Specialist Community Public Health Nurse PgDip Apprenticeship
The Level 7 Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) Apprenticeship is an innovative blend of higher education and work-based learning, aimed at developing employees into competent and confident specialist public health nurses.
Employers and apprentices information
Employers
- Designed, developed and delivered to recognise the core values of the NHS and the required standards of our accrediting body the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
- One of the largest university trainers of Nursing and Health Professionals in the north west of England
- Funding available through the Apprenticeship Levy and further support may be available from Health Education England
Our employers say
“The feedback we get from our apprentices is generally very good and they think the teaching staff are very engaged and responsive,” says Stephen Stewart of GlaxoSmithKline.
Apprentices
- Designed specifically to enhance apprentices’ existing skills and to support them to further their career in nursing, ultimately securing Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration.
- Approved by the NMC to offer apprentices the opportunity to gain a specialist practitioner qualification in School Nursing and Health Visiting.
- 12-month programme (plus end-point assessment) based at the state-of-the-art, award-winning £139m Brooks building.
- Option to Top Up to MSc Specialist Community Practice.
Our apprentices say
“Now I know where the strongest evidence bases are and how to critically analyse research outcomes to put in place the best care for my patients. I’ve even been able to contribute to that evidence base through publishing an article based on research I completed for a university assignment,” says Chelsea Winterbottom of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.
About this programme
Developed with employers, the 12-month programme (plus end-point assessment) has been designed to meet the contemporary health and wellbeing needs of individuals, communities and populations. Health Visitor topics include the psychosocial and emotional stages in a child’s development, partnership working, and indicators of need in children.
School nursing topics include current national school nursing policy, the effectiveness of interventions, and the health needs of children.
To find out more about how you can partner with us to offer degree apprenticeships within your organisation, fill out our contact form. You can also get in touch by phone on 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday) or by email at apprenticeships-employer@mmu.ac.uk.
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Programme content
This programme is suitable for existing nurses and midwives that are looking to further their knowledge and career.
Typical job titles may include Health Visitor, School Nurse, or Community Public Health Nurse.
Units include:
- Advancing Practice Using Research
- Assessing Infants and Children (0–5 Years) - Health Visiting
- Assessing Children and Young People (5-19 Years) - School Nursing
- Empowering Populations to Enhance Health and Well-Being
- Foundations of Health Visiting / Foundations of School Nursing
- Independent Study Project in Specialist Practice*
- Non Medical Prescribing**
- Quality Leadership in Action
- Responding to Contemporary Health Needs in Health Visiting or School Nursing
- Safeguarding in Public Health Nursing
- Specialist Practice of Health Visiting or School Nursing
NMC registrants: all applicants must meet the admission and selection criteria in the NMC (2018) Standards for Prescribing Programmes.
*For SCPHNs not on the V300 Prescribing route, learners will undertake an individual project agreed between the learner and the Programme Lead. The learner will use this unit to critically explore specific issues related to their area of specialist practice, undertake in-depth analysis of the theoretical aspects and consider how specialist practice could be further developed.
**For SCPHNs undertaking the Integrated Independent and Supplementary V300 Prescribing route, this unit prepares suitably qualified nurses (NMC registrants) to become safe and competent independent/supplementary prescribers. It enables nurses to be recommended to the NMC for the V300 qualification.
The SCPHN route with either Non-Medical Prescribing (V300) OR with the Independent Study Unit in Specialist Practice, is decided by the employing Trust at the point of application.
MSc Specialist Community Practice
Apprentices also have the option to Top Up to MSc Specialist Community Practice.
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Programme length and approach
The programme runs for 12 months and is followed by a one month end-point assessment period. Apprentices will need an employment contract for at least 13 months.
It is delivered via a combination of blended learning (including face to face sessions, virtual sessions and directed study) and work-based learning, supported by a Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor as per the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018) Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment).
Apprentices on this programme must be supported by an employer in line with the NMC Standards for Proficiency, which require a balance of 50% practice and 50% theory. SCPHN apprentices must be provided with protected learning time in the placement environment.
It is taught by a core programme team with a strong focus on supporting apprentices across all aspects of the programme.
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Qualifications awarded
All successful graduates receive a Level 7 apprenticeship certificate along with one of the following awards:
- PG Dip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visitor)
- PG Dip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visitor) with Independent and Supplementary Prescribing (V300)
- PG Dip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (School Nurse)
- PG Dip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (School Nurse) with Independent and Supplementary Prescribing (V300)
If independent/supplementary prescribing (V300) is successfully passed, but the award/specialist practice qualification is failed, learners will not receive either qualification.
This programme enables apprentices to obtain registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council on part three of the register as a Health Visitor or School Nurse.
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Entry requirements
It is a requirement of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) that those training to become a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse are already registered nurses on Level 1 of the NMC register.
They must:
- be 18 or older
- have the right of abode and right to work in the UK to qualify for funding
- meet programme entry requirements
Evidence of GCSE Mathematics and English Language (grade A*-C / 9-4), or equivalent, must be provided prior to application.
A list of acceptable equivalent qualifications is available from the gov.uk website, as well as guidance on obtaining replacement certificates. It will not be possible for applicants to proceed with their application unless they are able to provide evidence of achievement or proof that they have applied for replacement certificates.
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Funding
Degree apprenticeships are paid for by employers, not apprentices.
Employers with a payroll of more than £3 million can use their apprenticeship levy contributions to pay for places on apprenticeship programmes.
Any business with a payroll below £3 million is eligible for government funding that will cover at least 95% of the cost of an apprenticeship programme.
Additional incentives are also available to employers who recruit new apprentices into their business.
A self-funded route (for fees only) is available subject to the Nursing and Midwifery Council revalidation. Please contact apprenticeships-employer@mmu.ac.uk for further information on this option.
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Next steps
If you are an employer
We will support you every step of the way to offer apprenticeships at your organisation, whether you intend to upskill current employees or attract new recruits.
To find out more about how you can partner with us to offer degree apprenticeships within your organisation, fill out our contact form. You can also get in touch by phone on 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday) or by email at apprenticeships-employer@mmu.ac.uk
If you are an employee
If you are already employed, encourage your employer to contact us to discuss offering an apprenticeship.
If you are a student
Places on this programme are available to those already employed in a relevant position and where their employer will support them to take part.
