This module is aimed at two groups:

1. This is a core module within the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Mental Health) and MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Mental Health) Apprenticeship offered by the School of Health and Social Care at LSBU.   The module will prepare Mental Health ACP students to proficiently undertake a comprehensive, holistic, mental health assessment of a patient from a biopsychosocial perspective. This will include a risk assessment, a specialist mental health assessment; in particular, presentations across the lifespan e.g. CAMHS; the impact of co-morbidities and complexity and the clinical reasoning/formulation skills to synthesise and present the information gathered in assessment and prescribe a treatment/care package. A number of validated and reliable assessment models will be used which include screening tools and outcome measures.

2. The module is also available on a stand-alone basis, for nurses, allied health professionals and pharmacists working regularly with health consumers who have mental health issues in health and social care

For Advanced Clinical Practice Mental Health students only 

Entry Requirements

Completion of the modules: “Physical health needs in mental health care” module  And “Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills”

PROFESSIONAL

Current registration as health care professional with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

A minimum of 3 years post-registration experience on entry to the module 

PRACTICE: 

Currently have at least 50% of their role working with people with mental health issues

Employed* for a minimum of 30 hours per week in one relevant clinical environment, with access to appropriate clinical support and supervision for the development of knowledge and skills to an advanced level.  *This excludes students who are working in a locum or agency basis.   

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate employer support for all of the following (even where individuals are self-funding): 

• Support for development of the applicant to an advanced level within the workplace while on the module, to enable evolution of the scope of practice and responsibilities 
• Willingness to release the student to enable them to dedicate the equivalent of 3 hours per week throughout the module (in addition to attendance at the university) as protected learning time to enable the student to work in a 'supernumerary capacity' to focus on their clinical/professional development evidenced by completion of the Practice Based Learning record.

• Able to support the student to organise for a Doctor/qualified Advanced Practitioner to act as their designated "Practice Facilitator" to initially supervise and support the applicants overall clinical development and facilitate completion of specified practice-based learning activities. Sign off for specific aspects of learning is required (this responsibility can be shared with other senior experienced clinical colleagues however nomination of an overall Practice Facilitator is required). 

Provision of day-to-day supervision and support by an experienced clinical team to enable the development of the knowledge, skills, behaviours, competence and confidence commensurate with this level of practice.