Health & Social Care

The course:

• provides you with detailed and comprehensive knowledge, operative and technical skills for employment as a Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP) in orthopaedic surgery
• develops your critical thinking and decision-making skills in order to practise autonomously within the guidelines of your role as an SCP in orthopaedic surgery
• promotes the ethos of lifelong learning and continuing professional development to function as a valued member of the extended orthopaedic surgical health care team
• develops your research skills to search, retrieve, evaluate critically and synthesise the current evidence base underpinning orthopaedic surgical care practice
• develop you as a practitioner who can provide high-quality care throughout the patient's journey in orthopaedic surgery based on sound clinical evidence and good judgement.

What you study

In Year 1 you complete the module Evidence-based Practice first as this includes activities to prepare for postgraduate level study. The module is designed to augment the skills of professionals required to practise evidence-based health and social care. Research skills such as critiquing research methodologies and effective utilisation of research in practice are addressed. You can opt for a traditional taught approach or an open route in which e-learning is used to deliver content or a mix of both approaches according to your needs. You also learn the core components of the surgical care practitioner role. This includes elements of core surgical anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, pain management and pre- and post-operative care. Core technical and operative skills include physical assessment skills and practical skills such as suturing and knot tying.

During Year 2 you focus on developing a comprehensive and critical understanding of knowledge underpinning practice. You consolidate learning from Year 1 modules and develop advanced technical and operative skills to work autonomously and proficiently when caring for patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. You can choose an option module from the M level portfolio which is worth a minimum of 20 credits. The option module offers you an opportunity to identify your own learning needs and take responsibility for your personal development.

How you learn

You experience a variety of learning and teaching strategies throughout the course. Lectures, seminars and skills sessions develop knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Anatomy lectures, followed by application through practical experience, are undertaken at Durham University. Facilitated workshops develop clinical decision making, history-taking skills and examination techniques as well as intellectual skills such as synthesis, critical evaluation and problem solving. Classroom teaching will be supplemented with electronic materials via e-learning.

How you are assessed

Modules are assessed through a number of different methods including written assignments, observed structured clinical examination (OSCE) and a viva. You must complete 1,100 hours each year in practice; 550 hours in the operating theatre and 550 hours clinical and University attendance.

Professional accreditation/placement

This course is accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons (England). You must be supported by a named consultant surgeon in your speciality and a named manager. You are required to work under direct and indirect supervision of a consultant surgeon, progressing to proximal supervision on completion of the programme.

Career opportunities

On completion you will be qualified as an SCP in orthopaedic surgery. The course design enables you to access a second specialist module independently or you can progress to complete an MSc.

Entry requirements

Applicants should be a registered nurse or allied health professional with a minimum of 18 months post registration and should also:

• be employed by a named NHS Trust as a surgical care practitioner trainee in a named speciality
• be supported by a named consultant surgeon mentor and a named clinical manager
• have two years' current experience working in critical care, operating theatre or an acute area
• have evidence of ability to study at master's level.

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