UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
Academic Year 2014-15
School of Health Studies
Division of Service Development and Improvement
Programme title: PG Dip/PG Cert in Cardiology for Practitioners with a
Special Interest
Awarding institution:
Final award:
Programme title:
Programme accredited by:
FHEQ Level:
Duration:
UCAS code:
Date produced:
Last Approved School Board:
University of Bradford
PG Diploma, PG Certificate Framework for
Higher Education Qualifications level 7
Cardiology for Practitioners with a Special
Interest
Royal College of General Practitioners
British Cardiovascular Society
Level 7
18 months part-time
N/A
December 2013
August 2014
Introduction
This course is one of a series of courses which is taught by West and South
Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Commissioning Support Unit (WSYBCSU) and
awarded by the University of Bradford. The courses fall under the
collaborative provision regulations, so although the courses are taught
wholly from within the NHS, quality assurance and assessment are governed
by University of Bradford regulations.
This part-time diploma course contains a large element of work-based and
shared learning. As attendance in Bradford only requires a total of 7 study
days on 4 separate occasions throughout the 18 months, the course is
accessible to students nationally. It enables Practitioners with a Special
Interest to gain a formally recognised standard of competence in the area of
cardiology as a special interest. It is the first postgraduate competencebased course for PwSIs to offer national accreditation in this subject, and is
run from within the NHS and taught by consultants and Practitioners with a
Special Interest. In this regard, the course has been well received by key
professional medical bodies.
The course structure is specifically designed to encourage the development
of the specialist practitioner role, by encouraging collaborative clinical workbased training between the practitioner and the consultant.
Students who successfully complete the Diploma will be able to progress to
the MSc in Cardiology for Practitioners with a Special Interest. Students who
successfully complete the Diploma will have a greater breadth of knowledge
of Cardiology than those who complete the Certificate. This course is
delivered through the School of Health Studies at the University of Bradford.
Programme Aims for the PG Certificate
The programme is intended to:
A1.1 develop the subject-specific knowledge and skills to enable GPs
and other practitioners to work independently to treat patients
with either Heart Failure and Valvular Disease or Hypertension,
Arrhythmias and Conduction Disorder or Ischaemic Heart
Disease at a higher level and to deal with complex clinical
situations systematically;
A1.2 develop a subject-specific understanding of the role and
responsibilities
of
consultant
specialists
and
the
multidisciplinary team in secondary care and to establish
appropriate relationships with these professionals;
A1.3 position practitioners at the forefront of their subject-specific
area of cardiac care to develop and establish the most
appropriate integrated care pathways for that area between
primary and secondary care for the patient within current NHS
guidelines;
A1.4 engage practitioners in life-long learning through the
enhancement of key skills, a thorough knowledge of critical
appraisal and reflective practice;
A1.5 provide practitioners with a special interest with transferable
nationally recognised training in with either Heart Failure and
Valvular Disease or Hypertension, Arrhythmias and Conduction
Disorder or Ischaemic Heart Disease.
Programme Aims for the Postgraduate Diploma
The programme is intended to:
A2.1 develop wider specialist knowledge and skills to enable GPs and
other practitioners to practice cardiology at a higher level and to
deal with complex clinical situations systematically;
A2.2 develop a thorough understanding of the role and
responsibilities
of
consultant
specialists
and
the
multidisciplinary team in secondary care and to establish
appropriate relationships with these professionals;
A2.3 position practitioners at the forefront of their area of cardiac
care to develop and establish the most appropriate integrated
care pathways between primary and secondary care for the
patient within current NHS guidelines;
A2.4 engage practitioners in life-long learning through the
enhancement of key skills, a thorough knowledge of critical
appraisal and reflective practice;
A2.5 provide practitioners with a special interest with transferable
nationally recognised training in cardiology.
Programme Learning Outcomes for the PG Certificate
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
B1.1 Subject knowledge and understanding
B1.1.1
critically analyse and apply current and emerging
knowledge at the forefront of the subject- specific area(s) (Heart
Failure and Valvular Disease or Hypertension, Arrhythmias and
Conduction Disorder or Ischaemic Heart Disease) of study with
regard to the pathophysiology and epidemiology of that subject;
B1.1.2 contribute to the development of clinical protocols and practice
within the subject-specific care pathway linking primary and
secondary care in line with current recommendations;
B1.1.3
make strategic and appropriate clinical decisions within
the relevant subject-specific care pathway with regard to the
treatment and referral of patients.
