Advanced Clinical Practice Degree Apprenticeship

The Advanced Clinical Practice Apprenticeship Degree from De Montfort University (DMU) will support experienced clinicians to develop competence across the four pillars of Advanced Practice. The programme aims to progress your knowledge, skills and competence (Behaviours) in: clinical practice and diagnostic reasoning, research, education and leadership.

The programme has been carefully developed in consultation with local stakeholder organisations and is reflective of the vision for Advanced Practice in the NHS Long Term Plan (2019). The course curriculum is underpinned by the principles and guidelines from the Department of Health (DOH), Health Education England (HEE) and Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA).

Aligned to the Advanced Clinical Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard, this programme is allocated a Funding Band of £12,000 by the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA).

Who the apprenticeship is for

Applicants will hold a professional qualification as a health care practitioner and be currently registered with the relevant health care professional body. They should also hold a relevant honours degree (2:2 or above) awarded by a British University or other equivalent approved degree-awarding body. Students who do not have English as a first language must have a combined IELTS score of 7.0 or above. You must also be employed in a role that directly links to the Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) apprenticeship standard and have the full support of your employing organisation to undertake this apprenticeship. As a condition of successfully completing the degree, students must have attained the required functional skills in English and Maths (either GCSE grades A-C or 9-4, or functional skills at Level 2 in both subjects). You will have the chance to complete this during the programme.

There are other apprenticeship entry requirements in relation to UK residency etc. that will be assessed as part of the entry process.

Reasons to study this apprenticeship

Upon completion of this programme you will have a sound base of Advanced Practice having had the opportunity to learn and then consolidate both your academic and, on- the- job, based learning. It is expected that in achieving the MSc ACP (Apprenticeship) your career options will be enhanced. The teaching staff on this programme are either highly experienced ACPs or senior medical clinicians. Those without a clinical focus are research active, mostly doctoral-level academics, with an interest in advanced practice. The staff are committed to delivering high quality, research informed teaching and learning to enhance the apprentice experience in the challenging role of ACP.

DMU ACP Apprenticeship is seeking HEE accreditation for this programme in Spring 2023. On successful attainment of this all ACP’s who graduate with the MSc from this programme will be able apply to join HEE’s central register for practitioners.

Start date: September 2023

Delivery model

The apprenticeship model has been designed to be delivered as a ‘blended learning’ approach which involves accessing learning material through the university’s virtual learning environment, and attending university for lectures, practical workshops and classroom -based activities. This approach caters for different learning needs and seeks to provide a thought-provoking learning experience. Apprentices will be supported and encouraged to develop skills in critical reflection both throughout their taught modules and during their regular progress meetings. Critical reflection is an essential skill which enables practitioners to have the confidence to maximise their learning and professional development in order to maximise the learning experience and future development. Apprentices are not expected to do any study in their own time; time should be factored in to their working week to enable them to complete academic work. The curriculum has been designed with expert advice from clinicians, academics and local strategic partners to address both the academic and clinical demands of the role. This is a Masters level qualification and therefore it is expected that you will take responsibility for devising your own learning plan, and accessing support where you require it. Contact hours in a typical week will be between four and seven hours, usually over the course of one day.

Programme content and structure

Year 1

Advanced Consultation and Physical Examination Skills – 30 credits

Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Clinical Practice – 15 credits

Year 2

Research Methods for Health Professionals – 15 credits

Applied Prescribing (NMC & HCPC Registrants) – 30 credits

Pharmacology for Prescribers (NMC & HCPC Registrants) – 15 credits

Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing (GPhC Registrants) – 45 credits

Independent Study – Advanced Practice- 30 credits (if Prescribing not required)

Year 3

Training Needs Analysis Module – 60 credits

Assessment

This is an integrated apprenticeship which incorporates on-programme academic and workplace learning. The End Point Assessment (EPA) is the final module of the programme and the assessment is set by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

The EPA is mandatory, it is the final assessment which is required in order for the apprentice to complete their studies and be awarded the MSc. The assessment looks to evaluate the apprentices Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours across the 4 pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice and consists of the following elements:

• Open Book Examination

• Presentation of Practice

All apprentices are required to complete a portfolio which will capture the knowledge, skills and behaviours developed during the programme and in the workplace. This will contribute to their EPA and enable apprentices to reflect, plan and evaluate their development. Portfolio software is provided by the university to enable the apprentice to demonstrate and collate all required information. Training and support is provided to enable the apprentice to feel confident in using this software.

Final Award

All successful apprentices will achieve:

• MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice

• Advanced Clinical Practice Degree Apprenticeship

Contact us

For more information regarding any programme specific queries or for ACP career guidance, please contact the programme team:

Cath Watson
Programme Lead E: Cath.watson@dmu.ac.uk

Jo Steventon
Co-Programme lead E: Joanne.Steventon@dmu.ac.uk

For more information, contact us by completing our online enquiry form.