Advanced Clinical Practitioner Masters Degree Apprenticeship

Accreditation

Centre for Advancing Practice

This programme is accredited by the Centre for Advancing Practice.

Health Education England’s Centre for Advancing Practice has been established to standardise post-registration education by accrediting advanced practice courses that achieve the standards outlined in the multi-professional Advanced Practice Framework.

Practitioners who have completed accredited education programmes will be eligible to be listed on the Centre’s Advanced Practice Directory.

Programme structure

The three-year programme is made up of two 31-week years and one 30-week year, totalling 92 weeks. Attendance pattern may vary dependent on modules undertaken.

The School of Sport and Health Sciences is a member of the Association of Advanced Practice Educators UK (AAPE UK) which provides national guidance on ACP education. This relationship will aid in future-proofing the contemporary value and quality of the programme. 

With support from the employer, apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours on studies and be able to evidence this. This is a statutory requirement for apprenticeships and the funding is conditional on this being met. Off-the-job learning includes activities which have not previously been a part of the role or furthers apprentices development into new areas.

Modules and core skills

Year 1

• Managing Complexity in Advanced Clinical Practice
• A Research module e.g. Research Theory and Application for Health Professionals
• An Advanced Physical Assessment module e.g. Advanced Physical Assessment, Pathophysiology and Clinical Decision Making (Adult/Child) or Advanced Physical Assessment of Cardiac and Respiratory systems

Year 2

• Independent Prescribing AND one of these modules: 
• Health Professional as Educator or equivalent education module from an approved selection
• Advanced Therapeutic Interventions through Work-based Learning
• Advancing Competency in Specialism Through Work-based Learning

OR

• Advancing Competency in Specialism Through Work-based Learning
• Health Professional as Educator or equivalent education module from an approved selection
• Advanced Therapeutic Interventions through Work-based Learning

Year 3

• Leading a Service Improvement Project
• ACP End Point Assessment

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Upon completion of the programme, apprentices will be equipped to: 

• develop and apply advanced technical proficiency and knowledge in order to provide advanced specialist care and treatment
• proactively utilise systematic knowledge to critically evaluate and challenge professional, ethical and legal requirements inherent in advanced clinical practice
• demonstrate critical synthesis as a strategic leader/ team member supporting continuous learning communities and developing others
• demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and challenge own clinical decision-making to respond systematically and creatively to complex situations
• Critically evaluate current policy and research in the four domains of advances practice
• proactively evaluate and develop methodologies to constantly monitor service user experience and improve the effectiveness of their own and others' practice.

Teaching and assessment

The programme is based on multi-professional teaching and learning within a spirit of enquiry and the active co-production of knowledge amongst staff, apprentices and students, in learning, teaching and research. Learners on the programme are partners with lecturers facilitating an interactive learning community. 

A blended learning approach will be facilitated through My Studies which provides learning resources specific to individual modules, and access to the Brighton Skills Hub and the online library.

The development of the electronic portfolio over approximately two years, provides apprentices the space to explore their role and discover how they are meeting the apprenticeship standard.

Summative assessment methods are used throughout the programme including:

• ePortfolio
• case studies
• OSCE and practice skills
• multiple choice question exams
• written exam
• written assignments
• oral assessment and presentation
• practice business proposal and implementation plan.

The Managing Complexity in Advanced Clinical Practice core module provides an e-Portfolio framework for the mapping of the Institute For Apprenticeships for Advanced Clinical Practice standards. These capabilities are assessed over approximately a two-year period.

Facilities

Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite

Clinical skills and simulation rooms on both our Brighton: Falmer and Eastbourne campuses provide an invaluable tool for assessment and monitoring apprentices' progress throughout the course.

Apprentices benefit from practising skills in an environment that simulates real-life professional experiences. Learning by simulation with state-of -the-art mannequins enables apprentices to practice in a safe environment under supervision, so they can apply their knowledge and skills in professional practice with confidence.

Flexible Learning Environment

The Flexible Learning Environment is an adapted home environment in a residential location where apprentices are able to practise skills and learn from others while taking part in realistic training scenarios.

Every room is fitted with cameras and microphones, so that apprentices can be directed and mentored from the control room while the observation room provides the opportunity to review, playback and debrief.

Employer and apprentice commitments

In order to deliver the programme, the employer undertakes to:

• conduct a workplace induction and set out a contract of employment
• provide an appropriately qualified workplace mentor to support the apprentice
• attend apprentice's progress review (twice a year) 
• release apprentice for scheduled off-the-job training
• have an Apprenticeship Agreement in place from the start of the programme.

Throughout the programme, apprentices will:

• attend the workplace for the agreed pattern as set out in the employment contract 
• record all training sessions and off-the-job learning 
• attend scheduled university learning sessions and complete all assessments as required by the university and End Point Assessment Organisation
• behave in a safe and responsible manner at the workplace and university
• engage with regular progress reviews 
• complete, throughout the apprenticeship, a professional development portfolio.

Staff profile

Daren Briscoe
Daren qualified as a Registered Nurse (RN) in 1996 at the University of Brighton. He has worked at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in both Intensive Care and Critical Care Outreach. 

Daren is Senior Lecturer in Advanced Nursing Practice and Acute Care, leading the  Advanced Clinical Practice MSc and  Advanced Clinical Practice MSc apprenticeship courses.

Fees and funding information for apprentices 

Course fees

As an apprentice the cost of your learning programme is covered by your employer through their Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.

Student finance

Higher and degree level apprentices are not eligible for any element of student finance. This is because they receive a salary instead of the student loan package. However, if you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642 888.

Learning support

Apprentices studying at Higher and degree level may be able to access funding in relation to additional support but this is available through the university and not Disabled Students Allowance. Apprentices may also be able to apply for Access to Work funding for work-based equipment and software. Please contact the Disability and Dyslexia team on 01273 643 799.