Continuing professional education

Cancer pathway

This clinical pathway is designed to provide the underpinning evidence-based knowledge and assessment of practice skills to support practitioners in the development required for roles in cancer care. It aims to support practitioners in their professional development working with clients with cancer in a diverse range of settings. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the UK but there is now an emphasis on supporting clients living with their disease promoting recovery and rehabilitation.

Completion of a clinical pathway will enable practitioners to develop towards enhanced career status. The majority of practitioners who undertake these pathways continue to work in the chosen area of practice after completion.

The pathway contributes to education to enable professional development requirements to be met. The modules are mapped against the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework. The pathway is supported by the Sussex Cancer Network.

Students need to complete a clinical pathway of 60 credits from the choice listed.

Two modules are core to the pathway but the choice of the third module enables practitioners to tailor the course to their interests, work setting or client group.

The modules have been developed in line with the Cancer Reform Strategy 2007 and the core modules focus on supporting people living with cancer and those undergoing intensive treatment.

The modules include patients' perspectives, and both patients and their carers contribute to the pathway. Teaching is delivered by both academic and practice staff. Students selecting one of the work-based learning optional modules may have the opportunity to travel abroad.

Some optional modules are delivered at masters level and may be appropriate for those already working at this level.

All modules may be taken as stand alone modules for CPD purposes.

Modules are normally delivered on a part-time basis one day per week during the semester.

Students are expected to be working in a clinical environment with a suitable client group so that theory and practice can be integrated. Practice experience is required in order to meet the learning outcomes and assessment requirements. Students will have a clinical mentor to support their learning in practice in addition to their personal tutor..

Students undertaking the work-based learning modules as optional modules have very specific requirements.

There is a national shortage of practitioners with skills in cancer care.

Previous participants have successfully gained promotion and are working in specialist nurse posts in a variety of settings and with varied client groups.

The clinical pathway is 60 credits and selected from the following choice of modules:

• Living with Cancer (20 credits level 6)
• Acute Cancer care: Supporting patients undergoing treatment (20 credits level 6)
• End of Life: Principles of Care (20 credits level 6)
• Care and management of clients with haemato-oncological conditions
  (20 credits level 6)
• The Administration and Safe Handling of Cytotoxic drugs (WBL 20 credits)
• Work-based Learning modules at level 6 or masters level

There are also opportunities to AP(E)L or utilise RAWL using the established procedures in the school. Examples may include Approved Smoking Cessation or Advanced Communication Skills courses.

For an information pack, including application form please contact the CPE admissions team on namcpeadmissions@brighton.ac.uk or 01273 644016.