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Advanced Clinical Practitioner (masters)
This masters degree apprenticeship is designed for experienced clinicians seeking to develop expertise in advanced practice.
Employers and apprentices information
Employers
- Aligns with the Multi-Professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice and enables apprentices to research, develop, implement and evaluate quality improvements
- Flexible nature of the programme allows employers to tailor the units studied to suit the needs of the apprentice and their service area
- Can be studied over two or three years to suit individual circumstances
Our employers say
“Our degree apprentices support our workforce strategy in terms of building capability and harnessing the management of talent in the organisation by continuing to develop, invest and retain our future leaders”, says Diane Hooper of Northern Care Alliance NHS Group.
Apprentices
- Ideal for experienced clinical professionals looking to further their careers
- Choose the study option that suits your circumstances and take the programme over two or three years
- Develop sought-after clinical skills that enhance your ability to provide effective care
Our apprentices say
“I feel so proud and happy that the project proposal I completed during my degree apprenticeship has now been approved by the Drug and Therapeutic Committee. It is a very important change and will improve our service to the women experiencing gynaecological emergencies.” Meble Puttumpurathu Elias of Northern Care Alliance (The Royal Oldham Hospital).
About this programme
The Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship has been developed in collaboration with regional healthcare providers and experts in advanced clinical practice to support clinicians to develop expertise in their scope of practice.
This innovative programme will help apprentices develop their professional skills through a combination of university study and practice-based learning, ultimately improving end-to-end patient care.
It has been designed to ensure the educational requirements of the future advanced practice workforce are met, with a strong emphasis on research methodology and quality improvement.
The apprenticeship can be completed in either two or three years. Apprentices studying over two years will need to attend university for two days a week during their apprenticeship. Those studying over three years will attend for one day a week. The two-year cohorts start in September, while the three-year cohorts commence in January.
To find out more about how you can partner with us to offer degree apprenticeships within your organisation, fill out our contact form, email apprenticeships-employer@mmu.ac.uk, or call 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday).
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Programme content
Delivered in line with the Multi-Professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice (HEE, 2017), the apprenticeship emphasises research methodology and quality improvement.
Apprentices will research, develop, implement and evaluate a quality improvement project within their area of practice – improving an existing service or building an effective new one.
The flexibility of the programme allows the employer to tailor it to meet their individual service needs. Apprentices will study six core units and choose two of eight optional units.
The programme includes the opportunity for eligible apprentices to undertake Non-Medical Prescribing (V300) - developing an understanding of pharmacology and governance, the prescribing consultation, including clinical assessment, shared decision making, and rationale for prescribing decisions.
Three-year programme
Year one
- Clinical Examination and Decision Making
- Education in Advance Practice
- Flexible clinical option 1
Year two
- Leadership for Integrated Care
- Flexible clinical option 2
- Research Methodology for Quality Improvement
Year three
- Research for Quality Improvement Practice Project
- Advance Clinical Portfolio
- End-Point Assessment
Two-year programme
Year one
- Clinical Examination and Decision Making
- Education in Advance Practice
- Flexible clinical option 1
- Research Methodology for Quality Improvement
Year two
- Flexible clinical option 2
- Research for Quality Improvement Practice Project
- Leadership for Integrated Care
- Advance Clinical Portfolio
- End-Point Assessment
Flexible clinical optional units
- Advanced Musculoskeletal Practice
- Non-Medical Prescribing
- Advanced Care of the Frail and Older Adult
- Advanced Diagnostics and Management of the Acutely Ill Patient
- Radiology in Musculoskeletal
- Injection Therapy
- Advanced Practice Independent Study
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Programme length and approach
The programme is taught part-time over either two or three years at our campus in central Manchester.
Alongside the university study and with the support of their mentor, apprentices will further develop their advanced clinical practice skills by completing a technical and clinical skills portfolio. It will collect evidence of their competence in four aspects of advanced practice:
- clinical practice
- clinical leadership
- education
- research
Two year programme
Apprentices will spend two days a week studying and developing new skills.
This option suits learners who:
- work well at a faster pace and may have studied previously at postgraduate level
- have previously completed clinically-focused study, such as non-medical prescribing
- can be released from their normal duties two days per week
Three year programme
Apprentices will spend one day a week studying and developing new skills.
This option suits learners who:
- prefer a steadier pace and may not have previously studied at postgraduate level
- cannot be released from their normal duties for more than a day a week
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Qualifications awarded
All successful graduates are awarded an MSc Advanced Clinical Practice degree from Manchester Metropolitan University as well as a level 7 degree apprenticeship.
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Entry requirements
Applicants must:
- be registered with a statutory or regulatory body: either the General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professionals Council or Nursing and Midwifery Council
- meet the essential criteria for trainee advanced clinical practitioner, as specified by their employer
- have the right of abode and right to work in the UK to qualify for funding
Evidence of GCSE Mathematics and English Language (grade A*-C / 9-4), or equivalent, must be provided prior to application.
A list of acceptable equivalent qualifications is available from the gov.uk website, as well as guidance on obtaining replacement certificates. It will not be possible for applicants to proceed with their application unless they are able to provide evidence of achievement or proof that they have applied for replacement certificates.
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Funding
Degree apprenticeships are paid for by employers, not apprentices.
Employers with a payroll of more than £3 million can use their apprenticeship levy contributions to pay for places on apprenticeship programmes.
Any business with a payroll below £3 million is eligible for government funding that will cover at least 95% of the cost of an apprenticeship programme.
Additional incentives are also available to employers who recruit new apprentices into their business.
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Next steps
If you are an employer
We will support you every step of the way to offer apprenticeships at your organisation, whether you intend to upskill current employees or attract new recruits.
You can speak to us via our contact form, by emailing apprenticeships-employer@mmu.ac.uk or by calling 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday).
If you are an employee
If you are already employed, encourage your employer to contact us to discuss offering an apprenticeship.
If you are a student
Places on this programme are available to those already employed in a relevant position and where their employer will support them to take part.