Advanced Health Assessment

Overview

This module focuses upon the practice of advanced health assessment and history taking, to form a diagnosis. Content enables students to undertake a comprehensive and focused advanced health examination and to facilitate the individual to relate the following core content to the role of the Advanced Practitioner.

Advanced clinical practice is delivered by experienced, registered healthcare practitioners. It is a level of practice characterised by a high degree of autonomy and complex decision making. Advanced clinical practitioners work as part of a wider health and social care team, they manage complete episodes of clinical care, which means they can independently provide care from the time a patient first presents through to discharge.

The purpose of this module is to enable you to gain and expand your knowledge and skills in performing advanced health assessment as a health care professional. It will form the foundation for your on-going learning in advanced health assessment. A particular feature of this module is the opportunity to advance your physical assessment and diagnostic skills under the guidance of a coordinating education supervisor and workplace supervisors. You will study cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, dermatological, female and male health assessment and examination. Also, haematology, biochemistry, and E.C.G interpretation.

Advanced Health Assessment is considered within the context of best evidence and practice, the issue of significant negatives, consent, accountability and legal aspects, appropriate documentation.

A particular feature of this module is the opportunity to practice advance health assessment and leadership skills under the guidance of a clinical preceptor(s) in clinical practice.

The module is assessed with an assignment covering a critical analysis of a clinical assessment and diagnostic interpretation that has been undertaken in clinical practice which examines in detail appropriate aspects of the physical examination (history taking, auscultation, percussion, inspection, or palpation as appropriate) and each appropriate diagnostic test utilised. An OSCE examination and completion of a clinical competency document you need to have achieved 90 hrs supervised practice.

Term one dates September 2025 – April 2026

Delivered on Tuesday

  • September 9, 16, 23, 30
  • October 7, 14, 21, 28
  • November 4, 11, 18, 25
  • December 2, 9, 16
  • OSCE - March 16-20 and April 13-17

 Term 3 dates April 2026 – December 2026

Delivered on Tuesday

  • April 21, 28
  • May 5, 12, 19, 26
  • June 2, 09, 16, 23, 30
  • July 7, 14, 21, 28
  • OSCE 31 August – 26 September and 12 -16 October
Academic credits
40
Delivery method
On campus
Part time can be accessed as a standalone module or as part of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice
Location
Centre for Health Innovation Stafford
Duration

The module is delivered in term 1 and term 3 2025/2026 every Tuesday from September to April and then every Monday April - December for 13 weeks. You then have two term to complete your 90 hours supervised practice and undertake your OSCE examinations.

Start date

Term 1 start date – 9 September 2025

Term 3 start date – 21 April 2026

School
Health, Science and Wellbeing

Entry requirements

Applicants must be on a health care professional body register and need to have completed a BSc or have evidence of studying at level 6.

Fees

£1,830.00

Staff

Katherine James

Senior Lecturer

My nursing career is very mixed spanning both primary and secondary care, but mainly as an intensive care/coronary care nurse.

Katherine's profile

Elizabeth Powell

Lecturer

I am the Module Lead for Advanced Health Assessment. I currently serve as a Part-Time Lecturer, specialising in Post-Registration Education and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Elizabeth's profile

Dr Janice Mooney

P/T Lecturer (Hrly) Nursing

I'm the Course Leader for the MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice.

Janice's profile

How to apply

  1. Download and complete the pre- application form
    You can find the application form in the “Supporting Documents” section below. This form helps us verify your details, check if you’re suitable for the programme and confirm you have an appropriate Co-ordinating educational supervisor to support you undertaking 90 hours of supervised clinical practice time.
  2. Fill out the form carefully
    Please read the form instructions and complete every section. Make sure all the necessary people sign the form (digital signatures are accepted but not typed names).  If the form is not filled out correctly, it will be rejected, which will delay your application.
  3. Use the correct form
    Do not use any old forms. Only complete the latest version available for download on this webpage.
  4. Submit your application online
    After completing the form, click the ‘Apply Now’ link to start your online application. You will need to upload your completed application form in the ‘Documents’ section of the online application.

Application form

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