UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
  1. Awarding Institution / Body
/ University of Central Lancashire
  1. Teaching Institution
/ University of Central Lancashire:
Preston Main campus
  1. UniversityDepartment/Centre
/ School of Health
  1. External Accreditation
/ None
  1. Title of Final Award
/ Certificate Intensive Care of the Neonate
  1. Modes of Attendance offered
/ Part-time
  1. UCAS Code
/ N/A
  1. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
/ none
  1. Other external influences
/ DH (2004): NSF for Children and Young People
DH (2004): NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework
DH (2012): Compassion in practice
RCN (2012): Competence, education and careers in neonatal nursing
BAPM (2012): ‘Matching knowledge and skills for Qualified in Speciality (QIS) neonatal nurses: a core syllabus for clinical competency’
  1. Date of production/revision of this form
/ 4th June 2013
  1. Aims of the Programme

This Certificate has been designed to enhance student employability and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their competence in neonatal intensive care settings and become ‘Qualified in speciality’ (QIS).
Principles of family centred and developmental care perspectives inform the ethos of this course.
  1. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

A.Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the program the student will be able to:
A1. Critically analyse and evaluate neonatal nursing practices and the management of infants in intensive care.
A2. Demonstrate an accurate knowledge and understanding of the nature, causation, consequences and management of conditions that are found in intensive care.
Teaching and Learning Methods
A range of approaches will be used, including: lectures, seminars discussion forums, workshops, VLE, self-directed and directed study, group work, reflection on practice.
Assessment methods
This course will use written examination and practice based clinical competencies.
B.Subject-specific skills
At the end of the program the student will be able to:
B1. Critically evaluate practice developments in intensive care in the light of current research findings and evidence based practice
B2. Demonstrate capacity to synthesize knowledge, current evidence and skills during initial stabilisation of the sick /preterm newborn.
Teaching and Learning Methods
A range of approaches will be used, including: lectures, seminars discussion forums, workshops, VLE, self-directed and directed study, group work, reflection on practice.
Assessment methods
This course will use written examination and practice based clinical competencies.
C.Thinking Skills
At the end of the program the student will be able to:
C1. Critically appraise legal, professional and ethical responsibilities within current neonatal practice.
C2. Critically analyse the application of theory to practice utilising an awareness of cultural and family centred developmental care frameworks.
Teaching and Learning Methods
A range of approaches will be used, including: lectures, seminars discussion forums, workshops, VLE, self-directed and directed study, group work, reflection on practice.
Assessment methods
This course will use written examination and practice based clinical competencies.
D.Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
At the end of the program the student will be able to:
D1. Enhance skills of self analysis and reflection on practice.
D2. Participate effectively as an individual or team member.
D3. Develop practice based ICT skills through accessing and using information and patient focusedtechnology.
D4. Recognise and appreciate the links between personal and professional lives, nurturing self-awareness and the need for lifelong learning when working in a multifaceted dynamic field of health care.
Teaching and Learning Methods
A range of approaches will be used, including: lectures, seminars discussion forums, workshops, VLE, self-directed and directed study, group work, reflection on practice.
Assessment methods
This course will use written examination and practice based clinical competencies.
13.Programme Structures* / 14.Awards and Credits*
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
Level 6 / Compulsory
MW3023 / Intensive Care of the Neonate / 20 / CertificateIntensive Care of the Neonate
Requires 20 credits at Level 6
15.Personal Development Planning
This is not new but is something you should already be engaged in through your employment.Personal Development Planning (PDP) is a process designed to assist you to get the most from your time as a student at the university. It is intended to provide you with a structured and supported process through which you can reflect on your learning, performance and/or achievements and plan for your personal, educational and career development. By becoming actively involved in PDP you can improve your capacity to understand what and how you are learning, and how to review, plan and take responsibility for your own learning and future development.
16.Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
The following criteria will apply, students must be:
Nurses (adult or child) or midwives with current professional registration on the NMC register and with no restrictions on their practice.
Currently in practice on a neonatal unit.
Have evidence of diploma level qualification or equivalent, (120 credits academic level 5).
Have the support of their manager to support and facilitate relevant practice experiences.
Have evidence of attainment of low dependency/foundational and high dependency skills in neonatal nursing (this will include completion of either MW3111 or a recognised structuredneonatal induction programme such as: Neonatal induction NW).
17.Key sources of information about the programme
  • Course Enquiries School of Health

  • NHS Contracts Unit

  • Web pages

  • Fact sheet

  • Course Leader Kevin Hugill

18.Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Level 6 / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C) or Option (O) / Knowledge and understanding / Subject-specific Skills / Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
A1 / A2 / B1 / B2 / C1 / C2 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4
MW3023 / Intensive Care of the Neonate / C /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  / 