Course summary

This Foundation Degree and Higher Technical Qualification is validated by Sheffield Hallam University and developed with hospital trusts, private healthcare providers and voluntary sector organisations. In healthcare settings, there is a need for individuals with a higher level of training and skills than healthcare assistants but not as extensive as registered nurses or allied health professionals. The Assistant Practitioner role can act as a stepping stone for those wishing to progress to further study to become qualified healthcare professionals, such as nurses or allied health practitioners. This is a full-time course with around nine contact hours per week. Students must complete 200 placement hours at Level 4 and 200 hours at Level 5. Experience in a care setting, or current employment in the sector, is strongly recommended. We begin your academic journey with the Transition to Higher Education module, providing a foundation framework to learn academic reading, writing, referencing, digital literacy and research skills to support learning. Through the work-based learning modules, you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for safe and effective workplace practice. With a focus on health and social care assessment and delivery, students will apply theoretical frameworks that underpin integrated service user assessment, identify key issues impacting service users’ ability to function effectively, and develop, implement and evaluate interventions to enhance service-user wellbeing. The course is delivered over two semesters in each year. Students complete 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5. Students may continue undergraduate studies at Level 6 on top-up courses such as BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Studies. Modules Level 4 (120 credits):

• Transition to Higher Education

• Work based learning 1

• Integrated holistic assessment and delivery of health and social care interventions

• Essential sciences for person centred care

• Transition to professional practice

• Promoting health, wellbeing and independence

• Work based learning 2

• Leadership and management

This Higher Technical Qualification is approved against occupational standards decided by employers. Learn more about Higher Technical Qualifications.