PgD - Enhanced Clinical Practitioner Apprenticeship
The Enhanced Clinical Practitioner programme enables apprentices to advance their clinical careers and develop the specialist knowledge, skills and confidence required for senior and enhanced practice roles. The programme supports qualified health and social care professionals to manage more complex aspects of patient care, work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to modern healthcare priorities such as community-based care, digital transformation and prevention. Through a flexible, practice-focused approach that integrates academic learning with real-world application, students can tailor their development to their own clinical setting and specialism while gaining a recognised qualification aligned with current NHS and industry standards.
- Specialise in your clinical subject whilst being able to practise your skill in your own field.
- Develop your academic knowledge of level 7 study to support your ability to study toward a Master’s degree on a programme which recognises and values your prior experience and learning.
- Develop your career into roles which require Enhanced Clinical Practitioner accreditation.
- Develop conceptual knowledge and advanced understanding of how techniques of enquiry enable the critical and objective analysis, interpretation and application of research and evidence within your sphere of influence.
- Increase knowledge and leadership skills that will enhance and develop your practice.
In year one, apprentices will focus on developing core clinical and professional skills essential for advanced practice. They will learn advanced physical assessment techniques, clinical reasoning, and the management of patients within their defined scope of practice, including those with complex and long-term conditions. There will also be a focus on leadership development, equipping apprentices with the skills and behaviours to support safe, patient-centred care and contribute effectively within multidisciplinary teams. Workplace learning is integrated throughout, allowing apprentices to apply theory to real-world clinical settings and consolidate their competence in their chosen practice area.
Year 2 builds on year 1 foundations by focusing on independent application of learning and the development of research and quality improvement skills. Apprentices undertake a project relevant to their clinical area, applying evidence-based approaches to plan and implement improvements in practice while considering ethical and organisational impacts. The second year also prepares apprentices for the end-point assessment, ensuring they have achieved the required competencies, behaviours, and knowledge to progress as fully qualified Enhanced Clinical Practitioners.
How you will learn
Learning takes place both synchronously and asynchronously in the online platforms at the University and in the workplace and uses real work-based activities to inform and evidence that learning has taken place. In order to meet nationally set criteria, the minimum required Off the Job learning hours will take place for example in lectures, seminars, job shadowing and industrial visits. The minimum requirement and the planned number of hours required will be specified in the Training Plan and Apprenticeship Agreement for each Apprentice. Apprentices are responsible for evidencing that they have completed the minimum hours set out in the Training Plan before they will be allowed to pass gateway for end point assessment. This is evidenced by the apprentice submitting monthly reports on Off The Job hours completed.
As a student at the University of Cumbria, you are part of an inclusive learning community that recognises diversity. You will have opportunities to learn by interacting with others in a collegiate, facilitative, and dynamic learning environment, as well as undertaking directed learning independently. Teaching, assessment, and student support will allow equal and equitable opportunities for you to optimise your potential and develop autonomy.
We seek to create a stimulating and innovative community of learning, whether encountered on campus or at a distance. Facilitated by our expert practitioner staff, you will experience a learning environment that is well equipped, flexible, and stimulating.
How you will be assessed
The assessment methods used throughout the programme are:
- Written Assignments
- Oral Assessment/Presentation
- Report
- Project Work
- Portfolio
- Feedback
Timely and meaningful feedback is provided to ensure students achieve their potential. The University requires feedback on assessment to be provided to students within a maximum of 20 working days. This programme uses constructive alignment, formative work / feedback and discussion informs summative works. All feedback on summative assessment is provided electronically, attached to the student submission, ensuring consistency of feedback approach and to facilitate ease of access for students. Feedback may be provided via in-text commentary, verbal recording (using the assessment platform) and use of rubric.