B1.2 Discipline skills
B1.2.1
Diagnose and manage/refer patients whose symptoms may
be due to cardiac disease in the subject-specific area(s) (Heart
Failure and Valvular Disease or Hypertension, Arrhythmias and
Conduction Disorder or Ischaemic Heart Disease) studied.
B1.2.2
Critically reflect and make sound clinical judgments on the
most appropriate treatment modality for patients who present
with cardiac disorders in the subject-specific area(s) studied and
treat or refer accordingly;
B1.2.3
Communicate complex clinical conclusions clearly to
patients and the clinical team;
B1.2.4
Critically appraise and update your own clinical knowledge
and skills in the subject-specific area(s) studied.
B1.2.5
Evaluate the PwSI role and its implications for the whole
patient pathway and current techniques for improving the delivery
of patient care.
B1.3 Personal Transferable Skills
B1.3.1
Act autonomously and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary
context.
B1.3.2
Communicate effectively.
B1.3.3
Critically reflect on and evaluate a wide range of
information, and make complex decisions as a result of this
process.
B1.3.4
Use information technology as a medium for
communication and presentation of data.
B1.3.5 Gain the skills to enable continuous professional development.
Programme Learning Outcomes for the PG Diploma
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
B2.1 Subject knowledge and understanding
B2.1.1
critically analyse and apply current and emerging
knowledge at the forefront of the discipline with regard to the
pathophysiology and epidemiology of cardiac disease;
B2.1.2 contribute to the development of clinical protocols and practice
within the care pathway linking primary and secondary care in
line with current recommendations;
B2.1.3 make strategic and appropriate clinical decisions within the
relevant care pathway with regard to the treatment and referral
of patients.
B2.2 Discipline skills
B2.2.1
Diagnose and manage/refer patients whose symptoms may
be due to cardiac disease.
B2.2.2
Critically reflect and make sound clinical judgments on the
most appropriate treatment modality for patients who present
with cardiac disorders and treat or refer accordingly;
B2.2.3
Communicate complex clinical conclusions clearly to
patients and the clinical team;
B2.2.4
Critically appraise and update your own clinical knowledge
and skills.
B2.2.5
Evaluate the PwSI role and its implications for the whole
patient pathway and current techniques for improving the delivery
of patient care.
B2.3 Personal Transferable Skills
B2.3.1
Act autonomously and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary
context.
B2.3.2
Communicate effectively.
B2.3.3
Critically reflect on and evaluate a wide range of
information, and make complex decisions as a result of this
process.
B2.3.4
Use information technology as a medium for
communication and presentation of data.
B2.3.5 Gain the skills to enable continuous professional development.
The Curriculum
Each of the three clinical modules lasts six months. The fourth module is the
Applied Methodologies module (AM) which can be taken alongside one or
more of the other modules, over a maximum period of 18 months.
Each module is worth 30 credits, amounting to a total of 120 credits. For the
Postgraduate Diploma, all 30-credit modules are core modules. For the
Postgraduate Certificate, the only core module is the Applied Methodologies
(AM) module. One or two options may be chosen from the clinical modules to
form your programme of study. Any 30-credit module can be studied
independently, outside of a Postgraduate award. However, it is recommended
that you study for the diploma in order to gain the value of a broad education,
and the course provides flexibility to enable this.
Postgraduate Certificate
Module
Code
Module Title
HH8000T Applied Methodologies
Type
Credits
Level
Study
period
Core
30
7
Up to 18
months
HH8001T Heart Failure and
Valvular Disease
Option
30
7
6
months
HH8002T Hypertension,
Arrhythmias and
Conduction Disorder
Option
30
7
6
months
HH8003T Ischaemic Heart Disease
Option
30
7
6
months
Postgraduate Diploma
Module
Code
Module Title
Type
Credits
Level
Study
period
HH8000T Applied Methodologies
Core
30
7
18
months
HH8001T Heart Failure and
Valvular Disease
Core
30
7
6
months
HH8002T Hypertension,
Arrhythmias and
Conduction Disorders
Core
30
7
6
months
HH8003T Ischaemic Heart Disease
Core
30
7
6
months
The curriculum may change, subject to the University’s course approval,
monitoring and review procedures.
Teaching and Assessment Strategies
The Postgraduate Diploma is run by WSYBCSU and the award is made
through the University of Bradford.
