Oncology for Health and Social Care Practitioners

Postgraduate Certificate

This programme has been specifically designed for senior health and social care practitioners working in primary, secondary and tertiary settings in a variety of roles which include direct care provision, support, research, management and education.

Campus Chester
Course Postgraduate Certificate
Length 3 years maximum Part-time
Start dates January 2012
September 2012

It aims to offer a coherent programme of study directly relevant to the work environment of practitioners working in health and social care.

  • Promote a deep understanding of issues which affect the quality of cancer care, and through this to enable health and social care practitioners to positively influence the health and wellbeing of those affected by cancer.
  • Provide a critical awareness of how the context of organisational provision impacts on the quality of cancer services.
  • Promote a critical understanding of the impact of cancer on those affected by the disease.
  • Help practitioners to develop strategies to effect quality cancer care at individual and organisational levels.
  • Promote recognition of the crucial role of effective communication in cancer and palliative care, and its application within the work environment.
  • Continue to develop the practitioners' skills in collaborative practice and the partnership delivery of cancer care, and to consider the impact of their professional role within the organisation and wider context.

 

Why study this course?

This course is suitable for health and social care practitioners who would like to positively influence cancer care provision.

 

Features:

This unique course offers practitioners involved in support and/or service provision, direct care, research and management of those affected by cancer, the opportunity to develop their roles by exploring the relationship between context, evidence and their own practice.

The Advanced communication skills in cancer and palliative care module, also incorporates the Advanced Communications Skills Training programme accredited by the National Cancer Action Team.

Next: Modules

Programme Structure:

This programme is part-time, leading to a PG Cert in Oncology.

It provides students with the opportunity to critically examine both the wider cancer agenda and the impact of cancer care on those affected by the disease, in order to effect quality cancer care.

The programme supports interprofessional learning between a range of practitioners including specialist nurses, allied health professionals, researchers and managers who have responsibility for cancer care and/or cancer services in cancer and non-cancer specific settings.

The teaching and learning approaches include e-learning and blended learning, which enhance access to the programme in addition to facilitating different learning styles.

The programme is modular in design and requires successful completion of three 20 credit modules at level 7. Modules can also be accessed on a standalone basis.

The programme has two core modules:

  • NM7100 Enhancing quality in cancer care.
  • NM7101 Improving the experiences of people living with and beyond cancer.

The third module focuses on communication in cancer and palliative care, and must be selected from one of two options:

  • NM7102 Advanced communication skills in cancer and palliative care

or

  • NM7212 Communication and collaboration in palliative care.
Next: Assessment

Description:

Within the programme there are a range of assessment strategies that reflect the individual module content.

In Enhancing quality in cancer care, the student has to contribute to online discussions and write an essay or report which proposes a strategy for overcoming a challenge to quality in the practitioner’s area of practice.

In Improving the experiences of people living with and beyond cancer, the student has to undertake a seminar presentation and write an essay related to an issue from practice

In Advanced communication skills in cancer and palliative care, the student has to undertake an Objective Structured Clinical Examination plus a critique of skills used.

Next: Careers

The course seeks to support the development of the role of practitioners who are involved in direct or indirect provision of cancer services. Should students wish to continue to study at level 7, the PG Cert would lend itself to APL into the Faculty’s MSc Professional Studies programme.

Next: Entry requirements

This programme supports widening access and applications from interested practitioners are encouraged.

Applicants must be:

Health and social care professionals or practitioners whose role involves promoting quality services and interventions for people affected by cancer.

Able to provide evidence of ability to study at level 7

Extra Information:

UCAS points  
GCE A Level  
BTEC  
Irish/Scottish  
International Baccalaureate  
QAA  
Extra Information  
Beginning: Overview

Who to contact

  • For admission enquiries

    Health and Social Care Admissions
    T:
    01244 511000
    hscadmissions@chester.ac.uk

  • For enquiries about course content

    Debbie Wyatt, Programme Leader
    Riverside campus University of Chester Castle Drive Chester

    CH1 1SL

    T:
    01244 511657
    d.wyatt@chester.ac.uk