Pearson BTEC HNC Health and Social Care Practice (Healthcare Science Pathway)

• BTEC Level 3 Qualification in Health and Social Care
  Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or Diploma in Health and Social Care (First Teaching from September 2016) with grades MPP or MM.
• GCSEs
  English and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
  From an approved further education institution.
• Relevant Work Experience.

In addition, SERC requires a UCAS tariff or equivalent of at least 64 points (e.g., two A Levels at grades CC or equivalent).

Applicants must also be placement ready, which includes:

• Satisfactory clearance checks (e.g., DBS / Access NI)
• Appropriate dress/uniform

• Experience of work or placements in the health and social sector are desirable.
  

A work placement is mandatory, with a minimum of approximately 225 hours required.

Access Diploma:

• Access Diploma in Foundation Studies with an overall average of 42-44% 

International Students English Language Requirements

International applicants, from Non-Native English speaking countries, must have evidence of English Language Level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages:

• IELTS 6.0 (Academic) (minimum of 5.5 in all skills)
• PTE Academic 51 (minimum of 46 in each part)
• Or equivalent UKVI-approved English Language Test

For further information please contact our International Department at international@serc.ac.uk

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Alternatively, you can provide evidence of your ability to undertake the programme by meeting the requirements for the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process, either through Accredited Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Further details on APL can be found in the HE admissions process section of our website and the HE Accreditation of Prior Learning SOP.

Modules:

Core Modules:

401: Developing Professional Practice.

The unit contains a blend of campus and practice learning with students spending most of their learning time applying the principles, techniques, knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom.

402: Teamwork and Communication

This unit is designed to enable students to identify and understand their key personal abilities and to underpin the development of their personal and professional skill set. This will include areas such as effective communication skills, interprofessional working, understanding the role of others within the healthcare team, professional identity and working as part of a team.

403: Evidence based Practice (Pearson -set)

The aim of this unit is to develop students’ knowledge, understanding and application of audit, quality improvement and research – embedding the principles and key features of co-production throughout each process. Students will learn the purpose and the processes involved in undertaking an audit, a quality improvement project and a research project, exploring the concept of co-production at each stage. Students will devise a quality improvement plan on a topic of their choice, aligned to the Pearson-set theme and chosen topic.

404: Compassionate Care and Values based Practice.

This unit is designed to enable students to develop their awareness of equity, diversity and inclusion, and professional ethical practice. They will build a skill set of empathy, compassion, dignity and respect and be able to apply this in the provision of personalised care.

Specialist Mandatory: (Health Care Science Pathway)

408: Applying Science in Health Care

This unit offers insight into the various roles that form pathological services, physiological services, medical physics and clinical engineering, diagnostics, bioinformatics and scientific therapeutic services. Students will explore how these services, and services related to their own practice, individually and collectively improve health and wellbeing in various circumstances.

409: Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology

This unit aims to provide students with background knowledge and understanding of how the healthy human body works and the changes that take place physically and mentally during ill health.

Level 4 Optional Unit:

Unit 414: Planning care in Practice.

This unit will enable students to become familiar with care planning processes in their practice, however short or long the interaction and whatever type of care may be required. For example, many allied health professionals (AHPs) will not be involved in the long-term care of patients and service users, but they will need to plan for episodes of care during, for example, diagnostic tests, follow-up monitoring of progress and delivery of treatment. Many social care and social work professionals will be involved in long episodes of care lasting months or years.

Contact hours per week: 

15 hours contact time to include practical classes, lecturers, workshops or tutorials.

Additional Study

Maximum of 1.5 hours per week average over the academic year.

Personal Study

11 hours maximum studying and preparing assessment in your own time per week including use of online materials.

Placement

This will require you to attend College 2.5 days a week and to attend your vocational placement to complete the 225 hours through 1 academic year.

The Level 4 Higher National Certificate provides a solid grounding in health, social care and community practice, which students can build on if they decide to continue their studies:

● entering employment

● continuing existing employment

● becoming a member of an appropriate professional body or membership organisation

● linking with the appropriate accredited certificates (if available)

● committing to continuing professional development (CPD)

 ● progressing to Level 5 qualifications. This qualification awards a minimum of 120 credits, which can be applied towards related University degree programmes such as Nursing/Allied Health Professions. 

This programme will provide you with the skills to enable you to meet the demands of a challenging Health and Social Care sector and can lead to progression within specific nursing or allied health professions.

Employability Skills:

1. Effective Communication
2. Professionalism and Ethics
3. Critical Thinking
4. Teamwork
5. Time Management
6. Health & Safety Awareness
7. Adaptability and Resilience
8. Technology Use
9. Person-Centred Care
10. Continuous Learning

Students must pay for their Access NI clearance, current cost is £32 - please note your own workplace clearance may suffice.