Learning outcomes

Educational aims

This MSc Advanced Clinical Practice programme enables you to gain the knowledge, understanding and skills required to meet the capabilities of the Advanced Clinical Practice role. The definitions, role descriptors and levels of practice associated with Advanced Clinical Practice detailed in UK policy publications are reflected in the four pillars set out in the Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice (HEE 2017): clinical practice, leadership and management, research and education. These 4 pillars of practice provide the overall focus of the programme.

The advanced clinical practice role is an important aspect of workforce transformation in the UK healthcare system, and emerging policy and practice will be reflected in the learning and assessment strategies.

MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (F85) will provide the relevant postgraduate education required for health professionals to achieve the capabilities of Advanced Clinical Practice through completion of the three modules:

Non-Medical and supplementary Prescribing (K803)
Developing Advanced Clinical Practice (K804)
Advancing Professional Practice (K805)

Non-Medical and supplementary Prescribing (K803) is an approved programme of study leading to a registerable qualification with the UK regulatory bodies. If you successfully complete this module as part of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice, you will be required to register this qualification with your statutory body/regulator in order to prescribe.

Studying on the MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice will enable students to develop the knowledge understanding and skills required to be autonomous, expert health professionals working at an advanced level within their scope of professional practice.

Knowledge and understanding

When you complete your studies for this qualification, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

the broadened level of professional responsibility, accountability and autonomy for advanced practice including; professional, ethical and legal perspectives; local, national and international policies and perspectives of advanced practice; governance systems; and the research and evidence that informs advanced practice
critical thinking, analysis and synthesis including; research interrogation; independent decision making; problem solving; professional judgement; and relationship building
leadership and continuing professional development for advanced practice in the multi-professional team including; wider socio-economic impacts; digital health perspectives; health literacy and empowerment
the national and international political agendas for the Advanced Clinical Practitioner role in enabling holistic, therapeutic and complex clinical care within their scope of practice
a critical understanding of pharmacology, medicines management, social & psychological interventions and prescribing practice.

Cognitive skills

When you have completed this degree, you will have developed:

an ability to identify the need for change within a service through critical reflection and feedback; proposing, consulting on, planning and leading innovative and evidence-based solutions relative to your scope of practice
to proficiently critically appraise and synthesise current research, audit, complex, incomplete or contradictory evidence, health initiatives, health economics, clinical guidance and policies relative to your scope of practice
the ability to disseminate research, audit and service developments through appropriate media to further advance clinical practice.

Practical and/or professional skills

When you have completed this degree, you will be able to:

undertake advanced health assessment using diagnostic strategies, initiating and evaluating a range of interventions. These may include prescribing of medicines, therapies and care; using person-centred approaches in simple and complex, predictable and unpredictable situations
lead, critically evaluate and develop self and others formulating and implementing strategies in relation to continuing professional development
advocate and contribute to the development of an organisational culture that supports life-long learning and development, evidence-based practice and succession planning.

Key skills

When you have completed this degree, you will be able to:

accurately and effectively communicate through professional leadership, supervision, role modelling and mentoring in situations that are complex and unpredictable and instil confidence in others by displaying clinical credibility and the ability to work across boundaries to promote person-centred care
recognise, acknowledge and respond to the changing needs and wishes of people empowering them whenever possible to make decisions about their care, health and wellbeing
work collaboratively and provide leadership and consultancy to drive service development and influence advanced clinical practices to enhance quality, productivity and value
be able to critically reflect and evaluate your professional practice through self-awareness, emotional intelligence and openness to change, addressing your own learning needs through ongoing professional development to continually develop practice.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

Tuition across the modules that make up the MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice (F85) includes online lectures and seminars utilising video-conferencing facilities, and blended learning utilising online forums, wikis and interactive activities.

Students enter the course with different levels of clinical knowledge (cognitive and professional) and you will be supported throughout, depending on your own learning needs. You will develop the skills and knowledge, seen as fundamental, to work safely and effectively as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in a variety of clinical settings.

Assessment will include continuous assessment via tutor-marked assignments (TMAs), examinable assessment via an e-portfolio, examination and presentation. The assessment strategy will include reflections on clinical and professional practice, case studies, and evidencing clinical competencies, all with appropriate feedback at each assessment point.

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MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice - Learning Outcomes

Educational aims