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Students
Tuition Fee
Per year
Start Date
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
10 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Courses
Major
Family Medicine | General Medicine | First Aid
Area of study
Health
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2023-09-25-
About Program

Program Overview


Course Details

First contact practitioners (FCPs) work as diagnostic clinicians at the first point of contact in primary care. This stand-alone professional development certificate is ideal if you're an experienced allied health professional seeking to become an FCP. To complete this course, you must undertake a minimum of 75 hours of clinical practice learning in primary care under the supervision of a suitably qualified clinical mentor.

The University of Bolton's expert team will support you in developing the complex clinical reasoning skills demanded for the FCP role. We'll help you build the knowledge and understanding needed to assess and diagnose issues, advise patients on managing their conditions, and refer them to specialist services when necessary. You'll learn about patient presentation at the first point of contact, including emergency presentations and the presentation of chronic conditions. You'll explore the clinical management of patients in primary care, helping you determine whether to refer, test or treat them. We'll consider red flag symptoms in cancer diagnosis, disease progression, acute oncology and oncological emergencies and discuss their clinical management. We'll also emphasise communication and consultation skills and explore alternative consultation styles and the use of digital assessment tools.

Our experienced and knowledgeable team will promote your understanding of the primary care landscape, referral pathways and processes, national policies and guidelines, clinical targets, quality frameworks, and the role of FCPs in primary care. We'll encourage you to consider the implications for patients and staff based in secondary and tertiary care. You'll explore the clinical and safeguarding issues for vulnerable groups, including paediatrics, older people, people with dementia and those with learning disabilities. By encouraging you to consider patient safety, service development, and innovation to improve patients' experiences, we hope to prepare you to facilitate quality improvements in primary care.

Throughout the course, we promote your capacity for advanced clinical thinking, clinical reasoning and higher-level clinical practice skills. We aim to support you in developing a critical awareness and comprehensive understanding of the presentation, assessment and clinical management of patients at the first point of contact, including evaluating the need for investigations and referrals for patients with complex and undifferentiated diagnoses.

Please note that if you do not already have suitable employment in primary care, you'll need to secure an appropriate placement before enrolling on this course.





Highlights

  • This professional development course aligns with stages 1 and 2 of Health Education England's Roadmaps to Practice for allied health professionals, which form the standard of practice and proof of capability in primary care.
  • Our dedicated academic team brings extensive health and social care experience to the course content. Along with their passion for service excellence in clinical practice settings, they're also currently engaged in highly relevant research, which means they can add valuable context and insight to your learning.
  • The course is designed to fit in with busy home and working lives.
  • As you study this course, we'll encourage you to develop the skills, values and behaviours so popular with employers. These include action planning, personal impact and confidence, self-awareness, social and ethical responsibility, problem-solving, initiative and communication skills.




  • Key Features

  • The University of Bolton has been offering high-quality courses designed to meet the health and social care sector's needs for over 30 years, so we have the knowledge and experience to anticipate and respond to changes in the health and social care sector.
  • We welcome allied health professionals such as dieticians, paramedics, physiotherapists, podiatrists and occupational therapists.
  • We review the course curriculum regularly to ensure we include and apply contemporary theories.
  • After successfully completing this course, you'll be awarded an Advanced Professional Development Certificate in First Contact Practice in Primary Care worth 40 credits at Level HE7.
  • Program Outline

    This professional development course offers academic and professional progression in the specialist field of first contact practice in primary care. Completing this short course will support you to become an FCP if you're an allied health professional.

    You can take this course as a stand-alone module or as part of our PgCert First Contact Practice in Primary Care. After completing this course, you may wish to pursue one of the University of Bolton's postgraduate degrees in MSc Advanced Clinical Practice.

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    About University
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    University of Bolton: A Summary


    Overview:

    The University of Bolton is a public university located in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various subject areas. The university prides itself on providing a supportive learning environment for its students.


    Services Offered:

    The university offers a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

      Student Support:

      Provides assistance with academic, personal, and financial matters.

      Accommodation:

      Offers on-campus and off-campus housing options.

      Sport & Wellness:

      Provides access to sports facilities and wellness programs.

      Careers & Employability:

      Offers guidance and support for career development and job searching.

      Fees & Funding:

      Provides information on tuition fees and financial aid options.

      International Student Support:

      Offers specific services and resources for international students.

    Student Life and Campus Experience:

    The university emphasizes a supportive and inclusive campus environment. Students can expect:

      Supportive Tutors:

      Faculty members are known for their dedication to student success and individual attention.

      Active Student Union:

      The Bolton Students' Union provides a platform for student activities, social events, and representation.

      Vibrant Campus Life:

      The university offers a range of clubs, societies, and events to enhance the student experience.

      Access to Facilities:

      Students have access to modern facilities, including libraries, labs, and sports centers.

    Key Reasons to Study There:

      Supportive Learning Environment:

      The university fosters a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for students.

      Focus on Employability:

      The university emphasizes career development and prepares students for the workforce.

      Diverse Range of Programs:

      Offers a wide selection of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various disciplines.

      Affordable Tuition:

      Provides competitive tuition fees and financial aid options.

    Academic Programs:

    The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

      Accountancy & Business

      Apprenticeships

      Biomedical Sciences & Medical Biology

      Creative & Digital Arts, English & Creative Writing

      Computer Science

      Dance, Musical Theatre & Performance

      Dental Sciences

      Education, Early Years and Teacher Training

      Engineering, Motorsport and Construction

      Film FX, Film & TV Production

      Games

      Health and Social Work & Community and Youth

      Law & Crime and Criminal Justice

      Medical & Paramedic Sciences

      Nursing & Midwifery

      Psychology

      Physiotherapy & Sport Rehabilitation

      Pre-University Study


    Other:

    The university also offers:

      Research Programs:

      Opportunities for students to engage in research activities.

      Summer School:

      A program for students to gain academic credit during the summer.

      Open Days:

      Events for prospective students to visit the campus and learn more about the university.

      International Student Support:

      Dedicated resources and services for international students.

      Alumni Network:

      A network of former students who can provide support and guidance.

      Business Gateway:

      A service that provides support to businesses in the local area.

      Sustainability Initiatives:

      The university is committed to environmental sustainability.

    Total programs
    532
    Admission Requirements

  • To undertake this course, you must offer current professional registration as an allied health professional with evidence of a minimum of 3 years of post-registration experience in professional practice. A first degree relevant to your health care practice is desirable and/or recent study at Level HE6.
  • You must be working in primary care or have a suitable primary care placement agreement in place. As part of the course, you must undertake a minimum of 75 hours of clinical practice learning in primary care under the supervision of a suitably qualified clinical mentor.
  • You must have the support of your employer.
  • You’ll need to provide details of your clinical mentor before enrolment. Your clinical mentor must be a registered medical practitioner or advanced clinical practitioner and have clinical responsibilities in primary care. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate supervision from a clinical mentor to enable you to complete the course.
  • You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
  • If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 7.0 with normally no less than 6.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
  • Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

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