Entry requirementsThis programme is primarily designed for nurses who would like to take on the role of assessing students’ fitness for practice as a specialist community pubic health nurse, specialist practitioner or advanced nurse practitioner.
Academic titlePractice Teacher - PG Cert
Course descriptionBy completion, practitioners will be facilitating and assessing learning in academic and practice settings at an advanced level.
This presents opportunities for those interested in the pedagogy of professional practice who wish to develop their careers as educators.
Appropriate aspects of the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework are mapped into the programme and will provide a basis for pay progression within the identified bands.
This postgraduate certificate can be the first step towards a postgraduate diploma or an MSc in Health Professional Studies.
COURSE CONTENT
There is a combination of University-based and work-based learning activity.
The two theory modules are based around four themed study days covering the context of practice; establishing effective working relationships; evidence-based practice; leadership; creating an environment for learning; facilitation of learning; assessment and accountability; and evaluation of learning.
The learning methods used include workshops, disussions, group work and lead lectures.You are expected to take an active part in your learning. A Virtual Learning Environment is extensively used to support learning and teaching activities.The work-based module involves being placed with an experienced practice teacher who facilitates your access to an appropriate student, and who is responsible for supervising your progress and ‘signing off ’ your achievement of the learning outcomes.
Working in an interprofessional learning environment and supporting other mentors in their roles are important features of the programme.
CORE MODULES
• Practice Teaching in Context (theory)
• Effective Practice Teaching (theory)
• Specialist Practice Teaching (practice/work-based)
OPTIONAL MODULES
There are no optional modules for this stage of the programme. Should applicants wish to register for the postgraduate diploma or MSc programme, planning with the programme leader will help them to identify the best options to choose.
FURTHER MODULE INFORMATION
For the Specialist Practice Teaching module, applicants must be supervised by a qualified and experienced practice teacher.Availability of this practice teacher will be confirmed before the programme starts.
ASSESSMENT
A number of different assessment strategies are used, including a written strategy, participation in group presentations, self and peer review and completion of a portfolio to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes in practice.
SPECIAL FEATURES
This programme is approved by the NMC, and on successful completion practitioners can gain entry to the live practice teacher register held in the Faculty of Health and Social Care.
Key components of the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework are embedded in the programme, enabling successful students to demonstrate that they meet milestones for pay progression.The programme also meets the requirements for level 3 mentor preparation identified by the Association of Operating Department Practitioners.
RESEARCH AREAS
Active research themes in the department are: spirituality, maternal and child health, wound care and education. An opportunity for research collaboration with other faculties and departments is possible.
ENTRY CRITERIA
You should have a current entry on the same part or sub-part of the Nursing and Midwifery Council register as the students that you will be assessing.
You should have developed your knowledge, skills and competence beyond registration and gained a specialist practitioner qualification relevant to your field of practice: specialist community public health nursing or community nursing in the home (district nursing), for example.
You shoud have prior experience as a mentor/assessor, having previously undertaken preparation for this role. Evidence of recent academic study (normally within the last five years) is also required.
Enquiries about this programme from practitioners in other practice-based and clinical programmes such as medicine, pharmacology, and sport science and rehabilitation are encouraged.