A variety of teaching methods is employed in the programme, to enable you
to fulfil the varied modular learning outcomes. The learning within the
programme is gained through:
1 face-to-face tuition: this occurs at the beginning of each module in
Bradford. Tutors are available by email if required during placement
periods to handle learning queries. Tutors are clinical practitioners
(consultant specialists and PwSIs).
2 work-based learning: this forms the central part of the programme of
study, in the form of clinical placements – each six month module
should contain at least 14 weeks of hands-on practical study in a
secondary care environment. This learning is undertaken on placement
in the locality, under the supervision of a clinical mentor. You will
approach the mentor in the first instance: they must be a GMC
registered consultant in cardiology whose name appears on a national
register of practitioners, and who has teaching experience. The clinical
3
4
5
mentor will receive a specific Mentor Guide including advice and
support from the course management team in fulfilling the role of
mentor.
guided reading (given by tutor and mentor): this complements the
placement and enables you to fulfil the theoretical background
necessary for your placement activities, and prepares you for your
written and presentational assignments.
e-learning: the virtual learning environment gives access to the peer
group and tutors during placement, facilitating learning through clinical
discussion, as well as providing support.
local research and application: The AM module involves working within
the healthcare community to apply 3 different methodologies; learning
takes place during the activities of researching and reading information,
planning, preparation and application of these.
Assessment is designed to enable you to have a rounded measurement of
the skills needed for your role in the healthcare community.
Clinical competence is verified through mentor signature after observation
(by mentor and where appropriate other relevant clinical professionals) and
discussion during the placement periods. The issues of ethics and informed
consent are an integrated part of the students’ daily practice, and it is
implicit in all the modules that there is conformity to the usual standards
and guidelines in these areas.
Optionality is available to students studying for the Certificate in their choice
of modules. It is available to students studying for the diploma in the choice
of cases for the written reflective studies and the presentations.
Assessment Regulations
Whilst this programme conforms to the general principles set out in the
standard University Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Programmes
which are available at the link below there are 3 exceptions to these
regulations which can be found in Appendix C1.
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/aqpo/documents-templates-and-downloads/az/regulations-governing-postgraduate-taught-courses.php
Admission Requirements
The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless
of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed
consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision
to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from
their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme.
Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of
your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic
qualifications and other relevant experience.
If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may
be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to
evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified
modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit
the standard pattern of entry qualifications.
We are continually reviewing and developing our practices and policies to
make the University more inclusive, but if you are disabled we may need to
make some adjustments to make sure that you are not disadvantaged. We
would advise you to contact the programme leader before you apply to
discuss these.
The entry requirements for this programme are as follows:
 you must be a suitably qualified registered primary or secondary care
practitioner, demonstrating successful study skills at level 6, with at
least two years relevant work experience;
 you must obtain written support from an NHS hospital trust consultant
(GMC Registered) in Cardiology for mentorship and the provision of a
clinical attachment;
 You must produce evidence of relevant registered qualification,
currency and academic qualifications:
 As the assessment elements of the postgraduate diploma require a
substantial amount of written work at level 7, in accordance with
regulations from the University of Bradford we ask that non-native
speakers complete an IELTS English Language Exam at a minimum of
6.5 before they begin their studies.
It is desirable for you to have experience in postgraduate education.
Learning Resources
The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist library in the
School of Management, provide a wide range of printed and electronic
resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to
work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to
discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians provide training
sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for
your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.
Student PC clusters can be found in the library and elsewhere on the
campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's
wireless network to access the internet from your own laptop. Most of our
online journals are available on the internet (both on and off campus), and
you can also access your University email account, personal information and
course-related materials this way.
Staff are on hand during the daytime to provide help should you need it, and
there is a 24/7 IT helpline available.
Students are encouraged to view the library induction slide shows available
on the following link www.bradford.ac.uk/library/distance/inductions. All
students must undertake the plagiarism avoidance package available on
blackboard on the School of Health Studies information point.
Students may also contact the librarian at their own Trust, from whom they
should be able to obtain an Athens password to access further NHS on-line
resources.
Student Support and Guidance
Programme Team
Support for you personally and in your course of study will be provided both
by the University, the Course Team and your clinical mentor. The School will
ensure that there is someone available with whom you feel comfortable to
help and support you. You will be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT),
who will be one of the clinical tutors, on your first teaching day. Information
on the role of PATs can be found on the School of Health information point.
