Course Comparison

Course
PgCert First Contact Practitioner in Primary Care (Occupational Therapy) PgCert First Contact Practitioner in Primary Care (Musculoskeletal)
Award
Postgraduate Certificate - PgCert Postgraduate Certificate - PgCert
Duration
1 year 1 year
Assessment breakdown
- -
Course type
Part-time Distance learning Part-time
Placement
- -
Location
Plymouth Distance UK Plymouth
Provider
School of Health Professions School of Health Professions
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally have a first degree, BSc (Hons) at 2:2 or above in a related subject, HCPC registration as an Occupational Therapist and minimum of three years post registration practice.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice i.e. IELTS average of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each category.
In addition to the entry requirements above, there are a number of specific admission criteria for this programme that will ensure applicants access this programme at the right time within their professional practice. These align with national frameworks and will be clearly outlined to the student.

Specific admissions criteria are:
  • Applicants are able to evidence that they have the relevant Occupational Therapy experience, normally this is a minimum of 3 years post registration experience.
  • Applicants are able to provide evidence of HCPC registration.
  • Applicants must have support of workplace to enrol on the PgCert First Contact Practitioner in Primary Care (Occupational Therapy).
The final module, ADV777 First Contact Practitioner in Primary Care Practice placement module maps to stage 2 of the HEE verification process for First Contact Practitioner (Occupational Therapy). The placement module involves a number of hours of clinical practice and support of a clinical mentor. The First Contact Practitioners (Occupational Therapy) HEE Roadmap requires students to be employed in a First Contact Practitioner (Occupational Therapy) Primary Care setting in order to commence Stage 2, this is to ensure they are able to demonstrate their capability in practice. Workplace support and identification of a suitable clinical mentor will be part of the admissions criteria for enrolment on the First Contact practitioner in Primary Care (Occupational Therapy) PgCert (as outlined above).
Applicants will normally have a first degree, BSc (Hons) at 2:2 or above; or European first cycle equivalent plus a professional qualification in health or social care.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice i.e. IELTS average of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each category.
In addition to the entry requirements above there are a number of specific admission criteria for this programme that will ensure students access this programme at the right time within their professional practice.
Specific admissions criteria are:
1. Applicants are able to evidence that they have the relevant MSK experience and are working at an advanced level in the treatment/ management of musculoskeletal pathology, normally this is a minimum of 5 years post registration including 3 years MSK experience. 
2. Applicants are able to provide evidence of registration as healthcare professionals.
3. Applicants must have support of workplace to enrol on the First Contact practitioner in primary care (musculoskeletal) PgCert.
4. To enrol on ADV773 students must have, in addition to the above:
  • completed ADV767 Advanced Clinical Reasoning in Musculoskeletal Conditions Module 
  • completed the relevant e-learning modules (eLfH) 
  • identified an appropriate CPD mentor for ADV 773 The role of the first contact practitioner within primary care module.
5. To enrol on ADV777 First contact practitioner in primary care practice placement module students must have:
  • successfully completed ADV773 The role of the first contact practitioner within primary care module
  • identified an appropriate clinical mentor in primary care.