The University Diploma in First Contact Care is a new programme that has been designed to provide healthcare professionals with the required underpinning knowledge and skills to enable them to become safe competent practitioners working within the context of First Contact Care. It will also enhance their ability to provide holistic care that meets the requirements of a variety of patients and clients.
The course has been designed to combine the University of Gloucestershire’s Diplomas in Unscheduled Care and Triage.
Aims
The educational aims of the University Diploma in First Contact Care are to provide you with opportunities to:
- enhance your underpinning knowledge of holistic health assessment and diagnostics and be able to differentiate between the theories that underpin these skills
- develop clinical examinations skills appropriate to your practice area
- facilitate your improved decision making skills related to working within First Contact Care settings
- practice the skills of history taking, physical assessment, psychosocial assessment and health interviewing working with a variety of clients within First Contact Care settings
- develop the knowledge and skills to work autonomously
Course Content
The University Diploma in First Contact Care is made up of four 15 credit modules. Three of these are compulsory and a fourth one which you can choose from a selection of three. The compulsory modules (AHS325, AHS326 and AHS327) are designed to provide you with the underpinning knowledge and skills you require in health assessment and diagnostics and an opportunity to implement these in your practice. You will also have the opportunity to consider the professional issues related to working in an extending role. The optional, or core, modules include opportunities to consider further evidenced based practice and advanced communication skills as well a work-based practice module which would allow you to look at something specifically related to your job.
The Diploma will run at the Faculty of Sport, Health and Social Care based at Oxstalls Campus in Gloucester on a Thursday starting in September 2008.
Admission Criteria
In order to apply for this course you need to:
- be a health professional who is working within a First Contact Care context but not necessarily a First Contact Care setting
- have the ability to study at Level III, and have usually successfully completed some academic study in the past five years,
- be supported by your employer who will have identified that your work role provides you with the appropriate opportunities to undertake the award, and
- have identified a mentor who is willing to support you and contribute to the assessment of your competency. Your employer will also have to agree that your mentor is suitable to undertake this role.
For more information or an application form please contact Elaine Scott-Brown, the Course Co-ordinator, Wendy Arghyrou, the Course Administrator, or the Education Lead at your employing Trust.