
Health and Social Care - CertHE / FdSc / Module
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry.
Do you want to enhance your career in health and social care? Our Certificate in Higher Education/Foundation degree is ideal for those already working a minimum of 30 hours per week within a health and social work setting. You can develop your knowledge and skills to enable you to progress to Assistant Practitioner level or equivalent....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time/Part Time
- Location City South
- Award CertHE / FdSc / Module
- Start date September 2023
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Health Sciences
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Overview
Do you want to enhance your career in health and social care? Our Certificate in Higher Education/Foundation degree is ideal for those already working a minimum of 30 hours per week within a health and social work setting. You can develop your knowledge and skills to enable you to progress to Assistant Practitioner level or equivalent.
A variety of pathways can be studied including:
- mammography
- diagnostic radiography
- surgical care support
- maternity
What's covered in this course?
The Cert HE/FdSc Health and Social Care are full-time programmes delivered at the City South campus, and have been carefully-designed to provide the skills you and your current or future employer need.
Expert teaching staff in our School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Health Sciences provide the guidance needed to make sure you secure the necessary academic requirements and clinically orientated competencies that will advance your career.
The course equips successful candidates for a range of roles in health or social care settings, local authorities, the voluntary sector and private care settings.
In securing this Foundation Degree you will complete an e- portfolio that offers clear evidence of your development. You explore the scope of professional practice in the areas of compassionate care delivery ,risk management, responsibility and accountability, infection control, confidentiality, consent, and many more.
The course offers an introduction to anatomy and physiology, and examines social, psychological and cultural influences relevant to your area of work. It covers professional issues relating to the boundaries of practice, patient and client assessment. It also provides a thorough understanding of standard operating procedures and relevant national service frameworks.
You can also choose a negotiated module, if appropriate, that will enable you to undertake more study in an area relevant to your role, practice and service user group.
Why Choose Us?
- We offer a very supportive environment here, especially for anyone returning to education after a gap or progressing to a university setting for the first time.
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We offer personal tutors based in the University, ensuring support is on hand to offer advice and encouragement.
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We provide a wide range of support to introduce you to University level study, including the Maths, English and wider study skills to help you to be successful on the Foundation Degree.
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This full-time work based learning programme is aimed at people who are currently working in a health and social care setting.
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The course is based in the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences in the recently extended £71 million City South Campus, which features mock hospital wards, a mock operating theatre, a home environment room, a radiography skills suite with working x-ray machines, and laboratory for you to practice in.
Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic
The University has put in place measures in response to Covid-19 to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus open day where you'll be able to explore our campus and facilities in person. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Open Day: Saturday 24 June 2023
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2023/24.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
This full-time work based learning programme is aimed at people who are currently working in a health or social care setting
Essential Requirements
Level 2 qualifications | ||
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GCSE | GCSE English Language or English Literature and GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests. Please note, if you are wishing to undertake the FdSc to progress onto an undergraduate programme then some courses (including midwifery) will only accept GCSEs and no equivalents. |
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Scottish National 5 | English Language or English Literature and Maths at grade C or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests. | |
Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) qualifications | ||
GCE A/A2 level | Minimum of one A/A2 Level pass at Grade D or above. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded. | |
GCE AS/A1 level | Minimum of two AS/A1 Level passes at Grade D or above. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded. | |
GCE/AVCE Double Award | GCE/AVCE Double Award minimum pass at Grade DD. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded. | |
BTEC National Award | Minimum pass Grade M required. | |
BTEC National Certificate | Minimum pass Grade PP required. | |
BTEC National Diploma | Minimum pass Grade PPP required. | |
International Baccalaureate Diploma | Minimum pass Grade 24 required. | |
Cache Award, Certificate or Diploma | Full award. | |
Access to HE Diploma in Health and Social Care | Full award (60 credits) must include 12 Level 2 Mathematics credits + 12 Level 2 English Language credits if not already achieved at GCSE or equivalent. | |
NVQ Level 2 | Full award plus a written paper – details of the content will be provided by the admissions tutor post application. | |
NVQ Level 3 | Full award, plus GCSE Mathematics and English Language at Grade C or above or equivalent. | |
14-19 Progression Diploma in Society, Health and Development | Full award. | |
14-19 Advanced Diploma in Society, Health and Development | Full award. |
Please check the transferable skills document from Apprenticeship Certificates England to see if your qualifications meet the requirements for a Higher Apprenticeship.
