Musculoskeletal Injection Therapy
University Certificate in Postgraduate Continuing Education

Course overview

This new module is aimed at clinicians who assess and treat peripheral musculoskeletal disorders and who have developed the clinical skills to be able to autonomously provide this advanced practice therapy.

It will develop your knowledge of the principles of injection therapy and how to apply these safely within your relevant scope of practice. There is an emphasis on clinical reasoning and decision-making ensuring that shared decision-making is central to the practice of injection therapy. 

You will develop your knowledge and skills to safely and effectively utilise injection therapy within the clinical setting for musculoskeletal joint and soft tissue disorders. To be eligible to undertake this module, you must:

• provide evidence of regulatory body registration (HCPC, NMC, GMC)
• provide written confirmation from a mentor that they will supervise a minimum of 10 injections
• provide written approval from your line manager or significant person confirming you are working in a position where the administration of injection therapy is appropriate.

Course details

What you study

In addition to the theoretical components related to pharmacology, documentation and the legal aspects of practice you will be encouraged to use your clinical knowledge to develop your clinical reasoning skills prior to developing the practical skills of performing injection therapy and aspiration. You will also develop your understanding of the importance of providing appropriate patient information and gaining informed consent via effective communication.

How you learn

Taught sessions will be led by both University academic staff and clinicians who are experts in their field of practice. A blended approach will also be utilised with pre-recorded lectures and e-learning made available prior to the face-to-face sessions. The first four days will be six hours in duration and delivered in weekly blocks. You will then spend 12 weeks gaining the appropriate practical skills of injection therapy under the supervision of your mentor. The sessions will be a blend of theory and practical with the use of high fidelity injection simulation models to develop your injection technique.

Session dates for 2021 include:

• 21 April (online)
• 28 April
• 5 May
• 12 May
• 4 August
• 5 August – Practical Examination

How you are assessed

The module will be assessed via a 30-minute practical observed structural clinical examination (OSCE) and a 30-minute unseen multiple choice question (MCQ) examination. Both elements are 50% of the marks. The MCQ and OSCE will be assessed in week 16 of the module. You will also have to submit in week 16, an injection record sheet with documentation of a minimum of ten supervised injections signed by your mentor which is a pass/fail component.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

All applicants will need to submit:

• a letter from their manager confirming approval of the study
• a letter from their mentor with agreement to offer supervision
• proof of qualification
• proof of personal indemnity insurance