Faculty of Health and Social Care
Module Specification
a
Module title
Fundamental Clinical Skills for Non-registered
Healthcare Practitioners
b
Module code (enter code or ‘NEW’)
47586 Semester 1
47587 Semester 2
47588 Semester 3
c
Module Leader
Nicola Morton/Carol Purcell
d
Credits
10
e
Level
4
f
Semester
1, 2, 3
g
Pre-requisites
None
h
Concurrent modules
None
i
Post-requisites
None
j
Mandatory constraints
None
k
Advisory constraints
None
l
Rationale
The module forms part of the University Certificate in
Practice Skills for Health and Social Care programme,
and may be accessed as a ‘stand alone’ module or as
a component part of the Flexible Degree Framework.
Skilled Health Care Assistants/ Associate Practitioners
are valued members of any clinical practice team. As
evidenced by the Department of Health, prevention of
infections and infection control are considered to be
high priority within health and social care
environments. Health care acquired infections affect
hundreds of thousands of people every year in the UK
causing misery and wastage of resources.
Physiological measurements and observations of a
patient or client allows the health care worker to
observe, measure, record and report signs of a
change or deterioration in a person’s health.
Knowledge and understanding of basic physiology is
essential for physiological measurements and
observations to be meaningful. The prompt
recognition of any change in condition will contribute
to improving the quality of care for patients and clients.
Knowledge and understanding of basic physiology,
safety and infection control and the correct use of the
equipment required is essential in order to ensure the
safe and accurate procedure is followed when
obtaining venous blood samples.
m
Aims and distinctive features
The module will equip the student with the essential
knowledge, understanding and practical skills in
infection-prevention and control, and the safe handling
of sharps.
This module will provide the student with knowledge
and understanding of the theory and practice
underpinning a range of physiological measurements
and observations, together with opportunity to practice
those measurements and observations in a simulated
environment. Scenarios will be used to discuss
conditions and illnesses which may cause deviation
from normal values.
This module will also ensure that the student has the
required knowledge and understanding of the safe and
accurate procedure of obtaining venous blood
samples in a simulated environment.
n
Learning outcomes
On completion of the module the student will be able
to:
1. Provide and discuss a rationale for the use of
Standard Precautions in health and social
care environments
2. Demonstrate effective hand hygiene
techniques and the correct use of personal
protective equipment (PPE).
3. Identify principles for good practice to
minimise the risk of accidental sharps injuries
and describe the procedure to follow in the
event of such an injury
4. Discuss the indications for and the importance
of accurately recording physiological
measurements and observations
5. Describe basic anatomy and physiology
related to physiological measurements,
observations and venous blood sampling.
6. Demonstrate accurate measurement and
recording of specified physiological
measurements and observations
7. Demonstrate the accurate procedure when
obtaining venous blood samples
8. Identify situations where advice or assistance
should be sought from health or social care
professionals
o
Learning and teaching strategy
The study time expected for this module is 100 hours,
to include 20 hours contact time delivered over 2.5
days.
Additional hours may be negotiated to allow further
practice of physiological measurement skills.
Learning and teaching strategies will include:
 Lecture
 Group work
 Discussion
 Demonstration and practice
p
Arrangements for revision and
private study
Students will be supported to access module
information, learning materials and resources through
the university Virtual Learning Environment (eBridge).
Academic support will be available through the module
leader.
q
Methods of assessment
The assessment strategy for this module is:
 Demonstration of safe and accurate
practice in the performance and recording
of physiological measurements (25%)
This will be an objective structured clinical
examination (OSCE) type examination in a
simulated environment
 Demonstration of safe and accurate
practice when obtaining a venous blood
sample in a simulated environment (25%)
(OSCE type examination in a simulated
environment)
 Multiple Choice Question Test (50%)