Other qualifications:
Applicants’ qualifications that are not listed will be considered on an individual basis.
Portfolio route
A Portfolio route has been devised for those applicants who are already working in a Health or Social Care setting and who do not meet the formal entry requirements. To follow this route students are still expected to possess GCSE Mathematics and English Language or equivalent.
The Portfolio should include:
- Two written testimonies (one of which must be from the employer) supporting the application.
- A reflective piece that draws on current practice, no more than 1500 words.
- All pieces of work should be endorsed by the line manager.
- The portfolio is to be submitted within 4 weeks post application, following discussion with the Admissions Tutor.
Stand-alone modules:
Students who wish to enrol for any module on a stand-alone basis will not be required to meet the full entry criteria. Where students wish to enrol for modules above the equivalent of 40 credits, the entry criteria above will still apply.
In addition:
Applicants are strongly advised to attend an applicant day or attend a meeting with the
Admissions Tutor. Applicants must be employed in a Heath or Social Care support worker role (or equivalent) for a minimum of 30 hours per week and have support from their Line Manager in order to apply for this course.
Declaration of satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service clearance is required.
Applicants who are self-funding their course will be required to complete satisfactory Occupational Health and Disclosure & Barring Service checks.
You will be required to complete your Care Certificate via your Trust within the two year programme.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: CertHE
Starting: Sep 2023
Pathway: Health and Social Care
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
- £9,250 in 2023/24
Award: FdSc
Starting: Sep 2023
Pathway: Health and Social Care
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 2 years
- £6,000 in 2023/24
Award: CertHE
Starting: Sep 2023
Pathway: Mammography
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
- £9,250 in 2023/24
Award: Module
Starting: Sep 2023
Pathway: Module Only
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- TBC
-
TBC
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Application notes
Please indicate on your personal statement which pathway you would like to apply for. See course structure for details on pathways.
All prospective students will be invited to a Foundation degree applicant's day.
Personal statement
Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Course in Depth
Download course specification
Download nowCourse structure
The two year FdSc Health and Social Care programme will incorporate a variety of learning methods in order to support your individual learning style. The primary focus will be on work-based learning, with the addition of face to face taught sessions, group work; Moodle based activities and paper resources and tutorials.
A variety of approaches to teaching and learning will be utilised to reflect your academic level, session content and outcomes, taking into account your individual leaning needs. The learning methods employed will allow the specific subject matter in the route to be explored in depth through the creation of an environment of critical enquiry for both you the student and staff.
The FdSc Health and Social Care team will support you to develop the skills required that will enable you to critically analyse your own learning journey, and reflect on your personal and professional development. The application of knowledge linked to the development of your clinical skills is an important element of the programme, this is supported during your work based learning by clinical learning facilitators from your area of practice and your personal tutors. You will select a pathway that is relevant to your current job role.
Course breakdown
Level 4 (Cert HE)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
An appreciation of the principles of Anatomy and Physiology plays a central role in the understanding of the workings of the human body. This module will provide an awareness of key physiological systems ensuring you develop an ability to demonstrate the interplay of such systems to maintain the body in homoeostatic balance. This module will also aim to foster recognition of the importance of the underpinning theory that dictates clinical practise.
The aim of this module is to enable you to consolidate and further develop the personal and professional knowledge and skills that are necessary to deliver high quality health and social care.
