Petroc

FdSc Assistant Practitioner: Health and Social Care

Petroc is one of the largest colleges in Devon and is committed to driving forward educational success in further and higher education. 

We are passionate about raising the aspirations, knowledge and skills of individuals, and year after year our students produce exceptional results, enabling them to progress further in training or employment. 

Petroc has been delivering a range of degree-level courses for over 30 years and is proud to be able to provide a wide variety of programmes (from HNCs and Foundation Degrees to Higher Apprenticeships and Honours Degrees) in subject areas including education, computing, science, engineering, and health and care. 

Petroc has three campuses situated across North and Mid Devon with modern and stimulating learning environments. We also offer small classes, extensive student support and exceptional links to local industry. 

Visit the Petroc website to find out how we can help you go further in life.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    • The Patient Journey and the Care Process (NORD1105)

      This module identifies and promotes the principles of high quality, compassionate patient-centred care practice in relation to the patient journey. The recognition, assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the patient journey will be considered in light of historical developments, policy implementation and most importantly the care process within a multi-disciplinary working environment.

    • Concepts of Health & Wellbeing (NORD1125)

      The economic cost of ill health to western governments is currently unsustainable. Key conceptual thought surrounding paradigm shifts within societal constructs of health and wellbeing will be explored in relation to the processes of globalisation. The module will enable students to contextualise the aforementioned issues and build a systematic and in depth understanding of the concepts of health and wellbeing.

    • Vocational Competence in Health and Social Care Practice (NORD1126)

      This module will introduce the learner to the core employability skills required in contemporary health and social care settings. Essential personal and professional skills sets and attributes will be contextualised to ensure that learners understand the way in which continual personal and professional development is absolutely essential for high quality patient care and effective multidisciplinary team working.

    • Foundations of Health & Social Care Practice (PETR1099)

      This module provides a comprehensive examination of contemporary health and social care provision within the United Kingdom. Factors which influence policy making and policy implementation will be exposed from a critical perspective which takes into consideration the global, national and regional dynamics which affect the way in which health and social care policy is constructed. 

    • Human Growth and Development (PETR1100)

      This module will provide an introduction to the physical and psychological theories related to human growth and development. At the heart of the module will be the study of the life stages and the impact which disease pathology as well as the socio-economic factors have on human growth and development. 

    • Understanding Practice (PETR1101)

      This module will introduce not only the multidimensional role of an assistant practitioner but will also consider in depth the multifaceted dynamics of practice. Generic as well as field specific elements of practice will be investigated to develop a range of healthcare skills and build an appreciation of how important an integrated, holistic and flexible approach to professional practice is in the 21st Century. 

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    • Evidence Based Practice (NORD2107)

      The module will focus on developing the students understandinf of different approaches to research in order to explore the concept of evidence based practice. Through anaylisis and synthesis of research based findings, via both qualitative and quantitative data collection models, the module will delve into the subjects of research methodology, the notion of reliability, validity, authenticity and research ethics.

    • Clinical Competence and Patient Assessment (NORD2108)

      This module will enable students to understand the many factors associated with how illness and morbidity impact on the physiology and health of the human body. Understanding and gaining competency in how to observe, monitor, assess and record vital signs and respond effectively to the deteriorating patient by working within a multidisciplinary team will be at the heart of the module.

    • Leadership and Ethics in Practice (NORD2109)

      This module will develop knowledge of the legal and ethical frameworks underpinning and governing healthcare practice. It will establish the importance of effective leadership and individual responsibility for practice and reinforce the concepts of accountability and liability and encourage the development of informed judgement and professional competence.

    • Public Health and Health Promotion (NORD2110)

      This module will consider, evaluate and analyse the symbiotic relationship which exists between public health and health promotion especially in terms of healthcare practice as a whole, personal responsibility, the care closer to home strategy and the changing nature of regional, national and global health challenges.

    Optional modules

    • Long Term Conditions (NORD2111)

      This module is designed to provide the underpinning knowledge and skills to implement effective evidence based care in the practice and management of long term conditions.

    • Dementia and Cognitive Dysfunction (NORD2112)

      This module will provide knowledge and understanding in the aetiology of dementia and cognitive dysfunction. The associated physiological and psychological impacts of dementia and cognitive dysfunction upon health of the patient and their families will be investigated as well as providing the healthcare practitioner with an understanding and appreciation of the holistic caring approach to living well with dementia.

    • Practice Based Study (NORD2113)

      An opportunity for students to develop their practice, integrating analysis and application of knowledge within a variety of health and socail care practice environments. Students will build on competency based experience already gained in other modules and will direct their attention towards developing an area of future vocational interest.

    • Tissue Viability (NORD2114)

      This module will provide the learner with knowledge and understanding surrounding the importance of maintaining skin integrity. It will also enable the learner to build competence in the management of patients with acute, chronic and complex wounds and provide them with an appreciation as well as an in depth knowledge of the prevention and management of pressure damage as well as the facilitation of wound healing.

    • The Management of the Plus Size Patient (NORD2115)

      This module will enable students to become knowledgeable and analyticallyh aware of the many risks associated with the management of the plus size patient due to their weight, size, shape and impaired health and/or mobility.

    • Working in Multidisciplinary Environments (NORD2116)

      This module will explore the diverse and far reaching impact that multidisciplinary teams have on patient care and service delivery. With government policy aimed at addressing fragmentation in patient services and attempting to coordinate far reaching change towards an integrated model of care, the Assistant Practitioner will need to understand the multifaced nature of the multidisciplinary working environment.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding

As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

How to apply

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Progression routes

Completing this course enables you to progress onto these related courses and programmes with the University of Plymouth at level 5 or level 6, as specifically defined by this programme’s progression agreement.

For further information, including the progression from foundation degree form, please visit https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/business-partners/partnerships/academic-partnerships/study-guide/progression-to-honours-degree

Our partnership with Petroc

The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with Petroc

With main campuses in Barnstaple, Tiverton and Brannams, if you decide to study at the combined college, you’ll be able to take advantage of increased resources and the plethora of learning opportunities associated with them.
 
Plymouth students working on a group project