Level 6 core modules

• Research Methodology Design & Process

  With the increased emphasis on research based practice over the last decade, it is essential that established practitioners who wish to undertake further educational programmes are conversant with research methodology and the application of theory to practice in their field. The ability to be analytical and insightful regarding research reports is an invaluable skill for anyone who wishes to provide effective and appropriate care in their individual sphere of practice. In addition, today's practitioner is required to work in an expanding field of multi professional, multi-agency collaboration, and thus requires the skills and insight into the efficacy of research within these disciplines also. This module will revisit existing knowledge of the research process and assist the student in further developing skills of critical analysis. In addition, students will have the opportunity to appraise the ethical dimensions of research studies.

• Quality Control and Risk Management Processes in Decontamination Sciences

  Decontamination practice is increasingly technical in nature. This places great demand on the skills and technical knowledge of all those involved in the practice, support and management of decontamination. Decontamination of re-usable medical devices is a key element of infection prevention and control and requires managers and senior staff to have a working knowledge of this role. Also, the devices being processed are potentially infective and managers need to understand the controls necessary to protect staff and others. This therefore highlights the need for education and training to ensure that post-holders in a particular role have the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to discharge their duties effectively and requires conformance with standards such as the Quality Management System standard BS EN ISO 13485 (British Standards Institute, 2003). Safety in the workplace is also a key responsibility of management. Decontamination practice has a number of specific hazards which need to be addressed by the use of appropriate working practice, staff training and the use of personal protective equipment. This also requires managers and senior staff to have an overview of the technical and regulatory aspects of managing a Decontamination Unit. This module is therefore designed to educate senior staff, unit managers and decontamination leads employed within the decontamination services focusing on the areas of quality management, regulatory and technical aspects and risk management processes with the Decontamination Unit

• Strategic Management in Health & Social Care

  Organising and delivering world class health and social care requires a set of strategic management skills which are predicated on sound management theories, techniques and competencies. Using this as the underpinning concept, this module will assist students in advancing their contribution by increasing their understanding of the process of strategy formulation and alongside this, the process of strategic implementation. Module content is informed by the health and social care context. This environment is constantly changing, the need to redefine service provision and delivery patterns call for a new engagement with public sector business models which are evolving out of the need to address 3 interrelated factors dominating public sector services; 1.service personalisation, 2.value for money and 3.integrated governance. The module uses the student experience as an essential feature of the teaching and learning methods such that students will be expected to play an active role in considering the value, benefits and appropriateness of strategic planning methods in use, in comparison to the espoused theoretical propositions. The skills of strategic planning and management are now seen as essential base skills for those employed to lead and or manage public or independent sector services. This module is therefore suitable for a wide variety of practitioners occupied by these responsibilities and who have a professional desire to learn more about strategic planning, intention, formulation and application. The assessment task requires students to analyse the concept of strategy formulation through an analysis of the factors which have informed their area of service (situational analysis). This will be achieved through a presentation to colleagues undertaking the module. Students must also provide supporting commentary (synoptic paper) of the presentation.

• Undergraduate Major project

  The individual Final Project module allows students to engage in a substantial piece of individual research and/or product development work, focussed on a topic relevant to their specific discipline. The topic may be drawn from a variety of sources including: Anglia Ruskin research groups, previous/current work experience, the company in which they are currently employed, an Anglia Ruskin lecturer suggested topic or a professional subject of their specific interest (if suitable supervision is available). The project topic will be assessed for suitability to ensure sufficient academic challenge and satisfactory supervision by an academic member of staff. The chosen topic will require the student to identify/formulate problems and issues, conduct literature reviews, evaluate information, investigate and adopt suitable development methodologies, determine solutions, develop hardware, software and/or media artefacts as appropriate, process data, critically appraise and present their finding using a variety of media. Regular meetings/contact with the project supervisor should take place, so that the project is closely monitored and steered in the right direction.