Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree

This two-year, foundation degree will provide you with required skills and behaviours. You will gain the training and experience needed to be proficient in the day-to-day role of an assistant practitioner including assisting in patient assessment, coordinating care, carrying out referrals and undertaking clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for the local population and care services. This course will guide and enhance your knowledge of this role and the requirements outlined by the occupational standards.

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By enrolling on this programme, you will be helping to address a growing need for care workers and practitioners within the NHS. The course offers a clinical and therapeutic focus, including applied practice and a theoretical underpinning in accordance with occupational standards governed by the NHS, Skills for Health and Health Education England. As such, you will participate in class-based learning and an extensive work placement (460 hours).

You will develop all the skills and capabilities required to be a competent practitioner and gain the confidence to administer high-quality care. Assistant practitioners must have personal qualities such as kindness and empathy and this course is ideal for anyone who is conscientious and possesses effective observational, communication, problem-solving and methodical skills. You will need to be able to follow complex instructions and procedures.

You will be provided realistic practice for developing your proficiency in patient care, through consistent simulation scenarios throughout the programme. You will be able to learn through trial and error, allowing you to make and correct your clinical errors without adverse consequence and so improving your capabilities to ensure you are ready for the workplace.

Our pre-programmed manikins are designed to train you in the care and management of a variety of patients providing you with deliberate clinical training. When a manikin is perceived as a patient, it provides you with a realistic experience of what it means to behave like a healthcare professional. Consequently, this realism allows you to practice and acquire relational, communicative, and collaborative skills. The experience of learning using a manikin can facilitate the development of your professional identity.

The programme is designed for students who have some healthcare experience and a healthcare qualification (usually at level 3, such as the NCFE CACHE Diploma in Healthcare Support).

This course is validated by Luminate Education Group

Fee

£7,950 Full Time or £3,975 Part Time (per academic year)

Location

University Centre and Keighley College

Start Date

18th September 2023

Duration

2 years full-time | 2 years part-time (Leeds only)

Course Code

77382-10
UCAS Code APH1
University Centre Leeds campus code: 1
Keighley College campus code: K

Study Mode

Full-time

What you learn

Over the course of the two year programme, you will study the following modules:

Year 1 (Level 4): 120 credits

Academic Research and Study Skills (20 credits)

Gain the transferable skills required for undergraduate study and professional practice.

Fundamentals of Health and the Human Body (20 credits)

Explore the concepts of health (both negative and positive aspects) and health promotion.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills (20 credits)

Develop communication and interpersonal skills in preparation for your role as an assistant practitioner in healthcare.

Clinical and Therapeutic Interventions in Healthcare (20 credits)

Investigate aspects of clinical practice, learning how to recognise signs and symptoms of pain and distress in service users and recommend appropriate actions. The module will focus on clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to promote health and wellbeing.

Developing Professional Practice (including care planning) – Work Placement (40 credits)

Develop workforce skills and understand the principles that are required for not only this particular role, but within the sector. The module will cultivate class-based theoretical knowledge and facilitate the application of this to professional practice in the workplace.

Year 2 (Level 5): 120 credits

Nutrition and Health (20 credits)

Focus on the role of nutrition in relation to body function and the impact nutrition has on wellbeing throughout all life stages.

Researching in Healthcare (20 credits)

Undertake research that focuses on an aspect of healthcare. Throughout this module you will explore and review data, draw upon findings and make recommendations for change.

Mental Health and Wellbeing for Care (20 credits)

Get an opportunity to investigate the history, importance and impact of mental health and wellbeing in individuals, whilst developing an awareness of professional practice in alignment with current workforce requirements.

Legal Aspects of Healthcare (20 credits)

Explore contemporary legal aspects of healthcare and the role of the healthcare professional in complying with these.

Continuing Professional Practice in Healthcare – Work Placement (40 credits)

Build upon the level 4 Developing Professional Practice module. Throughout this module, you will learn to critically reflect upon the professional skills required of an Assistant Practitioner and develop autonomy and independence to carry out this role effectively.

Benefits/ skills you will develop

By the end of the programme you will be a well-rounded graduate who is a competent and job-ready assistant practitioner in the healthcare sector

The programme will enable you to develop the clinical, professional and employability skills listed below:

Communication of complex sensitive information using a variety of methods (verbal/non verbal) in a range of scenarios (multi-disciplinary, peers, colleagues, other agency staff)

Demonstration and promotion of person-centred care and support
Personal skills (respect, cultural awareness, privacy measures)
Management of information such as record keeping and data protection (awareness/management of sensitive information)
Self-awareness and the ability to acknowledge when discretion is needed
Awareness of infection prevention and control methods (hygiene, PPE and waste management)
Awareness of safe and healthy working environments
Risk management
Demonstration and integration of clinical or therapeutic interventions
Adaptability
Resourcefulness and problem solving skills
Leadership

You will experience excellent student facilities, a brand new sensory room and clinical resource classroom.

You will be provided with opportunities for placements, mentor training, CPD opportunities and guest lectures through the excellent links between the programme and the profession, working closely with Leeds Health and Care Academy, Health Education England and Leeds NHS Trusts.

University Centre Leeds is one of a few centres to be accredited to run Higher Technical Qualifications in the Health Sciences.

Assessment

This Foundation Degree was written to embed the principles of work-related practice, and therefore, the assessment strategies used replicate the procedures expected upon qualification and entry into the profession.

At level 4 the assessment strategies support students with essential skills for the profession such as care planning, case studies, presentations (group and individual), action plans and report writing. These skills progress into level 5 once a more in-depth knowledge of the sector has been acquired and more challenging methods are included such as mock multi-disciplinary panel meetings, professional discussions, literature reviews, presentations, case studies and essays.

You will also create and develop an evidence based e-portfolio (containing development plans, best practice and evidence of mandatory competencies) through the professional practice modules and work placement hours (460 in total over the two year programme – it is advised that 50% of these hours (230) are obtained during year one).

Where is the course delivered (facilities / classrooms)

Entry requirements


Foundation Degree Entry Criteria
	Typical offer
A Levels:	2xD grades
BTEC L3 Diploma or Extended Diploma:	MP, MPP grade
IELTS:	IELTS 6.0 with no less then 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications:	International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria
Mature applicants:	University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application. *21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL claims:	The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)

GCSE English: Essential	English Language Grade C or above (grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards). Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.
GCSE Maths: Essential	Maths Grade C or above (grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards). Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Numeracy are accepted in place of GCSEs.
Apprenticeship Level 3	Pass
Part Time courses:	Students for part time study are required to hold a full level 3 qualification or the equivalent experience in a relevant subject and will need to be working in the sector.
Placements:	Full time students will need approx. 10-12 hours a week, voluntary or paid placement in a suitable placement on-going throughout their study.
DBS checks:	Students will also be required to complete the Disclosure and Barring Service process (DBS) prior to commencement on placement.
References: Interviews:	An appropriate reference required.  All applicants will be interviewed.

What’s next

Programme Specifications

Course Handbook