Assistant Practitioner (Health) Higher Apprenticeship in Perioperative Care - Level 5

Kickstart your career

Become a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner (Health) in Perioperative Care.

Course content

During their studies, apprentices will learn from a number of experts in Perioperative Care

Gain perioperative experience

A range of modules on this course are specific to the Operating Theatre setting

This 2-year apprenticeship has been designed to give you the skillset required to become a competent Assistant Practitioner in the field of Perioperative Care.

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Who is it for?

This apprenticeship has been designed for Support Workers working in an Operating Theatre setting to prepare them for employment as a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner (Health) in Perioperative Care.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: Foundation Degree Science (FdSc) in Perioperative Care

Location
Centre for Health Innovation Stafford
Duration
Typical duration for this apprenticeship is 2 years.
Start date(s)

Typical start dates are September and January.

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Course content

There will be a range of modules which will run for the length of the course.

Modules

Year 1 Modules:

  • Skills for Higher Education
  • Caring communication
  • Law and Ethics for Surgical Support Practitioners
  • Biological sciences for Surgical Support Practitioner
  • Developing Competency in the Provision of Surgical Practice

Year 2 Modules:

  • An introduction to evaluating the evidence for practice
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Contexts of perioperative practice
  • Demonstrating Competency in the Provision of Perioperative Practice

End-point Assessment will follow the completion of all modules.

Entry requirements

To be eligible to apply for the course, individuals must be in employment with a sponsoring health or social care employer, be working a minimum of 30 hours per week and have a minimum Level 2 Numeracy and Literacy.

Fees

Levy paying organisations pay from their digital account, the course falls within the £12K funding band. Non-levy payers will cover 5% of the total cost of the programme.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

The course includes one day classroom based and independent study per week, with the remainder of the time spent in supervised practice-based learning in the workplace. The course is delivered using a variety of methods including face-to-face teaching and distance learning. During their studies, apprentices will learn from a number of experts in perioperative care including academic staff from the University, guest speakers, service users and carers. Two modules each year will may be with students studying the Foundation Degree through a differing apprenticeship pathway; this provides students with opportunities to learn generic skills with others from different healthcare settings. The rest of the modules are specific to the Operating Theatre setting, developing specific knowledge and skills commensurate with the role of Band 4 Assistant Practitioner (Health) in Perioperative Care.

Assessment

All modules will have a variety of assessments; these are tasks set to produce a variety of work appropriate to the module topic, which are graded and contribute to progression through the degree. The assessments include written assignments and reflective accounts, oral presentations, development of clinical competencies, and a portfolio of evidence. The employer is expected to assign a workplace mentor who will facilitate the development of clinical competencies and portfolio of evidence and meet with the apprentice and assessor to discuss progress.

In addition to the on-programme assessments all apprentices must undertake an independent end-point assessment which is a synoptic assessment of the knowledge, skills and behaviours that have been learnt throughout the apprenticeship. The purpose of the assessment is to make sure the apprentice meets the standard set by employers and are fully competent in the occupation.

End-point-assessments are graded, and an apprenticeship certificate is only awarded after end-point assessment is successfully completed.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties. You will also have full access to our support services such as Student Guidance.

Feedback

Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Responsibilities

  • The employer must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning
  • Ensure apprentice spends at least 20% of their time in off-the-job training
  • Enter into a contract with Staffordshire University
  • Participate in reviews with the apprentice and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones
  • Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice
  • Provide apprentices with a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
  • Provide the apprentice with paid time to attend off-the-job training, including additional support for English and Maths, or support accessed for learning difficulties and/or disabilities
  • Recognise that the apprentice must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours
  • Support the apprentice to gain new skills
  • A citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or have the right of abode in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning
  • Able to complete the apprenticeship in contracted working hours
  • Be an employee (have a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship) on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning
  • Be in a new job role (nine months or less), or in an existing job role, where significant new knowledge and skills are needed - employer statement of justification needed (relevant to the apprenticeship)
  • Be in full-time employment for at least 30 hours a week (37.5 for nursing apprenticeships)
  • Has the right to work in England
  • Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs
  • Not be enrolled on another apprenticeship at the same time
  • Participate in reviews with the employer and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones
  • Administer the funding and running of the Apprenticeship Standard to an acceptable standard of quality and in compliance with the ESFAs requirements
  • Agree jointly between the University, the Employer and Apprentice, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) ensuring that satisfactory progress is achieved and to ensure that the contents of the ILP fulfil the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard
  • Provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment, which meets the needs of the Apprentice
  • Provide off-the-job learning and assessment and oversee the on-the-job skills development as detailed in the ILP
  • Provide support on the selection of the endpoint assessor, if applicable. The endpoint assessment will be completed by the learning provider for all integrated degrees

Careers

Examples of common work activities include assisting in total patient assessment, coordination of care (including referrals to other practitioners) and higher clinical skills such as catheterisation, wound care and discharge planning. Assistant Practitioners can be found working in a range of areas such as Cancer Services, Physiotherapy, Genito- Urinary Medicine, Orthopaedics, Hospice Care, Mental Health, Social Care, Community, Occupational Therapy, Learning Disabilities as well as hybrid roles that cross traditional occupational areas.

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To join a higher degree apprenticeship programme, enquire with us today.

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