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Title :  Postgraduate Diploma / MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice

:  11

Mode of delivery : part-time, work-based learning; Prescribing may be taken as blended or fully online.

Duration :  normally 3 years part-time, 7 years maximum

Language of delivery :   English

First approved:  October 2020

Most recent approval:  October 2020

External accreditation or recognition:  n/a 

The programme includes Independent and Supplementary Prescribing which leads to a recordable qualification.

Postgraduate Diploma Advanced Clinical Practice (120 credits)

The pathway structure consists of three core, 40 credit modules: 

• Advanced History Taking and Clinical Examination for Advanced Practitioners (40 credits)
• Clinical Work-Based Learning for Advanced Practitioners (40 credits)
• Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Health Care Professionals  (40 credits)

MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (180 credits)

The pathway structure consists of the above three core modules plus: 
Dissertation module attracting 60 credits (Semester 1 or 2)

Development of clinical skills and competencies - students will be supported by a practice assessor throughout the core modules of the PgDip in their own work setting. This is to ensure that they are able to develop the required level of clinical advanced practice competence to deliver safe, effective and person-centred care. The practice assessor is usually an experienced medical or advanced nurse practitioner from within the same clinical speciality as the learner who can support them with development of Advanced Practice competencies. 

Professional registration - n/a at this time. 

Any other important points - the first two modules are delivered by NHS Lothian in the workplace. Students are required to engage in synchronous and asynchronous online activities as well as developing their clinical competencies. Independent and Supplementary Prescribing is delivered by ɬÂþÌìÌÃ. Students may choose to exit with a PgDip or complete a dissertation (supervised by ɬÂþÌìÌÃ) in order to achieve the award of MSc.

This pathway is designed for registered nurses and AHPs who wish to take on roles as Advanced Practitioners and who work in NHS Lothian. The nature of this role, usually graded at KSF Band 7, requires the applicants to be experienced health professionals. Therefore applications will be invited from registered practitioners working who can satisfy the following entry criteria: 

• Hold current registration as a Health Care Professional.
• Hold a substantive post of Trainee Advanced Nurse Practitioner (clinical), Advanced Nurse Practitioner or Advanced Practitioner whose role requires further development of clinical competence, clinical expertise and clinical decision making to the level defined by the Scottish Government (2017).
• Have completed and passed a level 9 or 10 module with evidence of clinical competence in history taking and clinical examination. For example, Clinical Decision Making or Community Clinical Decision Making or equivalent.
• Have agreed support of a medical mentor within the same clinical speciality as the student, and/or Advanced Nurse Practitioner or Advanced Practitioner mentor, to support clinical learning and development of clinical expertise.
• Have support from their clinical nurse manager, line manager or practice manager to participate in learning activities including attendance at study days and completion of formative and summative assessments.
• All participants must be employed within the United Kingdom.

In addition, there are specific requirements for the learners to be in place before progression to Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Health Care Professional Programme. This is because this module also leads to a recordable professional outcome. Please see Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for details.

It is essential that prior to commencing the pathway, all participants have the support of their employer, an allocated medical mentor and/or an advanced practitioner mentor. The aim of this is to ensure that the participants are supported with opportunities for work based learning, mentorship, and critical reflection throughout all of the core modules of the PgDip. This also protects public safety and confidence in the resultant Advanced Practitioners.

This programme has been developed locally with NHS Lothian.  Applicants from other health boards in the UK, and who can meet the entry criteria above, will be able to access the pathway. In order to access this pathway participants are required to apply through the education leads within NHS Lothian. All applications will be considered on an individual basis.

For further information contact loth.anpeducation@nhs.scot