This module focuses on helping you to develop new and existing skills and knowledge of the academic skills essential to achieve your learning goals in Higher Education. The module also concentrates on your existing clinical knowledge and skills and examines the role of the 6 C’s principles of effective care delivery (Cummings, 2012). Throughout the module you will be given the opportunity to reflect on your existing knowledge and skills, and identify areas in both your academic and clinical practice that you want to develop.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Diagnostic Radiography)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
This module has clinical and academic components and makes use of the clinical skills facilities available within the faculty. It aims to provide a grounding in diagnostic imaging practice and techniques for Assistant Practitioners.
This module provides you with the fundamental knowledge and the core clinical skills that Assistant Practitioners require to enable you to competently perform radiographic imaging examinations. The syllabus includes anatomy, physiology and pathology, patient care and communication and standard radiographic examination procedures.
This module is essential to enable your understanding of the theory and practical applications of physics in the context of radiography or radiotherapy. Radiation physics and the safe and legal use of ionising radiation is an essential aspect of the radiation disciplines. It involves the underlying principles of the nature of matter and associated principles and how that relates to radiation production and attenuation its application to imaging and therapeutic modalities.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Mammography)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
This module is appropriate for Trainee Assistant Practitioners who are working in a Breast Imaging Department and will be undertaking the standard routine mammographic imaging of the breast. You will be responsible for your own learning, and will reflect on your clinical experience during your academic studies, and similarly will apply knowledge to practice which will involve provision of effective care to a diverse range of service users from a range of cultural backgrounds.
This module is essential to enable your understanding of the theory and practical applications of physics in the context of radiography or radiotherapy. Radiation physics and the safe and legal use of ionising radiation is an essential aspect of the radiation disciplines. It involves the underlying principles of the nature of matter and associated principles and how that relates to radiation production and attenuation its application to imaging and therapeutic modalities.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Maternity)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Successful completion of this level 4 module will support your development as a Maternity Support Worker enabling you to develop the knowledge and skills that are necessary to deliver high quality health and social care within the maternity setting.
This module provides the underpinning principles for care delivery during the pregnancy and childbirth journey, and enables you to appreciate your role in accomplishing a safe and positive birth experience and support the integration of the baby into the family. During the module you will be encouraged to develop a deep understanding of normal birth and how you can, achieve professional and personal growth as a Maternity Support Worker.
Alignment with
FdSc Health and Social Care (Surgical Care Support)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
This module provides you, a first year Assistant Theatre Practitioner Apprentice (Surgical Care Support) to study the fundamental principles of perioperative practice and engage in applying these within the clinical setting to develop your clinical practice skills as part of the multidisciplinary team. You will utilise the knowledge and skills attained in other first year modules to demonstrate a commitment to providing a safe environment for the surgical patient.
This module provides you, a first year Assistant Theatre Practitioner Apprentice (Surgical Care Support) an introduction to the wider considerations for patient care delivery within the perioperative setting. As work-based learning remains the very essence of the programme, you will have the opportunity to combine your previous experience with your newly acquired knowledge and apply this immediately into your practice. Collaboration between the University and work-based partners is fundamental to the programme.
Level 5 (FdSc)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only
This module is aimed at supporting and enabling you to develop as a critical, reflective and independent thinker with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to achieve your potential as a paraprofessional worker. In order to effect change at a local level, you need to demonstrate the ability to consider an area of your practice, explore the appropriate evidence and present your findings to your peers and managers in a logical and balanced way. This module aims to give you this opportunity, whilst potentially benefiting your own area of practice.
This module is aimed at supporting and enabling you to develop as a critical, reflective and independent thinker with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to achieve your potential as a paraprofessional worker.
The teaching and learning approaches are designed to maximise the benefits of sharing knowledge and expertise in the classroom. Lecturers will facilitate the integration of theory and practice throughout the module. You will also be encouraged to use information technologies as potential sources of knowledge and learning, as well as developing an e-portfolio. This will be achieved through a blended learning method comprising of face to face teaching, group work, presentations, tutorials and e-learning through the Moodle VLE platform.
