This course provides a flexible work-based learning programme, enabling students to become competent as an Assistant Practitioner in either Radiotherapy or Diagnostic Radiography.
In order to undertake the programme, potential students must be employed as a Trainee Assistant Practitioner (or equivalent) and have the support of the employing authority.
You can choose from two pathways:
Diagnostic Imaging Pathway
Radiotherapy Pathway
Entry Requirements
The Foundation Degree is relevant to those employees who:
Are working in a Trainee Assistant Practitioner role (or equivalent) and want to further their prospects.
And
Are working towards, or hold, NVQ Level 3 and possess Maths at GCSE grade C or above or equivalent, and ideally English.
Or
Hold NVQ Level 2 in a related subject, plus relevant clinical experience as documented in a portfolio, and possess Maths at GCSE grade C or above or equivalent, and ideally English.
Or
Have a portfolio of evidence demonstrating skills in mathematics, writing, and experience of caring, communications and team working.
Some Trusts may also expect you to pass their entrance interview/exam.
Main Features
If level 4 core modules and level 4 and 5 discipline specific modules are successfully completed, you may ‘step-off’ (intermit) the programme having achieved competencies.
Competence is not linked to any specific clinical area and the achievement of competence is not linked to any specific academic award. However, you will be awarded the appropriate credits for the modules successfully completed. You may ‘step-back’ onto the course at any point in the future with consultation with your employer and programme director.
This course aims to:
Establish the knowledge and skills required to achieve the level of competence necessary to fulfil the role required by individual employers for practice as an Assistant Practitioner, meeting relevant occupational standards.
Encourage a critical and reflective approach to both theory and practice, within the scope of practice of an Assistant Practitioner.
Develop the interpersonal and team working skills and confidence required to establish a career in a caring service.
Provide the academic base required for advanced standing onto a BSc Honours degree.
Diagnostic Imaging Pathway
This pathway is specific for those staff employed and working in diagnostic imaging departments. The pathway covers competencies in axial and appendicular radiography, chest and abdominal radiography, fluoroscopy of the digestive system, theatre and mobile radiography.
Decisions about which competencies to complete are made in conjunction with your employer, but each competency will cover the underlying principles of the radiography of that region, progressing to performing a variety of radiographic examinations.
Radiotherapy Pathway
The aim of the Radiotherapy pathway is to provide employed support workers within a Radiotherapy department with the opportunity to develop their clinical skills and knowledge in order to qualify as an Assistant Practitioner in Radiotherapy.
The pathway covers the theory behind radiotherapy treatment and how this is related to anatomy and cancer diagnosis. Radiotherapy treatment techniques for all areas of the body are covered, both theoretically and clinically. On successful completion of the course you will be able to competently treat the most common diagnoses with megavoltage radiation.
There is also the option to gain competency in superficial radiotherapy and specialist treatments, though this needs to be discussed further with departmental managers and is dependent on department requirements.
How will I be taught?
You will spend a maximum of one day each week at university, although the average is one day per fortnight.
Work-based learning is supported through a portfolio, workbooks, CD-ROM video lectures and on-line conferences via MOODLE.
You will be given the necessary support to use all of these technologies within the first few weeks of the programme. You will be expected to maintain a portfolio throughout the programme. This will contain work and assessments throughout the course and will form an assessment in its own right. The portfolio will enable you to develop lifelong learning and reflective skills.
How will I be assessed?
There are two main forms of assessment for this programme. These are clinical competency assessments and assessed written work. In addition, there are some short tests and some presentations to undertake. The presentations do not have to be verbal; they could be posters, patient information leaflets or videos.
Modules
You will access either the Diagnostic Imaging or Radiotherapy Pathway depending on your employer’s needs.
The core modules are the same for each pathway. A series of ‘discipline specific’ modules are also undertaken to enable you to become competent in your selected area.
To become competent in Radiotherapy, you must undertake six level 4 (certificate level) discipline specific module equivalents and six level 5 (diploma level) discipline specific modules. You can then choose from a selection of optional and/or additional discipline specific modules to build enough credit to obtain your Foundation Degree.
To become competent in Diagnostic Imaging, you must undertake at least 120 credits from discipline specific modules spread across levels 4 and 5. You can then choose from a selection of optional and/or additional discipline specific modules to build enough credit to obtain your Foundation Degree.
In addition, the Diagnostic Imaging Pathway allows you to ‘step-off’ the programme once you have achieved competence in certain areas of diagnostic imaging. Competence is achieved following completion of the level 4 core modules and a group of specified discipline specific modules at levels 4 and 5.
Competence can be achieved in the following areas:
Appendicular Radiography
Axial Radiography
Chest and Abdominal Radiography
Fluoroscopy of the Digestive System
Mammography
Radionuclide Imaging.
Core modules (level 4)
GM4022 Clinical Care, Practice and Skills
GM4130 Introduction to the Personal Progress Portfolio (Radiography)
GM4015 Principles of Radiation Science for Assistant Practice
GM403U Working in Health and Social Care
Core modules (level 5)
GM5215 Development of the Personal Progress Portfolio
GM50W8 Evidence-based Health Care 10
Mammography Modules
This is a competency qualification covering only mammographic examination of the breast.
The modules cover anatomy and physiology of the breast, radiographic imaging, common psychological issues and some quality assurance.
Clinical competency is assessed through logbook and direct observation by qualified practitioners. Trainee Assistant Practitioners have the option of studying additional modules to gain the award of Certificate in Higher Education. This suite of modules is suitable only for Trainee Assistant Practitioners working in breast imaging, but could be studied as part of a full Foundation Degree in Diagnostic Imaging.
Nuclear Medicine Modules
Successful completion of this suite of modules enables staff working within the nuclear medicine department to develop the skills required to support the imaging of nuclear medicine patients.
It is a specific area of competence within the Diagnostic Imaging pathway and aims to develop understanding of, and clinical skills in, basic imaging of specific areas such as renal scanning, pulmonary scanning and skeletal scanning. Other scan techniques will be addressed according to departmental needs. These modules could be studied as an individual competency, for the award of Certificate in Higher Education or as part of the full Foundation Degree in Diagnostic Imaging.
What can I do afterwards?
Once qualified as an Assistant Practitioner you will be able to work alongside radiographers.
On successful completion of the course you will be able to competently treat the most common diagnoses with megavoltage radiation.
There is also the option to gain competency in superficial radiotherapy and specialist treatments, though this needs to be discussed further with departmental managers and is dependent on department requirements.