FdSc Assistant Practitioner

Program Overview

The FdSc Assistant Practitioner course is a 2-year program designed for experienced healthcare assistants who wish to advance their career. Graduates are eligible for Band 4 Assistant Practitioner posts or higher education pre-registration healthcare courses, and may enter the pre-registration nursing course at UWL directly into year 2. Students attend university one day a week while continuing their jobs in healthcare settings, supported by a personal tutor and workplace mentor.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This 2-year Foundation Degree Science (FdSc) Assistant Practitioner course has been designed for Band 2/3 healthcare assistant/support workers who want to advance their career. Assistant Practitioners are experienced staff working in support roles, alongside registered healthcare professionals. They work in settings, such as hospitals, clinics or in the community (eg GP surgeries) and in a range of health and care services for example diagnostic services, rehabilitation, orthopaedics, oncology, end-of-life care, mental health and learning disabilities. Assistant Practitioner roles often cross traditional occupational boundaries, offering a diverse and fulfilling career. On successful completion of this FdSc course, you will:

• gain a formal qualification that directly relates to your knowledge and skill in providing high quality person-centred, compassionate health/social care.
• you will be eligible to apply for a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner post.
• you will be eligible to apply for a range of higher education pre-registration healthcare courses, leading to professional registration.
On this assistant practitioner course, you will attend university one day a week and undertake your job in a health/social care setting for the remainder of the time, helping you to apply the theory you learn, to the care you deliver. We welcome students from a range of backgrounds, including but not limited to, those who work in:
• wards or outpatient areas supporting a nurse.
• maternity support
• physiotherapy
• operating department
• occupational therapy
• speech and language
• GP practice
• radiotherapy
• diagnostic radiology
• pharmacology
On this FdSc course we offer:
• teaching staff who are highly committed and specialists in their subjects
• a variety of teaching and learning and assessment strategies, which will increase your confidence and capacity to learn as you progress through the course, helping you to fulfil your potential
• a personal tutor to guide you through your course and offer personalised feedback on your progress
• study support and a dedicated librarian
• access to state-of-the-art simulation facilities helping you to practice your skills in a safe environment
In your workplace, you will have a named clinical mentor. Your mentor will hold a registered qualification, relevant to your work area (i.e. registered nurse/physiotherapist/midwife). They will support your learning by:
• identifying learning opportunities with you
• supporting and facilitating the development of your clinical skills
• monitoring and reviewing your progress
• assessing your course competencies and specialist competencies related to your area of practice
• ensuring you are working within your scope of practice.
Mentors are given support and training to undertake the role that includes:
• knowledge and understanding of the course competenciesthe role of the mentor and how to support students
• how to complete the competency documentation
• knowledge and understanding of the scope of practice within the clinical area.

Careers:

There are a range of roles and jobs for assistant practitioners across the NHS.

• a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner post/equivalent post i.e.
healthcare science associate
• a range of higher education pre-registration healthcare courses, leading to professional registration
I believe innovation and quality improvement are key to the continued evolution and future of healthcare. I am grateful to have been supported so well by UWL throughout my two years."
• Joe Maslen, Previous Student

Modules:

Level 4:

• Learning Skills Development: During this module you will improve your study skills, including essay and report writing, gathering information, note taking and summarising.
• Assistant Practitioner: Introduction to the Role: This module will introduce you to the role of assistant practitioner.
You will explore how this role has developed to ensure quality and safety in healthcare. You will be able to identify the relevant aspects of human anatomy and physiology related to practice as well as develop the knowledge, clinical and analytical skills related to caring for patients within the health and social care environment. Through simulation sessions and study you will cover a range of skills, including risk assessments, infection control and communication.
• Safe Practice in Healthcare: As you undertake this module you will explore the healthcare environment and consider how the patient, relatives and staff can be protected from actual and potential risks.

Level 5:

• Introduction to Research: You will learn what research and evidence-based practice is, and why it is important in healthcare.
• Pathophysiology for Healthcare: You will learn what happens when the normal function of the body systems is disrupted due to illness or disease.
You will consider the risk factors that can lead to disease, treatments, care delivery, and the impact this may have on a patient’s life. You will examine the care of a deteriorating patient and will learn about pharmacology and medication management. The principles of health promotion will also be studied, providing insight into how you can help people improve their health and wellbeing.
• Improving the Quality of Care: This modules explore how we can maintain a high quality of care and how we can improve the care a patient receives.
• Assistant Practitioner: Developing the Role: On this module you will prepare for the transition from your role as healthcare assistant to assistant practitioner.