School of Nursing and Midwifery

MSc Surgical Care Practitioner (Cardiothoracic Surgery)

Advance your professional expertise and specialist knowledge with MSc Surgical Care Practitioner (Cardiothoracic Surgery). Consider approaches to care delivery, investigate the surgical patient experience and conduct a research investigation into a topic tailored to your own needs, enabling you to practice at an advanced level in this emerging specialist role.

First choice for health

Delivered by professional experts, our programmes are tailored to you and your career. Together, we address today's most challenging healthcare issues, through research-informed teaching and active, real-world learning. #firstchoiceforhealth 

Key features

  • Advance your professional expertise and specialist knowledge through learning tailored to your specialty. 
  • Consider research approaches to care delivery and investigate the surgical patient experience.
  • Expand your research knowledge and skills to design and conduct your own study.
  • Benefit from professorial academic, and theoretical teaching. Visiting lecturers include current practising qualified Surgical Care Practitioners and Consultant Surgeons.
  • Further your career progression through the Knowledge and Skills Framework on completion of the MSc - national examples include practitioners achieving Band 8a and 8b, who manage their own operation lists, or organise and deliver screening and follow-up programmes.
  • Royal College of Surgeons accredited programme.
This programme is also available as an Apprenticeship MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Surgical Care. For further information on the apprenticeship route and details of how your employer can apply for you please visit our apprenticeship webpage. 

Course details

  • Programme overview

  • Conduct a research investigation into a topic tailored to your own speciality and workplace.

    Optional modules

    • Substantive Professional Project (SPP702)

      The substantive project enables the student to demonstrate their ability to manage practice development. The project provides an opportunity to apply knowledge and understanding of methodology and methods to develop an area of practice, evaluating the impact or potential impact upon the practice area. Students may undertake this project in their actual workplace, or the workplace may be a defined sphere of practice.

    • Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare Practice (APP718)

      Students will analyse, explore and debate ethical and legal concepts, issues and theories relating to health and social care. This module gives students the tools necessary to undertake critical decisions within their professional practice enabling them to reflect on their knowledge, their practice, and the conduct and performance of healthcare organisations.

    • Advancing Knowledge of Learning and Teaching for Practice (APP759)

      This module prepares the student to make a demonstrable contribution to education and take a lead role in the development of education in practice. Participants are enabled to apply contemporary educational knowledge, skills, and behaviour to address emerging issues in educational practice. The module is designed to be delivered face-to-face, by blended learning and/or via distance learning approaches.

    • Advancing Practice in Context (APP701)

      This module will enable the student to develop their professional understanding within Advancing Practice, allowing them to consider the legal and ethical boundaries, the working environment and the complexities of their practice.

    • CBT Interventions for Mental Health Professionals (Psychosis) (APP707)

      This module will focus on the development of in depth knowledge and skills in the use of CBT with a focus on supporting people experiencing psychosis. This includes effective assessment, formulation and the development of therapeutic relationships and skills required for the effective and adaptable use of CBT in psychosis. There will be a focus on reflective practice and workplace-based cases to ensure clinical relevance.

    • Working with People with a Diagnosis of Personality Disorder (APP709)

      The module seeks to underpin modern mental health practice in working with people whose personality difficulties lead them to come into conflict with others, engage in harm to themselves or to be labelled as 'personality disordered. The module is designed to address evidence based interventions in a range of settings. There will be a focus on reflective practice and workplace-based cases to ensure clinical relevance.

    • The Fundamentals of Health Assessment (APP717)

      This module is designed to enable healthcare professionals to critically examine and develop in an area of professional clinical practice, in a range of settings. Taught workshops will guide the student, building on their pre-existing body of knowledge to further develop their skills in health assessment, clinical examination and clinical reasoning.

    • Advanced Newborn and Infant Examination (APP719)

      This module enables practitioners who have undertaken a programme of learning to demonstrate mastery in the examination of the newborn/infant, applying complex and creative synthesis of the evidence base to this autonomous professional role.

