Assistant Practitioner Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree Foundation Degree

Mary Spearman and Helen SmartMary Spearman and Helen Smart

Where are we?Where are we?

NorthumberlandNorthumberland

Tyne & Wear

Durham Tees Valley

Background to the Programme Main vehicle:

Inconsistencies in training No recognised programme of training No standardised roles and

responsibilities No CPD

NHS/GOVERNMENT Initiatives Skills for Health Partnership Working

Development of the Programme

Successful Bid to North East Higher Skills Network

Steering Group and Programme Planning Group set up

Roles and scope of practice mapped Contact with Professional Body and

HPC Development with the Skills for Health

Introduction of the Programme

Implementation/accreditation September 2006

Not without problems First intake January 2009

Who is the Programme for? Any Assistant Practitioners currently

employed by the NHS (will change) New appointments to an Assistant Post in

NHS Any Assistant Practitioners who already

holds certificate NVQ/ACCO/In House trained and wishes to engage in learning and development (currently 1st year is all new people into Footcare Post)

The Programme

2 Year Programme Accredited as Foundation Degree – Leeds

Metropolitan University Year 1 – Level 1

Certificate of Education in Higher Education (120 Credits)

Year 2 Foundation Degree (240 Credits)

What does the Course cover? Modules? Level 1

Work Based Learning (WBL) Foundations of Practise (FOP)

The above modules look at clinic specific activities Introduction to anatomy and physiology Introduction to dermatology Foot Screening Study Skills

What does the Course cover? Modules? Level 2

Work Based Learning 2 (WBL) Foundations of Practise 2 (FOP)

The above modules look at clinic specific activities Body Systems and Disease Biomechanics Advanced Foot Screening Evidence Based Practice

Mentorship

Support still required Training to support mentors Protected Time Partnership

Where we are now – End of Year One Presentations to mentors and

mangers Evaluation

Students Mentors Managers

Lessons learnt

Where we are now – End of Year One

All students passed year

one !!

The Future

Distance Learning Constant review and improvement APEL for existing assistant practitioners Module access for existing practitioners Job Descriptions -SfH Society Accreditation

Thank you

Questions?

Safe Journey Home