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Open University in Ireland

Advanced Clinical Practice

This qualification will prepare you for an advanced clinical practice role by developing your knowledge and critical understanding of advanced clinical practice, leadership and management, research and education - the four pillars that underpin advanced practice - and developing skills that enable you to act with a high level of autonomy. You'll enhance your skills in holistic and systematic assessment, complex decision making, and the provision of high-quality evidence-based interventions for patients, clients and their families. You should be supported by your healthcare employer, and, by studying while you work, your learning will be strengthened by applying theory to your scope of practice.

This programme incorporates a Non-Medical Prescribing module which, upon successful completion, enables you to gain regulatory recognition as a non-medical prescriber within your scope of practice.

Key features of the course

•Encompasses the four pillars that underpin advanced clinical practice - clinical practice, leadership and management, research, and education.

•Develops your core capabilities for Advanced Clinical Practice and area-specific clinical practice.

•Provides learning and development of your leadership skills at a clinical and strategic level to inform people management and service development.

•Learn to critically appraise, evaluate, implement and disseminate research to support professional practice in your clinical environment.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

•Knowledge and understanding
•Cognitive skills
•Practical and professional skills
•Key skills

Credit transfer

If you've successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study.

You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

On completion

On successful completion of the required module you can be awarded a MSc in Advanced Medical Practice entitling you to use the letters MSc ACP (Open) after your name.

Entry requirements

You will need to:

•hold a degree in a health-related discipline. Applicants with evidence of equivalent professional development or academic proficiency will be considered. Applicants with non-European academic qualifications will need to supply evidence of equivalency through NARIC.

•be currently registered with one of the statutory regulators of health and care professions.

•be employed as a health care professional.

•provide evidence of your employer's recommendation for your application for a programme of study leading to an Advanced Practice role, including a formal reference from the employer confirming the applicant demonstrates professional values and behaviours, respecting people's diversity, beliefs, culture, needs, values and preferences, and shows respect and empathy acting as a role model for others. It should also confirm your 'clinical readiness' to undertake the programme.

•show evidence of employer support to undertake the programme including; the provision of a mentor to ensure appropriate learning in practice; the availability of appropriate supervision in clinical practice; and the provision of a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) with evidence of a qualification at level 7 during the Non-Medical prescribing module.

•have relevant post-qualification experience, as specified by the appropriate regulatory body.

•There are additional entry requirements to study Non-medical independent and supplementary prescribing (K803) and you should read the module description for further details.

You will need to complete an application form for this qualification. The application form and further guidance can obtained by contacting the faculty at WELS-ACP-Programme@open.ac.uk

Duration

2.5 – 5 years

It is expected that most students will complete the qualification in the minimum time of approximately 2.5 years by studying 60 credits a year, but there is flexibility to take up to four years to complete.

Number of credits

180 Credits

Careers or further progression

Career relevance

You'll be employed as a health professional when you start the course and have approval from your designated employer to undertake the qualification.

Once qualified, you'll have the knowledge and skills to work as an advanced clinical practitioner in a wide variety of clinical settings across primary and secondary care and other health and social care providers.

Further enquiries

Tel: (01) 678 5399
Fax: (01) 678 5442
Email: ireland@open.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Compulsory module Credits
Non-medical independent and supplementary prescribing (K803) 60
Developing advanced clinical practice (K804) 60
Advancing professional practice (K805) 60

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time.

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Key information

Qualification letters:

MSc

Qualifications:

Degree - Masters at UK Level 7

Attendance Types:

Distance

Counties:

Dublin

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