    • Advanced Newborn and Infant Examination (APL) (APP720DL)

      This module enables practitioners who have undertaken a programme of learning to demonstrate mastery in the examination of the newborn/infant, applying complex and creative synthesis of the evidence base to this autonomous professional role.

    • Advanced Newborn and Infant Examination (APL) (APP720P)

      This module enables practitioners who have undertaken a programme of learning to demonstrate mastery in the examination of the newborn/infant, applying complex and creative synthesis of the evidence base to this autonomous professional role.

    • Perinatal Mental Health (APP721)

      This module will prepare students to show mastery of knowledge and the development and management of the care of childbearing women with perinatal mental health needs. It is research informed and prepares students to interrogate the available evidence to inform decision making. The needs of mothers and babies; before, during and after birth, will be at the centre of care with a strong emphasis on respect and dignity.

    • The Child and Young Person with Mental Health Needs (APP727)

      This module will enhance existing knowledge and skills of the holistic care of children with mental health needs and their family.

    • Preceptorship (APEL) (APP728)

      This module is specifically designed to enable students to accredit their professional preceptorship practice development through by building on and reflecting on their learning and experience gained through undertaking a preceptorship Programme within their organisation.

    • Advancing the Care and Support of the Person with Dementia and their Carer (APP732)

      This module is designed to meet the educational needs of practitioners who care for the person with dementia and their carer in a general setting. This module will link evidence based theory to current clinical practice and provide strategies in order to improve service delivery and give effective high quality care.

    • Management of Children/ Young People Requiring Urgent or Emergency Care (APP738)

      This module will enhance practitioners existing knowledge and skills in the holistic care of children/young people within the context of the family. It will facilitate the recognition, assessment and management of children/young people requiring urgent or emergency care for illness/injury in a range of settings.

    • Enhancing Practice in Paediatric Palliative Care (APP739)

      This inter-professional module aims to enhance the deeper practice of all professionals delivering palliative care to children, young people and their families. The module will build upon existing knowledge and experience while enabling students to develop a critical and reflective approach to the care of a child or young person on a palliative care pathway.

    • Enhancing Practice in Paediatric Palliative Care (APP739Z)

      This inter-professional module aims to enhance the deeper practice of all professionals delivering palliative care to children, young people and their families. The module will build upon existing knowledge and experience while enabling students to develop a critical and reflective approach to the care of a child or young person on a palliative care pathway.

    • Advocacy and Education for Quality Improvement in Practice (A-EQUIP) Full module (APP741)

      This module will ensure that A-EQUIP is able to be delivered in practice. It will prepare registrants in the supervision which will be determined locally based on operational guidance that has been developed by NHS England.

    • Substance Misuse and Dual Diagnosis (APP744)

      This module focuses on the services and interventions for people who misuse a range of substances or have 'dual diagnosis' implying co-existing mental health problems. Participants will develop their skills for working with this group, consider the influence of various models and approaches as well as the issues for them as individuals and for society.

    • Surgical First Assistant (APP748)

      Develop mastery of clinical skills, knowledge and competence to safely perform the role of Surgical First Assistant as described by the Perioperative Care Collaborative (2018).

    • Supervision of Learning and Assessment in Practice (APP749)

      This module will enable the student to enhance their role in providing a contribution to the education and facilitation of students/learners and the development of education within their practice setting.

    • Critical Care of Children and Young People, Advancing Knowledge and Skills (APP751)

      This module will challenge the knowledge and skills of health care professionals in the care of the deteriorating child and young person requiring critical care. The module will build upon the existing knowledge of participants, and through critical analysis apply this to the care of the child/young person requiring critical care across a range of clinical settings.

    • Work Based Learning (APP752)

      This module enables the student to identify individual work based objectives that address the learning outcomes (see below) of this module.

    • Diabetes Mellitus (APP754)

      A module for the practitioner to explore core knowledge issues relating to diabetes mellitus, based upon diabetes competencies.