You will be provided with a comprehensive handbook that you can consult
on a range of learning issues and your programme tutors will be available to
consult on subject specific queries.
We value the feedback provided by students and you will be provided with
the formal opportunity to comment on the course contents and delivery and
other aspects of the course after the teaching days, the end of each clinical
module and at the end of the course. However, students are encouraged to
give informal feedback to the course team whenever they wish. All issues
are addressed rapidly.
Students’ Union
The Students’ Union and the University of Bradford work in partnership to
provide confidential counselling and welfare services where you can get help
with any aspect of your personal or academic life. Student Financial and
Information Services (part of the Hub) will provide you with information
about a diverse range of issues such as council tax, personal safety and
tourist information. International Students can access a range of additional
advice and support services through the Student’s Union.
Careers and Employability
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance
employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist
support is available throughout the course from Career Development
Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements,
vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access
this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the web
site www.careers.brad.ac.uk.
Academic Skills Advice
For postgraduate students on taught programmes who are looking to
improve their marks during their time at university, study skills and maths
advice is available to all regardless of degree discipline. Students can access
a programme of interactive workshops and clinics which is delivered
throughout the year. This is in addition ot our extremely popular face-to-
face guidance from our advisers, who also offer a wide range of online and
paper based materials for self-study.
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/academic-skills/index.php
Disability
Disabled students will find a supportive environment at Bradford where we
are committed to ensuring that all aspects of student life are accessible to
everyone. The Disability Service can help by providing equipment and advice
to help you get the most out of your time at Bradford and is a place where
you can discuss any concerns you may have about adjustments that you may
need, whether these relate to study, personal care or other issues. For
more information contact the Disability Service by phoning: 01274 233739
or via email: disabilities@bradford.ac.uk
University policies and initiatives
Ecoversity
Ecoversity is a strategic project of the University which aims to embed the
principles of sustainable development into our decision-making, learning and
teaching, research activities, campus operations and lives of our staff and
students. We do not claim to be a beacon for sustainable development but
we aspire to become a leading University in this area. The facilities we
create for teaching and learning, including teaching spaces, laboratories, IT
labs and social spaces, will increasingly reflect our commitment to
sustainable development.
Staff and student participation in this initiative is crucial to its success and
its inclusion in the programme specification is a clear signal that it is at the
forefront of our thinking in programme development, delivery, monitoring
and review. For more details see www.bradford.ac.uk/ecoversity/ .
Further Information:
For further information, please contact the Education Programmes Team at
NHS West and South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Commissioning Support Unit,
Douglas Mill, Bowling Old Lane, Bradford, BD5 7JR, tel no 01274 237759, or
psi@bradford.nhs.uk.
or check the University prospectus or contact Admissions.
The Admissions Office
The University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
The Admissions Office
School of Health Studies
The University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
+44 (0)1274 233054
+44 (0)1274 236367
http://www.brad.ac.uk/courses/ http://www.brad.ac.uk/health
PG Diploma/Certificate in Cardiology for Practitioners with a Special
Interest
APPLICATION FOR WAIVERS
The nature of the course varies from the normal Postgraduate Diploma of the
University of Bradford. Therefore we propose that the following waivers are
required from the University’s standard regulations and ordinances, in order
to make these differences acceptable.
1. Pass all components of a module without compensation
We request that all elements of the assessments be successfully passed at
40% or above. Different assessment tasks assess different learning outcomes.
Accordingly in order to demonstrate achievement of all modules’ intended
learning outcomes, all assessment tasks must be passed at threshold.
2. Clinical competence element of each clinical module as PASS/FAIL.
We reaffirm the need to have the primary assessment element – verification of
clinical competence – as a PASS/FAIL element. This provides clear and
appropriate evidence whether a participant is competent to practice. There is
no need for a pass/fail element amongst the other assessments, as these
support competence through application of understanding. In order to
achieve a balanced mark from this and the other assessed pieces of work, it is
necessary for the clinical competence element to be weighed at 0%, and the
other assessment components to be split appropriately. It is only amongst the
other elements of assessment that a final mark will be given, which will
distinguish the candidate’s marks between a pass, merit or distinction.
3. Maximum period of study
We would recommend the period of study to take place over no more than
three years, but would permit candidates who could obtain agreement from
their mentor(s) to undertake the course over five years or to extend the period
of study to five years, to do so. This would apply principally in exceptional
circumstances, particularly pregnancy or sickness which would unavoidably
interrupt studies.