Exeter College is excited to be partnering, once again, with Plymouth Marjon University, to support the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.  

From September 2024 the College is planning to deliver the FdSc Assistant Practitioner to provide well-trained and competent staff for a range of healthcare roles. 

If you are looking for a non-traditional career pathway to start you on the route to registered professional occupations such as nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or radiography, then this Foundation Degree is an excellent starting point. 

Donna Lucas, a Programme Leader in the Faculty of Healthcare at Exeter College said;

“This educational base creates a platform for greater knowledge, opportunity and capability in the clinical setting, in comparison to Healthcare Assistants, who do not undergo this formal training. 

“An Assistant Practitioner role is bridging the healthcare skills gap. It is a cross-disciplinary role, that works directly under a senior member of staff, such as a nurse, physiotherapist, midwife or occupational therapist, and is a highly skilled member of the team. It is a band 4 post on the Agenda for Change framework, which works across professional boundaries, in a range of settings, such as hospitals, GP surgeries, prisons or in the community.”

What will you be taught? 

As part of the programme, you can choose specialist pathways aligned to roles across the health and care sector. The programme offers an inter-professional learning experience, meaning you will learn from and across different professional roles giving you a holistic view of the patient experience. 

Module examples include but are not limited to; 

• Introduction to Clinical Skills
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Mental Health and Wellbeing 
• Communication and Working in Teams
• Research in Evidence Based Practice
• Leading and Integrating Care
• Pathophysiology for Healthcare 

What could it lead on to? 

On successful completion, graduates are eligible to apply for roles as an Assistant Practitioner (NHS Band 4). You could work in hospitals, clinics or in the community such as in GP surgeries or visiting patients in their home. You may also choose to progress to a full degree in Nursing or other Allied Health Professions. 

For further information on entry requirements and fees please see the FdSc Assistant Practitioner course page. 

Ready to apply? 

You can apply online now by clicking the pink apply button on the course page. 

Want to speak to someone? 

If you have any questions about the course, please do not hesitate to contact our Adult Advice Team on adultadvice@exe-coll.ac.uk or call 01392 400170. Alternatively, if you are a current student, you can pop into the Adult Advice Hub on the ground floor of the Digital and Data Centre during term time. The Hub is open 9am-9pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-4pm Friday.