This module has been designed to be flexible and practice-led. You will have the opportunity to develop skills of enquiry, reflection and problem solving. A blended learning approach is taken (incorporating classroom, e-learning via Moodle [Virtual Learning Environment platform] and work-based activities) in line with the university’s learning and teaching strategy. You will be encouraged to share practice experiences with your fellow students, as well as engaging in both directed and self-directed learning activities. You will be an active partner in your own learning and development and in return you will be offered tutorial support, by way of regular feedback and feedforward aimed at developing your academic skills. This will also allow you the opportunity to discuss your progress with the module team.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Children)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
This module aims to further enhance your skills and knowledge of practice through reflection and analysis of your own role, including the exploration of evidence based research and literature. The module is designed to follow on from your level four Knowledge Skills And Assessment In Children’s Healthcare module and will advance your knowledge, skills, critical analysis and clinical decision making. There will be a strong focus on the wider context of your role including safeguarding, understanding families in stress and the legal and ethical principles underpinning children’s healthcare. As with the level 4, you will practise a range of clinical skills underpinned by analysis of current evidence based practice. You will explore and debate factors affecting the quality of care delivery and identify strategies to support the enhancement of infants’ children, young people and families’ healthcare experience within the context of your own organisation.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:
This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to develop the core knowledge and skills necessary to work in the area of wound management. You will be introduced to the concepts of wound management and how they relate to your role as a trainee assistant practitioner.
When you have successfully completed this module you will have a more in-depth understanding of the anatomy and physiology of wound healing as well as developed your knowledge and skills in relation to wound assessment and treatment.
The aim of this module is to facilitate in-depth learning and knowledge of a specific area of your practice. You will be expected to choose an area of your practice that you would like to investigate in more detail, in negotiation with your workplace and module tutor. You will examine the research that has been written about your chosen subject and present your findings as a poster to your tutor and peers.
The aim of this module is to you gain understanding of health inequalities. It will enable you to apply some sociological theory to gain understanding of the nature of contemporary society and its influences on the perception of health and ill health. You will explore how society is structured in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, social class, family and households, and its impact on health and wellbeing. You will consider current research addressing health inequalities and government initiatives in response to this.
This module has been designed to help you develop skills to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities, especially those diagnosed as being within the autistic spectrum. Autism is a spectrum of conditions characterised by social, communicative, sensory-motor and cognitive difficulties. The social and psychological consequences can be profound. Autism is a very much misunderstood condition that affects around 1% of the world’s population. Within the UK that amounts to 600,000 people, given a current UK population of around 60 million. If one takes into account the families of those on the spectrum, this figure of 600,000 is likely to become closer to 2.5 million. Consequently, many health and social care professionals are likely to engage with and provide support and care to those on the autism spectrum and their families in a wide range of community and hospital settings.
Successful completion of this level 5 module will support your development as a Maternity Support Worker aiming to facilitate, by extending your knowledge and skills within the sphere of the maternity support worker role in promoting health by assisting women and their families to make optimal health and lifestyle choices.
Successful completion of this level 5 module will support your development as a Maternity Support Worker enabling you to assist the midwife and mother with the transition to parenting
This module aims to support your development as a Maternity Support Worker for your role in assisting the midwife and parents, in promoting and facilitating the transition that women and men make when they become parents in a low risk setting, under the direction and supervision of the midwife.
The module provides students with the opportunity to acquire and develop the knowledge and skills required to safely administer medication in their workplace.
As work-based learning remains the very essence of the programme, you will have the opportunity to combine your previous experience with your newly acquired knowledge and apply this immediately into your practice. Collaboration between the University and work-based partners is fundamental to the programme.
The module aims to support you to gain an understanding of the theories that underpin nursing care across all fields of nursing including the code that directs the actions of registered nurses. You will also acquire and develop the knowledge and skills required to safely administer medication.
