Course overview

This course focuses on the physiological sciences division and the cardiovascular and respiratory and sleep disciplines within that Division. This course forms part of the healthcare science Practitioner Training Programme (PTP). It is predicted that there will need to be an increase in the number of healthcare scientists in the future to meet the demand for the clinical investigations. This workforce is critical to all clinical groupings and national priorities and informs more than 80% of all clinical decisions.

The course is structured as a full-time scheme of study, incorporating both theory and practical components over three years. Over the duration of this course students will spend one third in clinical practice engaged in work based learning.

In Year 1 you will be introduced to the basics of healthcare science studying both the cardiovascular discipline and the respiratory and sleep discipline. Thereafter you will specialise in one or other of these disciplines in Years 2 and 3.

In Year 2 you will begin to specialise in physiological sciences selecting cardiovascular or respiratory and sleep. The focus of this year will be on techniques and methodologies of performing the common investigations.

In Year 3 you will apply what you have learned about healthcare science, technologies and methodologies to the practice of physiological sciences and learn about more complex investigations.

Assessment

The assessment tools and strategies are specifically related to the modules being studied. A wide range of assessment strategies are used including laboratory reports, examinations, presentations, essays, research proposal, a major project, a portfolio and patchwork texts. In patchwork text students write a short series of 'patches' using a variety of writing styles during the course of the module. Students then share their writing styles in learning sets and are encouraged to edit their work in the light of these discussions. The final patch is a synthesis of their learning throughout the module 'stitching together' their previous patches. This encourages the student to be reflective in their writing style in order to promote an insightful, reflective practitioner with excellent educational and communication skills. The practitioner needs to develop an awareness of the professional fingerprints they leave behind on any encounter with a service user and the impact those may have on any future involvement the service user has with the health care system.

Work placements, visits and trips

Over the duration of this course students will spend one third in clinical practice engaged in work based learning. In Year 1 this will equate to 10 weeks, in year 2 this will equate to 15 weeks and in year 3 this will equate to 25 weeks.

Trips to museums, hospital departments etc will be arranged as appropriate through the course.

Facilities

Medical and skills Laboratories on campus

Associated careers

Healthcare science practitioners work in a variety of hospital clinics and departments and increasingly within the community. They investigate the functioning of organ and body systems in order to diagnose abnormalities, and find ways to restore function and/or reduce disabling consequences to the patient.

Cardiac physiology involves using a range of methods and equipment to assess the function of the heart in known or suspected heart disease and contributing to the patient's treatment.

Vascular technology involves using ultrasound and other non-invasive forms of blood flow analysis to assist in the diagnosis of patients with disorders of blood vessels and to guide treatment.

Respiratory physiology uses a range of investigations to assess patients with lung, airway or blood oxygenation problems and identify the potential cause and response to treatment. The tests performed often require active encouragement of the patient and thus a caring approach.

Sleep physiology investigates patients with disturbances in sleep, e.g. sleep apnoea; patients are monitored and a diagnosis made which informs their treatment and long term management.

Entry requirements listed are for September 2013 entry. Entry requirements for other intakes may differ.

180 tariff points or an appropriate NVQ Level 3 qualification or portfolio construction (for mature students with appropriate relevant experience).

Students may be able to gain accreditation for prior learning according to Anglia Ruskin University Academic Regulations and they will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please note all tariff points must come from A levels. Points from AS levels cannot be counted towards the total tariff points required for entry to this course.

Additional requirements

Non-Academic Conditions: CRB Checks required, Interview, Occupational Health clearance required
GCSE(s) Required: 5 GCSEs grade C or above including English and Mathematics

International applicants

Due to placement restrictions this course is not currently open to international students for entry in September 2012. However the Faculty of Health, Social Care & Education aims to be able to offer entry onto this course to International students from September 2013.