Course unit details:
Advanced Paediatric Diagnostic Skills (B): work based learning
Course unit fact file
Unit code |
NURS60082 |
Credit rating |
15 |
Unit level |
FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
Teaching period(s) |
Variable teaching patterns |
Available as a free choice unit? |
No |
Overview
The course unit aims to prepare the student for advanced clinical practice and by so doing contribute to excellent Heath & Social Care Service delivery through the provision of robust clinical skills training utilising a range of supervisory and coaching methods in clinical practice.
It will use a blended learning approach that combines the learning gained from the theoretically based unit that supports this unit.
The unit will critically analyse and evaluate advanced practice in healthcare using application and reflection in relation to their own practice with the support of practice based mentors who are experts in their field of practice in children and young people’s health.
Aims
This unit aims to evaluate and synthesise the skills and knowledge needed by practitioners to assess children and young people across health and social care settings in a work based setting.
By the end of the course unit Level 7 students should be able to:
• Demonstrate an advancing working knowledge of paediatric anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology in relation to their work with children, young people and families
• Justify and defend the approaches used to conduct a clinical assessment and the subsequent application of findings to the development of potential differential diagnosis.
• Critique and synthesise contemporary evidence based practice, research, guidelines, protocols and care pathways informing the care, management and treatment of children and young people in their care.
• Critically reflect upon their personal development needs in order to meet the required paediatric clinical competencies through the use of critical reasoning and reflection, effective communication and the use of logical and systematic approaches to clinical decision making at advanced practice level.
Teaching and learning methods
Learning in practice (student own practice area) will be supported through the development of a learning contract between student and mentor, and facilitated by University and practice based Advanced Practice Teaching Fellow.
In practice students will learn in their own field through identification of a Practice Supporter who will facilitate observation and analysis of clinical skills, and enable supervised practice and feedback to support student learning.
All learning will be supported by Elearning and access to online resources i.e. videos, podcasts and related web site links and from the learning gained from the sister unit Advanced Paediatric Diagnostic Skills (A)
Service user and carer support and feedback will be utilised in this work based approach to support clinical work and engage with users in a guided and meaningful manner
Knowledge and understanding
- Critically analyse, synthesise and develop a systematic understanding of key concepts and theories related to history taking, assessment and clinical decision making
- Apply in-depth knowledge, understanding and comprehension of paediatric anatomy and physiology, including embryological development and its relationship to congenitally acquired anomalies, to their advancing clinical practice.
- Develop expert understanding of the ways in which illness affects the child and young person
Intellectual skills
- Critically evaluate current health care practice as a health care practitioner to improve the quality of health and social care delivered to children, young people and their families.
- Identify and critically appraise information from a variety of sources to develop a coherent critical evaluation of issues relating to advanced healthcare practice
- Analyse clinical findings to derive appropriate differential diagnosis to decide on relevant diagnostic testing.
- Develop a deeper insight into the significance of laboratory information and radiological findings to confirm/refute clinical diagnosis and guide further clinical management.
- Develop a robust management plan which is current, evidence based and within practice guidelines and articulate this plan to a wide multidisciplinary team.
- Recognise and distinguish the unique and individual health needs and concerns of children with complex care issues and sensitively manage expectations of parents/carers, making appropriate referrals to external agencies as required
- Demonstrate initiative in analysing problems and critically evaluates current practice
- Recognise how their practice enables the safeguarding of children and young people in their care
Practical skills
- Demonstrate competence in a range of practical procedures relating to their clinical field of practice within the limits of their professional codes and limits of competence.
- Ability to Take a thorough medical, social and family history appropriate to the presenting complaint
- Complete a thorough top-to-toe paediatric clinical examination, correctly identify and interpret clinical signs, document finding.
- Integrate health assessment and promotion into consultations and practice
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Critically reflect on own academic and clinical performance and utilize a range of strategies to improve these and overcome challenges
- Further develop and enhance skills in advanced communication to a range of audiences in a variety of settings
- Demonstrate effective multiagency and professional working in clinical practice
- Utilise skills in systematic and creative approaches to problem-solving and decision-making in relation to complex clinical and non-clinical issues to advance clinical practice in relation to their own professional group
- Act professionally at all times and be able to recognise the boundaries and limits to their own practice
Assessment methods
Method |
Weight |
Portfolio |
100% |
Feedback methods
Students will normally have the opportunity to receive feedback on formative work submitted prior to the summative assessment. Other feedback opportunities will also be available in class and online discussion boards. Online feedback is provided in Grademark. Provisional feedback based on internal marking will be made available prior to the Exam Board on the basis that these marks are yet to be ratified at the Exam Board and therefore may be subject to change. A standard feedback mechanism in Grademark is utilised across all postgraduate programmes within the School which provides detailed and constructive feedback on each component and aspect of assessment and identifies areas of strength and those aspects which could be enhanced.
Student feedback is obtained through open discussion forums on blackboard, in class discussions, via formal University unit evaluation forms and also qualitative, in house evaluations at the end of the unit.
Study hours
Placement hours |
Placement |
180 |
Independent study hours |
Independent study |
20 |
Teaching staff
Staff member |
Role |
Helen Hardy |
Unit coordinator |
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