Develop advanced level clinical practice leadership, education and research skills.
The Open University is pausing the intake of new starters on The Open University’s Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship for February 2023 as we do not have sufficient numbers to start the programme and make it sustainable for the lifetime of the apprenticeship.
These changes do not affect any current apprentices on the programme and service levels will remain unchanged. We remain committed to providing a quality experience for all our apprentices in existing and future cohorts and to providing apprenticeship programmes which deliver real impacts for employers and apprentices alike.
Please contact us if you have any questions or wish to discuss your requirements.
Delivered in partnership with employers, this flexible and innovative Level 7 Apprenticeship will prepare experienced registered healthcare professionals to develop their professional careers as Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs).
Apprentices will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to act with a high level of autonomy by learning about the four pillars that underpin advanced clinical practice (ACP), clinical practice, leadership and management, research and education. Apprentices will enhance their skills in holistic and systematic assessment, complex decision making and the provision of high-quality evidence-based interventions for patients, clients and their families. Apprentices will be supported in practice within the workplace, strengthening their learning through the application of theory to their scope of practice.
This programme incorporates a Non-Medical Prescribing (NMP) module which, upon successful completion, enables apprentices to gain professional, statutory and regulatory body recognition as a non-medical prescriber within their scope of practice as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Non-Medical Prescribing awarded by The Open University.
The Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship:
To learn more or to find out how we can help your organisation, please contact us.
Alongside the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) apprenticeship requirements, employers must also commit to the following Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship (ACPDA) programme requirements:
This programme is aimed at registered and experienced nurses, midwives, pharmacists and Allied Health Professionals who are supported by their employers to develop into advanced clinical practice roles in a variety of clinical settings.
Below is a summary of the eligibility criteria as set by the government for apprentices. For further information, see the Government funding rules.
To be eligible for government funding, at the start of the apprenticeship, apprentices must:
As well as meeting the eligibility criteria, applicants will need:
Apprentices undertaking the Non-Medical Prescribing (NMP) module will need to meet the specific regulatory requirements of that module, as follows:
Apprentices will study the following modules. Each module is offered once a year:
The topics covered will encompass the four pillars that underpin advanced clinical practice:
By the end of the programme, apprentices will be able to demonstrate they have met the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship standard for advanced clinical practice which include:
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
Completion |
Non-medical prescribing |
Developing advanced clinical practice |
Advancing professional practice |
End Point Assessment – Advanced Clinical Practice MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice awarded. EPA achieved. Apprenticeship programme completed. |
English and maths (functional skills) development* |
Theory modules |
Employers will need to allow a part of an apprentice’s working time to be protected for off-the-job training. In addition, the employer will need to support the apprentice in the workplace through the provision of supervision, assessment, mentorship and access to relevant and appropriate learning opportunities throughout the programme, with recognition of the scope of practice that the applicant will be developing.
We are a national provider with a local presence. Our apprenticeship programmes are supported closely by academic and practitioner colleagues who connect with employers to provide ongoing management of the programme delivery. The Open University has the experience and support in place to help apprentices succeed and make a positive impact on practice.
Your organisation and apprentices will be supported by expert staff who will work collaboratively with the relevant roles in your organisation:
The PT is a key role and provides individual support to apprentices to progress and complete all the requirements of the apprenticeship or professional programme they have enrolled in. The support is tailored to the context of each learner’s professional duties and their workplace environment. Regular engagement with each learner’s line manager or work-based supervisor are critical components of this role. In addition, the PT coaches the apprentice to integrate their academic learning with their professional work, guide them in the development of their portfolio and prepares them for their end-point assessment.
There are further roles and teams that support both apprentices and employers, and that work very closely with the PTs.
The role of the Academic Tutor is to support success by using, interpreting and building on the teaching resources produced by the OU and provided to apprentices. They monitor progression, mark assignments, provide personalised feedback and work in partnership to support the apprentices’ academic, personal and professional development. In addition, Academic Tutors provide pastoral support to apprentices. They are sometimes also referred to as Associate Lecturers or Module Tutors.
The AEST supports apprentices throughout their Apprenticeship journey. This team of friendly Senior Advisors can offer advice and support for a range of queries apprentices may have whilst studying their modules, whether that be for advice on an upcoming assignment or exam, navigation around the OU online learning platforms or when they are experiencing difficult circumstances that are having an impact on their studies. This support team is able to reach out to a wide range of relevant teams within the University to help apprentices get back on track again.
This team made up of English and/or maths specialist tutors and support staff that work with apprentices who are required to achieve English and/or maths qualifications during their apprenticeship. These specialist tutors are able to provide one-to-one support in areas of challenge and to help prepare the apprentice for the formal qualification tests.
This role supports employers to recruit and onboard applicants on to the chosen apprenticeship programme. APDMs provide information, advice and guidance and carry out an initial assessment to ensure the apprenticeship is the right one at the right level for the individual. APDMs provide quarterly management information reports to employers detailing learners progress and put interventions in place where an apprentice is in need of support. Employers will have a named APDM to be the primary contact for apprenticeship delivery throughout the programme.
Practice Assessors ensures the apprentice has resources to complete their competencies. They meet the apprentice regularly to follow up on their progress, discuss and sign off their competencies. The Practice Assessor is responsible for ensuring an apprentice is completing their competencies and liaises with other professionals and units to ensure the apprentice completes other competencies which may not be available in their allocated placement.
The role of a Practice Supervisor is to support and supervise ACP nursing and midwifery apprentices in the practice learning environment. All ACP nursing and midwifery apprentices must be supervised while learning in practice environments.
This is a person in the workplace who supports the choice of apprenticeship programme for their employee or applicant and is involved in the onboarding process with their applicant. Line managers facilitate the apprentice to take off-the-job planned training time and they fully engage in 12 weekly progress review meetings with the Practice Tutor and apprentice. Line managers have regular one to one meetings with their apprentices to integrate the apprenticeship into performance and development. They are key to enabling a successful work-based project and completion of the apprentice’s end-point assessment.
An apprenticeship requires a part of an apprentice’s working time for off-the-job protected training time to allow the apprentice to engage in the learning. The Open University’s tutor-supported online learning gives the employer and the apprentice the flexibility to pick the most suitable times around organisational and personal needs – minimising the impact on day-to-day productivity.
At present the face-to-face days on the programme are being delivered via online meeting rooms. It is a compulsory requirement for learners to attend these days. The Open University is currently reviewing the safe delivery of on-campus face-to-face days and the programme team will be guided by the university and the Statutory Health Profession Regulators in reviewing online and on-campus delivery. Employers and learners will be advised in advance of any changes to the delivery pattern.
Online delivery is both varied and interactive, using rich media formats that engage and enthuse apprentices on their journey. Learning can be accessed 24/7 on computers, tablets and mobile devices. Online forums and tutorials as well as email and telephone communication are used to support apprentices throughout the programme.
For a more detailed look at our Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship, download our brochure, or contact our business team advisors.
Develop the relevant skills for your organisation, improve productivity and achieve higher staff morale.
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Delivered in partnership with employers, this flexible and innovative Level 7 Apprenticeship will prepare experienced registered healthcare professionals to develop their professional careers as Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs).
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For a more detailed look at our Advanced Clinical Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship, download our brochure. |
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