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.
Technical Education Offers Students a Stepping Stone into Devon’s Growing Sectors
As Open Day season continues, students are being encouraged to explore technical education routes that can open the door to some of the region’s biggest job growth areas in Digital, IT and Healthcare.
Young people in Devon are being encouraged to consider the range of technical education routes on offer into some of the biggest growing sectors in the region. Apprenticeships, traineeships and the new T Levels are just some of the different education and training pathways being showcased this Open Day season, with clear routes into Devon’s growing industries.
This follows the launch of the government’s new ‘Get the Jump’ Skills for Life campaign, which launched on 24th January. The campaign brings together in one place all the training and education choices that are available for 14–19 year olds, so that young people can see how they compare and where they can lead, to help them take their next step.
“I chose the T Level as it is a course that represents a combined way of learning, blending classroom and practical training.“
Josh Dyer – Exeter College student studying a T Level in Digital Design, Production and Development
Digital, IT and healthcare are three of the region’s biggest job growth areas, with the number of jobs in the digital sector doubling since 2012 – and this trend is expected to continue.1 The healthcare sector is also steadily growing and accounts for around £1 billion annually to Devon’s economy.2 The demand for more nurses means there are also 810 projected new job openings between now and 2024.
Employers, schools and colleges in the region are offering a range of support to young people who are considering their next steps. Technical education routes, including the new T Levels, are a helpful source for local employers looking to find, nurture and secure young talent.
“The placement has offered us a new perspective on what we learn at college and helped us put our skills into practice.“
Meg Wall – Exeter College student studying a T Level in Health
One student, Josh Dyer from Kingsteignton, is studying a T Level in Digital Design, Production and Development at Exeter College and is currently completing a work placement with Teignbridge Propellors.
Josh commented, “I chose the T Level as it is a course that represents a combined way of learning, blending classroom and practical training. I have dyslexia so prefer this style of learning. The course is amazing – there have been so many opportunities and projects to get involved in.
“The placement atTeignbridge Propellers has been really great. It has improved my team skills and given me good insight into how a software development team fits into a business and has reinforced what we’ve been studying at college. When I complete my T Level, I will be working at Teignbridge Propellers as they have offered me a graduate job, following on from my work placement with them.”
Another student, Meg Wall from North Devon, is studying for a T Level in Health at Exeter College and has been doing her work placement with the Devon Partnership NHS Trust.
Meg commented, “I chose a T Level because it offered new opportunities for my learning and the chance to complete an industry placement. I have found the course so interesting and enjoyable, and I am looking forward to future learning. The placement has offered us a new perspective on what we learn at college and helped us put our skills into practice. In the future I hope to go to university to study Midwifery.”
Meg Wall is studying for a T Level in Health at Exeter College
Technical education routes being spotlighted in the area include:
New T Level qualifications. T Levels are designed with employers and include practical on-the-job training. They can help you find your way into a job, higher apprenticeship or university. There is a whole range of T Levels available to study at Exeter College – you can find out more about the different courses here: https://exe-coll.ac.uk/school-leavers/t-levels/
Apprenticeships. You don’t have to choose between getting paid and gaining skills. With an apprenticeship, you can do both. Apprenticeships help you develop skills, knowledge and behaviours in preparation for progression into further training or work. There is a whole range of apprenticeships on offer in the area. Data & Science, Education & Early Years, and Digital & Technology are just some of the apprenticeships available at Exeter College. To find and apply for an apprenticeship in your local area, search here.
Traineeships. A traineeship gives you the support and skills to find your way into an apprenticeship or work. Traineeships can boost your skills and confidence, which can help you get into an apprenticeship or a job. To find and apply for a traineeship visit: Find your nearest traineeship or find a local training provider.
Kickstart Scheme Jobs. These are open to 16–24 year olds claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. Thousands of Kickstart Scheme jobs are available right now in a wide range of sectors. Talk to your Work Coach to find out how to apply or read more on the JobHelp website.
Devon Partnership NHS Trust is offering a number of T Level students industry placements. Jo Horne, Apprenticeship Development Manager at the Trust, said: “T Levels form an important part of Devon Partnership NHS Trust’s plan to develop additional career pathways and progression routes into the NHS. These new qualifications provide an excellent opportunity for young people to explore careers in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities. It’s crucial that we start a relationship with young people who will become our nursing workforce in the next five years.”
Jo Horne, Apprenticeship Development Manager at Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Commenting, Sam Hillman, Assistant Principal for Curriculum at Exeter College said: “It’s more important than ever for young people to get ahead and start thinking about their choices, whether they take a technical education pathway like a T Level, or choose to do A levels or BTECs.
“We’re encouraging all young people to explore all their options. Our courses offer a range of exciting routes for young people which will ensure they are well-equipped to maximise the wealth of opportunities out there and get a foot on the ladder in the region’s growth areas. The perfect way to do this is to attend one of our Open Events where you can learn more about our whole offer, including the fantastic new T Levels.”
Kat Woodman, a careers adviser from the National Careers Service said, “Whether you know where you’re headed in the future or not, exploring the work and study choices available to you is a great place to start. Our friendly and professional advisers at the National Careers Service can help you better understand your next steps or talk you through all the choices to get you where you want to go.”
The ‘Get the Jump’ Skills for Life campaign has information and advice about all the choices on offer, so young people can choose the best path for them.
If you need help or advice about learning, training and work, to make informed decisions about your future, you can contact the National Careers Service via webchat or by calling 0800 100 900 (8am-8pm Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm Saturday).