As work-based learning remains the very essence of the programme, you will have the opportunity to combine your previous experience with your newly acquired knowledge and apply this immediately into your practice. Collaboration between the University and work-based partners is fundamental to the programme.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Mental Health)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Mental health care involves working with service users from diverse backgrounds with very varied needs. So, it is an area where your knowledge and skills will be tested and challenged. Completing this module will help you to meet those needs, provide evidence based and value based care that will enable you to function effectively as an Assistant Practitioner in a multidisciplinary care setting.
This module is designed to enhance your learning experience whilst undertaking the mental health pathway of the Foundation Degree. It will enable you to learn about the wider aspects of mental health care and the skills required from practitioners from a wide range of care settings. In this way you will be able to develop an understanding of the breadth of mental health care and the services that can be offered to service users to enhance your ability to work in a collaborative fashion with other mental health services. It will also assist you to become more flexible and adaptable in the care that you offer.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Diagnostic Radiography)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
On successful completion of this Level 5 module, you will have satisfied the module objectives, which will be the completion of study and assessment of Plain Image Radiography of the Skeleton, Thorax, Abdomen and Skull/Face. This will enable you to be able to undertake the majority of Plain Image Radiography that you will encounter in your clinical career. Also, you will be able to undertake a number of procedures using fluoroscopic and mobile imaging modalities. This will be limited by the Scope of Practise that your Employer utilises.
This module is not discipline specific and may be studied by anyone who works, or has an interest, in the process of Imaging in one of the offered pathways. The teaching and learning methods will be based in a combination of modality experts discussing the range of uses of their modality and framework required to analyse a condition and the medical management involved. A critique (analysis of the positive and/or negative viewpoints) of Imaging modalities will be a central part of the module, but that must be played against the needs of the service-user and their carers.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Mammography)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
This module is appropriate for you if you are an Assistant Practitioner who is working in a breast imaging department and are already competent in performing the standard routine mammographic imaging of the breast i.e./ the Cranio-Caudal (CC) and Medio-Lateral Oblique (MLO) projections of the breast. Studying this level 5 module will give you the opportunity to acquire further skills and underpinning knowledge to enable you to produce modified or supplementary images of the breast as required by your role within your organisation and operating within the scope of practice of an Assistant Practitioner. You will be responsible for your own learning, and will reflect on your clinical experience during your academic studies, and similarly will apply knowledge to practice which will involve provision of effective care to a diverse range of service users from a range of cultural backgrounds.
This module is not discipline specific and may be studied by anyone who works, or has an interest, in the process of Imaging in one of the offered pathways. The teaching and learning methods will be based in a combination of modality experts discussing the range of uses of their modality and framework required to analyse a condition and the medical management involved. A critique (analysis of the positive and/or negative viewpoints) of Imaging modalities will be a central part of the module, but that must be played against the needs of the service-user and their carers.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Maternity)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Successful completion of this level 5 module will build on the knowledge and skills gained from prior completion of the level 4 module Knowledge, Skills and Assessment in Maternity Care, extending your understanding of more advanced midwifery care in your role as a maternity support worker.
Successful completion of this level 5 module will support your development as a Maternity Support Worker enabling you to assist the midwife and mother with the transition to parenting
This module aims to support your development as a Maternity Support Worker for your role in assisting the midwife and parents, in promoting and facilitating the transition that women and men make when they become parents in a low risk setting, under the direction and supervision of the midwife.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Surgical Care Support)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
In your first year of the FdSc Health and Social Care programme you studied the fundamental principles of perioperative practice and identified how your role as a prospective Assistant Theatre Practitioner (Surgical Care Support) contributes to and functions within the multidisciplinary team. This module allows you to develop the knowledge and skills you acquired in the first year with clear links to other second year modules and enables you to critically explore the range of patient pathways within your specialist area of practice, to ensure you fully understand the patient journey and how practice can be adjusted to reflect patient’s individual needs.
