanced clinical decision-making skills, the ability to develop research-informed practice, the development of autonomous advanced practice and leadership skills. Programme development has been informed by the Skills for Health Teams Competency framework for the role of advanced practitioner (2009), Primary Care now more than ever (WHO 2008) and Community Based Rehabilitation guidelines (WHO 2010).

This course has been developed in response to local, national and international agendas regarding the increased role of primary care and the development of practitioners with special interests. Practitioners are increasingly encouraged to develop advanced clinical skills and enhance their abilities as autonomous practitioners, for example physiotherapists, occupational therapists, diagnostic radiographers, podiatrists, dieticians and nurses.

This course is responsive to the NHS and World Health Organisation modernisation agenda which calls for new ways of working and role redesign.

The MSc Advanced Clinical Practice at Teesside University will enable you to undertake a journey of personal and professional development in a supportive, student-centred environment. Your previous experience will provide the platform on which you will develop as an independent practitioner who can work autonomously taking professional responsibility for your own standards of practice and those of others within a global context.

*subject to approval

What you study

The course combines core modules with a variety of specialist clinical modules. Clinical modules are selected from a range of designated options available as part of our master's level course provision in the pathway handbook, where you can apply your advanced skills to your own area of practice. You will also have the opportunity to choose a master’s-level option from the Education and Training Opportunities CPD brochure. Your final year will provide you with the opportunity to carry out an independent research study.

How you learn

Learning and teaching methods include lectures, seminars, problem-based learning, practical workshops, e-learning and self-directed study and reflection. Academic support and guidance will be provided by the pathway/programme leader, module leader and personal tutor on request. The core research modules (Evidence-based Practice and Designing Research Projects) are also available online for you to study at a distance. The electronic resources available within these modules allow you to adopt a mixed approach to your learning. This can allow flexibility where your attendance might be difficult due to professional or personal circumstances.

How you are assessed

Assessment methods vary depending on the aims of each module. Assessment may take the form of practical/oral examinations and written assignments, which may include a reflective component.

Career opportunities

Completion of the course will enhance your career as a practitioner with specialist clinical skills. This course has been designed to enable you to develop and meet professional competencies.

Entry requirements

Applicants should be registered healthcare professionals with an honours degree (2.2 classification or above). If applicants intend to study some clinical modules, it may be necessary to discuss more specific entry requirements with the programme/pathway leader.

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