Assessment for this 10 credit module at level 4 has
equivalence with the University assessment tariff.
A pass must be achieved in all components of the
assessment. If a student fails either element at the
first attempt, then they will only need to be reassessed
in the failed element. One further attempt at the failed
component(s) will be allowed.
r
s
Methods of reassessment
(if different to q)
Identify any ethical issues that
relate to the modules’ teaching and
assessment.(supporting material
may be monitored from time to
time)
N/A
Case study/ scenario or similar methods of teaching or
assessment will utilise fictitious patient information.
Task trainers will be used in the simulated
environment for teaching and learning techniques to
obtain venous blood samples.
Volunteers/ actors will be utilised for the objective
structured clinical examination (OSCE) in the
simulated environment.
t1 Assessment Specification
The student is required to:
Demonstrate safe and accurate practice in the performance
and recording of physiological measurements
Relates to learning outcome no
1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8
Demonstrate safe and accurate practice when obtaining a
venous blood sample
1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8
Complete a Multiple Choice Question Test
1, 3, 4, 5, 8
t2 External examiner
Appointed
Name
Caroline Hardy
t3 Programme - module learning outcomes - mapping to internal/external reference points
Module
outcomes
Programme
outcomes
(University
Certificate)
1
A1, A3, A4,
A5, B3,
B4,C3, D2
A1, A3, A4,
A5, B3,
B4,C3, C4,
D2
A1, A3, A4,
A5, B3,
B4,C3, C4,
D2
A1, A3, A4,
A5, B3, B4,
C1, C3, C4,
C5, D2, D3
A1, A4, B3,
B4
A1 – A5
B3, B4
C1 – C5
D1, D2, D3
2
3
4
5
6
7
A1 – A5
B3, B4
C1 – C5
D1, D2, D3
8
A1, A2, A3,
B3, C3, C5,
D3
National
Occupational
Standards
for Health
and Social
Care
HSC22
HSC32
Knowledge and Skills
Framework (NHS KSF)
Dimension and level
descriptor
Framework
for Higher
Education
Qualification
(QAA, 2008)
2 (2), 3(2), 4(2), 5(2),
HWB1(1)
Programme
Outcomes
Foundation
Degree in
Community
Care
A1, A5, A10,
B3
HSC22
HSC32
2(2), 3(2), 5(2),
HWB1(1)
A1, A5, A10
B3, C4, D3
Level 4
HSC22
HSC32
HSC42
2(2), 3(2), 5(2)
A1, A5, A10,
B3, C3, D3
Level 4
HSC32
HSC361
2(2), 3(2), 5(2)
A1, B3, D3
Level 4
HSC32
HSC361
HSC22
HSC32
HSC35
HSC222
HSC361
HSC22
HSC32
HSC35
HSC222
HSC361
HSC238
HSC32
2 (2), 3(2), 5(2)
A1, B3
Level 4
1(2), 2(2), 3(2), 5(2),
6(2), HWB1(1),
HWB2 (2), HWB5(1),
HWB71(1)
A1, A5, B2,
B3, C1, C4,
D1, D4
Level 4
1(2), 2(2), 3(2), 5(2),
6(2), HWB1(1),
HWB2 (2), HWB5(1),
HWB71(1)
A1, A5, B2,
B3, C1, C3,
C4, D1, D4
Level 4
1(2), 2(2), 3(2), 5(2),
HWB3(1)
A1, A5, B2,
C3, D3
Level 4
Level 4
References
DH (2004) The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (NHS KSF) and the Development Review
Process. London, NHS
Quality Assurance Agency (2008) The framework for higher education qualifications in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland. Gloucester QAA
Skills For Care (2004) Approved National Occupational Standards for Health and Social Care
available at http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/view.asp?id=492
NHS Yorkshire and the Humber (2008) Healthy Ambitions. www.healthyambitions.co.uk
u Estimated number attending module
12 - 18
v Indicative content






Standard precautions
Hand hygiene
Transmission of infection
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Clinical waste disposal
Sharps – safe practice & disposal

Urinalysis
Anatomy and physiology related to urinary system
Indications for measurement
Normal ranges
Procedure for measurement, recording and reporting

Blood glucose
Anatomy and physiology
Indications for measurement
Normal ranges
Procedure for measurement, recording and reporting

Vital signs
Anatomy and physiology
Indications for measurement
Normal ranges
Procedure for measurement, recording and reporting

Obtaining venous blood samples
Anatomy and physiology
Legal issues
Required equipment
Procedure
w
Indicative reading
Peate I and Nair M (2011) (Eds) Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology for Student Nurses
Wiley-Blackwell: Chichester
Docherty C and McCallum J (2009) Foundation Clinical Nursing Skills Oxford University Press:
Oxford
Phillips S, Collins M and Dougherty L (2011) Venepuncture and Cannulation Wiley-Blackwell:
Chichester
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2010) Record Keeping – Guidance for Nurses and Midwives
NMC: London
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008) The Code: Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics
for Nurses and Midwives NMC: London