This module encourages you to develop an understanding of how perioperative practice is influenced by the contemporary evidence base and changing local, national and international health demands. As work-based learning remains the very essence of the programme, you will have the opportunity to combine your previous experience with your newly acquired knowledge and apply this immediately into your practice. Collaboration between the University and work-based partners is fundamental to the programme.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Learning Disabilities)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
This module has been designed to help you develop skills to meet the health needs of people with learning disabilities, especially those with a profound and multiple learning disability.
It aims to provide a grounding to help you develop skills to meet the health needs of people with learning disabilities. The development of these clinical skills will provide the support that people with learning disabilities may require in order to have a good quality of life.
This module has been designed to help you develop skills to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities, especially those diagnosed as being within the autistic spectrum. Autism is a spectrum of conditions characterised by social, communicative, sensory-motor and cognitive difficulties. The social and psychological consequences can be profound. Autism is a very much misunderstood condition that affects around 1% of the world’s population. Within the UK that amounts to 600,000 people, given a current UK population of around 60 million. If one takes into account the families of those on the spectrum, this figure of 600,000 is likely to become closer to 2.5 million. Consequently, many health and social care professionals are likely to engage with and provide support and care to those on the autism spectrum and their families in a wide range of community and hospital settings.
Level 4 (Mammography)
Download the Cert HE Mammography Course Specification here
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
The aim of this module is to enable you to consolidate and further develop the personal and professional knowledge and skills that are necessary to deliver high quality health and social care.
This module focuses on helping you to develop new and existing skills and knowledge of the academic skills essential to achieve your learning goals in Higher Education. The module also concentrates on your existing clinical knowledge and skills and examines the role of the 6 C’s principles of effective care delivery (Cummings, 2012). Throughout the module you will be given the opportunity to reflect on your existing knowledge and skills, and identify areas in both your academic and clinical practice that you want to develop.
An appreciation of the principles of Anatomy and Physiology plays a central role in the understanding of the workings of the human body. This module will provide an awareness of key physiological systems ensuring you develop an ability to demonstrate the interplay of such systems to maintain the body in homoeostatic balance. This module will also aim to foster recognition of the importance of the underpinning theory that dictates clinical practise. For example enabling you to appreciate the critical awareness of blood pressure and linking the role of the cardiovascular and renal systems to control blood pressure.
This module is appropriate for Trainee Assistant Practitioners who are working in a Breast Imaging Department and will be undertaking the standard routine mammographic imaging of the breast. You will be responsible for your own learning, and will reflect on your clinical experience during your academic studies, and similarly will apply knowledge to practice which will involve provision of effective care to a diverse range of service users from a range of cultural backgrounds.
This module is essential to enable your understanding of the theory and practical applications of physics in the context of radiography or radiotherapy. Radiation physics and the safe and legal use of ionising radiation is an essential aspect of the radiation disciplines. It involves the underlying principles of the nature of matter and associated principles and how that relates to radiation production and attenuation its application to imaging and therapeutic modalities.
Employability
Employment opportunities
The course’s flexible, work-based nature means you’ll become competent as an assistant practitioner in one of a number of areas, such as:
- Maternity
- Diagnostic Radiography
- Mammography
- Radiotherapy
- Management in Health and Social Care
If you wish to undertake further study, you can apply to transfer your foundation degree into the second year of a professional practice degree at Birmingham City University such as BSc (Hons) Nursing or BSc (Hons) Radiography, With the completion of additional modules you may also be able to apply for the BSc (Hons) or Dip (HE) Operating Department Practice.
Facilities & Staff
We have invested £340 million in our facilities, including an upgrade to our Skills and Simulation facilities at City South Campus. We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that you may come across in the workplace. These resources are essential in offering you a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice.
Mock Wards
These are set up to look like typical hospital wards, with four to six bays. Depending on the topic in hand, different manikins can be used as patients and relevant equipment is provided to practise clinical skills. Some of the manikins are interactive and can simulate different scenarios e.g. some allow you to cannulate, check pulses, intubate etc, and some can talk to you. One ward is often used as an adult ward, and the other as a child ward.