    • Transition into General Practice (APP755)

      This module provides education to support professional development in general practice and primary care networks. Students will learn about and develop skills in the analysis of delivering person-centred care with a focus on primary prevention, public health initiatives and health screening.

    • Transition into General Practice (APP755E)

      This module provides education to support professional development in general practice and primary care networks. Students will learn about and develop skills in the analysis of delivering person-centred care with a focus on primary prevention, public health initiatives and health screening.

    • Embedding in General Practice (APP756)

      This module aims to equip those working in a general practice setting or primary care networks with the necessary generic practice skills to function in this environment whilst encouraging a critical view of practice and the developing of strategies for change.

    • Advancing within General Practice (APP757)

      This module aims to equip students with knowledge, understanding and capability to deliver person-centred care required to fulfil the role of the General Practice Nurse as defined by the RCGP Nursing standards and in alignment with national Department of Health and Health Education England initiatives. Through undertaking a comprehensive health assessment develop treatment and management strategies.

    • Enhanced Maternal Care (APP761)

      This module will provide the practitioner with an in depth knowledge and understanding of Enhanced Maternal Care (EMC) in the Obstetric Unit (OU) setting. It will encompass a comprehensive examination of all aspects of Enhanced Maternal Care and the decision making that underpins such care.

    • Emergency Nursing Care (APP762)

      This module is designed to enable nursing staff to develop existing professional skills in Emergency Care. They will critically evaluate and develop specialist knowledge in order to effectively assess, prioritise, plan and deliver effective evidence-based care to the patient presenting to the Emergency Department.

    • Sexual Health (Family Planning and Women's Health) (APP763)

      This module has been specifically designed to focus on the principles and issues involved in delivering contraceptive services to women within the community setting. This includes comprehensive coverage of managing fertility and incorporates key competences to be gained in practice.

    • Public Health and Health Promotion (APP764)

      This module provides the opportunity to critically explore contemporary approaches to public health and health promotion. Participants will develop their knowledge of population health, health protection, and health promotion nationally and with communities and individuals.

    • Advanced Psychosocial Assessment and Formulation (APP765)

      This module will enable students to develop a systematic understanding of conceptual frameworks and the use of therapeutic factors to undertake comprehensive and collaborative biopsychosocial assessments of mental health presentations, and develop a critical understanding of person-centred formulations and the use of internationally recognised classification criteria. There will be a focus on reflective practice and application.

    • Developing Expertise in Urgent & Emergency Care (APP766)

      This module is designed to enable healthcare professionals to critically examine and develop in an area of professional clinical practice, in Urgent & Emergency Care. Taught workshops will guide the student, building on their pre-existing body of knowledge to critically develop their skills in health assessment, clinical examination and clinical reasoning.

    • Mental Health Assessment in Urgent, Emergency and Acute Care (APP767)

      This module aims to increase knowledge and skills of practitioners working in urgent, emergency and acute care settings and who work with individuals experiencing mental health issues. It explores the principles and process of mental health assessment and the practice of determining appropriate intervention alongside prioritisation of client need based on the current guidance.

    • Coaching and Leadership (APP768)

      Coaching and Leadership is a module focused on developing your confidence and competence to lead and develop yourself and others. Students will be able to understand and explore coaching theory and practice using a variety of tools in order to underpin coaching and leadership practice.

    • Enhancing End of Life Care and Palliative Care Practice (APP729DL)

    • Embedding in General Practice (APP756E)

      This module aims to equip those working in a general practice setting or primary care networks with the necessary generic practice skills to function in this environment whilst encouraging a critical view of practice and the developing of strategies for change.

    • Advancing within General Practice (APP757E)

      This module aims to equip students with knowledge, understanding and capability to deliver person-centred care required to fulfil the role of the General Practice Nurse as defined by the RCGP Nursing standards and in alignment with national Department of Health and Health Education England initiatives. Through undertaking a comprehensive health assessment develop treatment and management strategies.

