Management of the Acutely Ill Patient in a Variety of Settings

							       Management of the Acutely Ill Patient in a Variety of Settings
       (Level 3 - 40 credits) (FHEQ Level 6)



Who is if for?
Any qualified health care professional who is currently employed in clinical practice
and needs to develop assessment and management skills required to care for
acutely ill patients (level 0 – 1 patient dependency) relevant to their patient group,
e.g. A&E, surgery, medicine, obstetrics. You should normally have a minimum of 6
months post qualification experience.


This course unit involves collaboration between the University of Manchester and the
Critical Care Skills Institute at Trafford. There is the option to choose either a
Portfolio Review Route OR a Taught Route in order to gain 40 credits at Level 3.
The portfolio review route is the preferred route for completing this course unit. In
order to apply for the portfolio review route students should have registered with the
Critical Care Skills Institute and be nearing completion of relevant workshops and
clinical competency document. Before starting the University of Manchester course
it is expected that you will have received the appropriate certificate of competency
from the Critical Care Skills Institute.


The taught route does not require any previous work from the Critical Care Skills
Institute. You will commence workshops and related workbooks and the clinical
competency document alongside two academic assignments all of which need to be
completed within a six month period.


Key Benefits
This unit introduces health care professionals to the underpinning knowledge and
understanding of the management of patients who are requiring level 0-1 care and
who are at risk of becoming acutely unwell. It will encourage student to identify,
assess and evaluate their own learning needs and construct the programme that is
suitable to meet those needs. This will include self directed learning. Working in the
clinical environment this unit will build on your existing knowledge of the use of a
structured and systematic approach in the assessment of the level 0-1 patient
identifying the need for physiological and holistic care. The unit will develop
enhanced knowledge and skills in the evaluation and application of the knowledge of
best evidenced based practice to implement appropriate care for the patient. Using
reflection you will be encouraged to review patient management, to evaluate
outcomes and plan for future management of the patient by identifying and sourcing
relevant input from the multidisciplinary team.


What will I learn?
The course is designed to expand practitioners’ existing knowledge and skills and
help them develop critical thinking to identify evidence-based interventions that
support patients and families experiencing the need for acute intervention.


How is the course assessed?
Two 2,500 word academic assignments related to your own practice. Competence
in practice is assessed by completion of a portfolio of practice based learning
outcomes (Greater Manchester Multi-professional Critical Care Programme). You
will require a mentor/assessor within your own clinical area who is familiar with the
clinical placement document issued by the Critical Care Skills Institute.


Attendance
Up to 36 weeks, each student will receive a personalised schedule of workshops.


Dates of next intake
February 2011


How do I apply?
Send in a completed application form, including the arrangements for funding, to the
Admissions Office, Jean McFarlane Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford
Road, Manchester, M13 9PL. Closing date for application forms is 17th December
2010.


Application Form, Funding Form and Course Schedule are available from:
http://www.nursing.manchester.ac.uk/undergraduate/cpd2/


Telephone: 0161 306 7604 or email:         Crystal.Butler@manchester.ac.uk
Funding
Full funding for the programme and individual course units is available through the
CPD Service Level Agreement (SLA) for staff working in the NHS in Greater
Manchester who meet the entry requirements. In order to access SLA funding this
will need to be agreed and signed off by the authorised SLA signatory in the
organization on an annual basis. Applicants should contact the Education and
Training lead within their organization, Practice educator, or equivalent for more
information.


Candidates may also self fund, the current cost for a level three 40 credits unit is to
be confirmed, please see course schedule available on the above website.


Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
1.     Understand anatomy and physiology, recognitions and treatment of
       pathophysiology.
2.     Recognize physiological deterioration.
3.     Assess, plan, implement and critically evaluate the care of the critically ill.
4.     Critically evaluate the contribution of the multidisciplinary team.
5.     Understand and critically analyse the underpinning professional, ethical and
       legal.
6.     Demonstrate development in leadership by developing and disseminating
       innovation practice.
Intellectual Skills
7.     Provide a rationale for clinical decision making through critical evaluation of
       literature.
8.     Using a systematic approach, prioritise the management of care in an acutely
       ill patient.
9.     Critically reflect on practice and how it can be enhanced and developed
       through learning by experience.
10.    Demonstrate innovation in practice through critical analysis and synthesis of
       The evidence base for practice.
Transferable Skills
11.    Develop information technology skills
12.    Promote independent learning
13.   Recognise own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
14.   Demonstrate time management skills.
15.   Develop effective communication skills.
16.   Demonstrate how innovation grounded in evidence based practice may be
      implemented through change management.
Practical Skills
17.   Demonstrate development of clinical skills and knowledge to a competent
      level.
18.   Identify individual learning needs and develop strategies to meet those needs.
19.   Share knowledge and skills with peers as part of group work or skills
      acquisition.
20.   Demonstrate how developments in practice may be disseminated to the
      multidisciplinary team.