These rooms also allow for scenarios to be set up for other professions such as dietetics, paramedic science and social work.
The Operating Theatre and Recovery Suites
The operating theatre and recovery suite gives you the sense of what it would be like in a real surgical environment.
These spaces emulate the full surgical journey from anaesthetics, through surgery and into recovery. ODP students can practice a range of skills including gowning, hand washing, preparing instrument trays, and working with a patient. Nurses and midwives may experience a surgical placement and need to go to theatre or be part of the midwifery team involved with caesarean sections. Many other Allied Health Professionals may also see patients in recovery if necessary.
Home Environment Room
This space is used to simulate non-clinical settings, as not everything health professionals deal with is hospital based. This is used for simulations of home visits and home births. It also houses soft matting and a bubble machine that are used by the Learning Disability Nursing team.
Assisted Living Space
This space replicates a flat and is used for scenarios such as home visits. The sitting room area provides a different space to practise skills and simulations and work with service users and other students.
Assisted Kitchen
This specially designed kitchen has different areas where you can practice cooking, cleaning, boiling the kettle etc., with someone who has actual or simulated visual impairments. There are adapted devices to help, and simulation glasses for you to wear to experience visual impairments.
Physiotherapy Room
This is a space for physiotherapy students to use, with various equipment to practise client meetings.
Radiotherapy Planning Computer Suite
Our computers allow you to plan hypothetical treatments, in terms of angles and directions, ensuring that radiotherapy reaches where it is needed on a patient’s body.
Radiography Image Interpretation and Reporting Stations Computer Suite
These facilities allow you to view and analyse x-rays.
VERT - Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training
This room contains 3D technology to view virtual patients and look at trajectories for treatment.
Radiotherapy
This room contains the same bed/couch used when patients are given radiotherapy treatment. While students of course do not administer radiotherapy in this room, it does allow them to practise adjusting the equipment to make sure both it and a patient would be in the correct position to receive treatment.
Telehealth Room
This room allows for small group teaching in a central area (large boardroom type table) with fiv small telehealth booths down either side. These are to allow all our health professions students to practise delivering healthcare and advice remotely, either over the phone or on a video call. This addition to our teaching reflects moves in the sector to offer more flexible access to healthcare services, particularly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Imaging Academy
This new facility is a larger version of our existing image interpretation computer facilities and forms part of the West Midlands Imaging Academy hub, funded by Health Education England. These expanded facilities will mean we can further develop our courses and expertise in radiography and imaging.
Speech and Language Therapy Resource Room
Our Speech and Language Therapy Team have developed a collection of tools, books and resources to help you learn and understand the implications of a speech or swallowing limitation. You can practise one to one client meetings and clinics and use the video recording equipment to review role play scenarios.
Our staff
Jody Perry
Course Lead, Admissions Lead for FdSc Assistant Practitioner (Health) and Senior Lecturer
Jody initially joined the University as a Health and Safety Advisor has a back ground in Risk Management/Clinical Governance as well as Learning and Development. Before joining the University, Jody worked in the NHS for almost twenty years. In 2014, Jody moved into academia as Senior Lecturer to undertake the role of Undergraduate Lead for...
More about JodyCharlotte Parnham
Maternity Pathway Lead and Deputy Course Lead, FdSc Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship and Senior Lecturer
Charlotte joined BCU in July 2019 as a lecturer. She is also the Maternity Pathway Lead and Deputy Course Lead for the FdSc Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship. Charlotte leads the level 4 and 5 maternity specific modules within the apprenticeship. These range from ‘supporting normal birth’ to ‘supporting the transition to parenting’ and...
More about CharlotteDezita Taylor-Robinson
Course Leader Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care / Senior Lecturer FdSc (Surgical Pathway)
Dezita currently undertakes the role of Senior Lecturer (Surgical Pathway) and Interim Course Leader for the FdSc Health & Social Care Apprenticeship Programme within Birmingham City University. She also delivers pre and post registration education within the Operating Department Practice Programme.
More about Dezita