Incorporating the Specialist Practitioner Award (NMC)
GUIDANCE FOR MENTORS
This exciting new course became available at UCS in September 2008. It is a development from the previous, well-regarded, courses in Acute and Critical Care and Specialist Practice.
Within this programme there are two pathway options available to students.
Bsc (Hons) Acute Healthcare Practice Pathway:
This pathway is appropriate for any practitioners currently working in an Acute Care Setting. Following an appropriate period of Post Registration experience, practitioners can access this pathway to consolidate and develop their knowledge and skills in regard to the management of acutely ill patients. Assessment takes the form of a theoretical component coupled with completion of a competency package which is assessed at the point of care delivery. Completion of this programme will lay the foundations for future studies at Masters Level.
BSc (Hons) Acute Healthcare Practice (Speciality) Pathway:
This pathway is appropriate for experienced practitioners currently working in Acute and Critical Care practice settings. Following two years of post-registration experience with no less than six months of this being in the relevant clinical speciality, practitioners can access this pathway to consolidate knowledge gained to date as well as facilitating the development of knowledge and skills in regard to management of acutely ill patients to a specialist level. Assessment will comprise of a theoretical component, as well as a core competency and specialist competency package which is assessed at the point of care delivery. Completion of this programme will make the individual eligible for registration with the NMC as a Specialist Practitioner and can prepare practitioners to pursue a range of Post-Programme Opportunities.
Post Programme Opportunities
With the agreed learning outcomes and the use of a consistent competency assessment strategy, the Programme will enable practitioners to practice within a variety of acute and critical care settings within the same setting. This is in direct agreement with the 'Critical Care without Walls' philosophy supported by the DH (2000). Such flexibility amongst staff will facilitate individual career development enabling practitioners to work within other areas to gain further knowledge and expertise.
There is a clear career progression for students to progress their career into roles including:
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Nurse Consultants
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Practice Educators
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Patient at Risk Team Practitioners
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Lecturers within Critical Care education
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Specialist Practitioners
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Resuscitation Training Officers
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Team Leaders
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Ward Managers
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Hospital at night practitioners
Such roles reflect the DH policy initiatives and supports inter-professional working. Of equal importance is the potential for the Programme to act as a springboard to Masters level study to underpin such roles and/or teaching.
THE MENTOR GUIDE
This guide is designed to give mentors for students undertaking this course some general information about the new course together with some guidance regarding the support that these students will need in the practice setting.
The course team hopes that this information will be useful as an introduction to competency assessment within this new degree course. Please contact one of the course team detailed below should further information and/or guidance be needed:
Programme Structure|
Course Rationale and Philosophy|
Course Aims and Learning Outcomes|
Guide to Competency Assessment|
Example Competency Package Documentation|
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Information for Nursing and Midwifery Mentors|