    • Clinical Decision Making and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice (APP771)

      The practitioner will develop a cognitive approach to apply theories and clinical decision making to patients seen in practice. The aim will be to underpin this approach with high-level judgements in complex decision across a broad and generic range of presentations, incorporating comprehensive health assessments and appropriate, well-proportioned and a safe management plans. This will include exploration of various investigations and their interpretations, pharmacology therapeutics, conservative advice and safety netting. There is a focus on interdisciplinary learning to develop the skills needed to make safe, sound clinical decisions within a range of clinical settings, when consulting with patients and clients with diverse health needs across all healthcare settings. At the end of the module, the learner will be able to complete a systematic and structured consultation including history taking, physical examinations and developing an appropriate and reasoned management plan, relating findings to the ultimate goal of clinical decision making.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc ACP in Surgical Care programme specification 5830

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Entry requirements

To apply for this programme, you'll need:
  • a named consultant surgeon who will be your clinical supervisor
  • a current and live registration with either the Nursing and Midwifery Council (Part 1 or 2) or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check (previously CRB)
  • a satisfactory occupational health clearance.
UK/EU
A relevant degree with honours or an equivalent professional qualification. Other qualifications accompanied by substantial experience in an appropriate field may also be considered. Non-standard applications will be considered on a case by case basis. 
You must be employed full-time in an appropriate role within a suitable hospital able to provide training with a UK setting, and you must have support of the clinical manager to undertake this programme of study whilst employed.
International
We are unable to take international students on this programme as they have to be in an employed position as a trainee surgical care practitioner.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for postgraduate taught programmes. Tell me more about scholarships and bursaries.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary. 

Fees, costs and funding

Please see the module webpage SPP702 for further information. 
Please be aware that there may be additional costs to undertaking your studies relating to printing of course materials, and requirement for an initial outlay for travel and accommodation in respect of practice placement. If you have any questions regarding these costs please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
International
If you are studying on a programme where placements are integral to your study there are costs associated with travel and accommodation. Please speak with the programme admissions tutor to find out more.

Tuition fee discount for University of Plymouth graduates

If you studied your undergraduate degree at Plymouth, you may be eligible for a fee discount if you complete your postgraduate studies here as well.
  • 10% or 20% discount on tuition fees for home students 
  • £2,000 discount on tuition fees for international students 
.

How to apply

Applying for this programmeApplications need to be completed via the PG apply online form.
Any questions please contact:
Email: pduadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk
Professional Development Unit
4th floor, Rolle Building
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth, PL4 8AA
Tel: +44 (0)1752 586951
What happens after I apply?
After your application is received, it will be processed and sent to the Programme Lead for a decision to be made on your suitability to study. You may be asked to provide additional information or to take part in an interview (for overseas students this may be by telephone or video conference). Once this decision has been made, you will be sent an email either confirming your place on the programme, or rejecting your application and giving the reasons for this decision (you may request further feedback in order to improve your chances of selection at a later date).
Please note that you will be enrolled on the full MSc programme. You may choose to exit with the qualification of PgCert upon completion of an appropriate 60 credits, or a PgDip upon completion of an appropriate 120 credits. More information is contained within the programme specification.
For applicants with disabilities
If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by the University of Plymouth, please visit our Disability Services webpage.
PgDip Surgical Care Practitioner (Cardiothoracics)

MSc Surgical Care Practitioner pathways

We offer three specialist Surgical Care Practitioner programme pathways at masters level.

Tips for applying to the MSc Surgical Care Practitioner course

Anna Valente, PgDip Surgical Care Practitioner (Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery) and James Cartwright, PgDip Surgical Care Practitioner (Cardiothoracic Surgery) talk about the programme.

Student insights

I felt I had reached the top of my game and I didn’t see anywhere else that I could develop. This course has put me into a position where I can do something different with the skills that I’ve acquired.
Wayne Johnson, PgDip Surgical Care Practitioner (Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery)

Career opportunities

Our MSc Surgical Care Practitioner will equip you to perform as an advanced practitioner that provides surgical and clinical care across the entire patient journey from the pre-admission clinic to the operating theatre to post-surgery ward care.
You’ll both work autonomously and collaboratively as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust