Exeter College Launches New Foundation Degree to Support Professionals into the NHS

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.

Exeter College student joins NHS front line

Exeter College student Madeleine Crow has concluded her College studies early to take up a position on the NHS front line.

Madeleine, 17, from Topsham, was in her final year at Exeter College studying A Levels in Biology and PE, alongside a BTEC in Health and Social Care, when the Government announced the closure of all schools and colleges to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

“It’s a steep learning curve, but everyone’s helpful, and everyone’s working together.”
Madeleine Crow, Health Care Assistant.

Madeleine had already secured a job offer from Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital but decided to join them on the front line as a Healthcare Assistant before she was due to start in order to help in the fight against Coronavirus.

Commenting on her new role, Madeleine said, “The atmosphere at the hospital is a bit different from how it usually is as everybody slightly on edge.

“I’ve been on a lot of COVID-19 wards, and it is a bit scary, but there are still patients who need looking after.  

“It is a different type of nursing, as there is less patient contact. The personal protective equipment makes it feel like there is a wall between you and the patient; but we have to be careful to protect ourselves and protect the patients.

“It’s a steep learning curve, but everyone’s helpful, and everyone’s working together.”

Madeleine is following in the footsteps of her parents, both of whom also work for the NHS.

Her father is currently helping with the hospital’s planning for the COVID-19 pandemic as a Director at the hospital, while her mother works as an Assistant at a local GP surgery.

Madeleine said, “My mum has always done things to help and support people. She used to be a family support worker and we had a foster child for a while. She has always helped to look after people, and it’s made me want to do it too.”

Madeleine also wanted to pay tribute to the College for helping to prepare her for her new NHS role.

She said, “My Health and Social Care BTEC gave me a good understanding of how patient care is delivered, and my Biology A Level has been beneficial too.

“There is no way to know what it’s like until you’re actually working, but Exeter College gave me a good insight.”

Madeleine appreciates the insights her Healthcare Assistant role is currently giving her in working with the NHS and would like to continue her nursing career in the future.

She said, “There are so many ways to go into nursing, from Apprenticeship schemes to getting a degree and working your way up; it’ll be a matter of what will be available at the time and when I can start.”

Find out what Exeter College has been doing to help support the community during these unprecedented times.

Are you interested in a career in healthcare? Apply now for the September 2020 start.