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First Contact Physiotherapy Practitioner (Musculoskeletal)

Postgraduate Certificate

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Overview

This programme is aimed at physiotherapists working in the specialty of musculoskeletal practice in a variety of health care settings, including primary care.

It offers physiotherapists a range of opportunities to develop their theoretical knowledge relevant to their role as (or working towards) First Contact Physiotherapy Practitioner (Musculoskeletal).

Students will integrate the theory and evidence base of musculoskeletal practice. The modules include taught sessions at the University's Faculty of Health Studies to encourage shared learning. These sessions include both theory and practical skills with an emphasis on clinical reasoning and problem-solving in a primary care environment.

Further learning and teaching will take place in a work-based learning environment in a clinical setting under the guidance of a clinical mentor. Students require access to an appropriate musculoskeletal (MSK) clinical caseload in order to be able to undertake the modules.

The modules in Bradford have been developed in conjunction with clinicians, stakeholders and primary care providers working within the region, thus ensuring the continued clinical relevance of the programme.

Placements will be attended on a one-day-per-week basis for 10-12 weeks.

A further strength of the programme is the use of external lecturers who are specialists within their field of primary care and continue to have a clinical caseload.

This course is recognised by The Centre for Advancing Practice as meeting the FCP Roadmap Stage 1 and 2 requirements. Practitioners who successfully complete this course will be eligible to seek FCP recognition from the Centre and to apply for their FCP digital badge as recognition of their educational achievement.

Entry requirements

Must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Minimum of two years post-registration experience
Must demonstrate the ability to work at Level 7 (Master's level)
Must be able to attend the 75 hours practice placement during the working hours of 9:00 - 18:00, Monday to Friday, regardless of current working arrangement
Your application must be supported by your employer who agrees to release you to attend the taught content and practice placement. If you're self-employed, there will be no reimbursement for lost earnings to attend the taught content and practice placement

Application process

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a Learning Needs Analysis (LNA). This is accessed through the application portal (click 'Apply now')
Assessment of the LNA will not be undertaken by the academic staff to determine which route would be the most appropriate for you in view of your previous qualifications and experience.
Once an assessment of your LNA has been completed, we will communicate which route is suggested for you. This will be either Higher Education Institution (HEI) taught or a supported portfolio route.
If the HEI taught route has been suggested, you will be required to identify a nominated appropriately trained supervisor to support you for the 75-hour practice placement component as part of the second module on the PG Cert (FCP2 - Working in Primary Care). Your local Primary Care Training Hub may be able to support you in finding a supervisor should you encounter difficulties.*
If the supported portfolio route has been suggested, then you will be required to identify an appropriate supervisor to support you through the process of building your ePortfolio to meet Roadmap to Practice (MSK, July 2021) requirements.
For either route, programme fees will be funded by NHS England (subject to meeting university entry requirements).

*The sourcing of a placement or portfolio supervisor remains the sole responsibility of the applicant not The University of Bradford.

English language requirements: Students for whom English is not their first language must have at least IELTS 7 with no element below 6.5.

Your learning journey

All module information is for 2022 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

Learning and assessment

The content is completed by distance learning, and you will be encouraged to use the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to share practice, case scenarios and literature.

Assessments will allow you to demonstrate an in depth subject knowledge and develop your verbal and written communication skills.

Formal and informal feedback will be given during sessions, following formal assessment.

During the second module, you will undertake 75 hours of supervised clinical practice with a clinical mentor nominated by you, who agrees to support you and to adhere to our supervision structure.

Official programme specification

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee

Postgraduate Certificate: £2765

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

Subject to meeting requirements, the course is funded by NHS England.

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

May enhance employability for experienced physiotherapists seeking to enter advanced practice roles.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes, there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.