Work at an enhanced level of practice, applying your specific knowledge, skills, and capabilities within oncology to improve the quality of care through innovative practices.

About the apprenticeship

Course length: 15 months, part-time, plus 3 month end-point assessment

Start date: March

Course level: Level 7

University award: PGCert Enhanced Level Practice (Radiotherapy and Oncology) 

How much it costs: Funded through the employer

Course summary

The postgraduate certificate in enhanced level practice in radiotherapy and oncology allows you to build upon your expertise within a defined scope of enhanced level practice. 

Suitable for health professionals looking to expand their practice across the four pillars with the support of their employer and a robust scope of practice.

• Develop specialist knowledge and skills through evidence-based practice, critical reflection, and creative thinking.
• Assess your awareness of enhanced level practice across the four pillars: clinical, education, leadership, and research.
• Engage in interactive online teaching sessions.

This course meets the enhanced clinical practitioner apprenticeship standard. 

How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

This programme views you as experienced, eager to learn, and highly motivated to develop new ways of thinking. With flexible delivery, you can choose when and where to access learning activities, and learn at your own pace and style.

You will receive engaging, interactive online teaching sessions, supported by a training plan for off-the-job learning in the workplace.

You’ll learn through:  

• Access and motivation 
• Online socialisation  
• Information exchange  
• Knowledge construction 
• A range of assessments, including essays, reflective reports, portfolios, posters, research projects, self-appraisal and action plans. 
• Virtual learning environment 

You will develop critical thinking for complex decision-making and a patient-centred approach through critical reflection, and work-based learning experiences.

As part of the apprenticeship, you will complete an end-point assessment, supported by your embedded learning throughout the programme.

Applied learning

All 15 months of the course are structured around applied learning. This links your studies to real-world situations.

Develop in your workplace by collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Enhance your patient-centred approach through work-based learning, thriving personally, culturally, and professionally.

The course enhances your current knowledge and develops the skills and behaviours needed to meet your organisation's 21st-century healthcare needs.

Work placements
You may have placements organised by your organisation as part of your work-based learning. 

Networking opportunities 
You will be encouraged to work with your peers, where you may be able to plan discussions for knowledge exchange.

By the end of the course, you will be able to: 

• Apply clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills within a defined enhanced scope of practice. 
• Apply oncological knowledge
• Support research and audits
• Support educational needs for your organisation
• Develop service improvement projects

Campus facilities

This course will be taught online. 

On this course you work with: 

• Evidence-based learning resources 
• Academic and clinical experts 
• Resources to build upon the foundations of your transferable skills into
• enhanced level practice.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements ensure the apprenticeship is accessible to a diverse range of applicants while maintaining appropriate standards.

Applicants must:

• have the right to abode in the UK
• meet the course entry requirements

GCSE (or equivalent)

Maths and English at level 2 or above (grade 4, or previously C).

If you don't have this yet, we will refer you to our functional skills training partner where you'll need to complete the relevant qualifications during the first year of your apprenticeship.

If English is not your first language, you will also need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your level of English language is below IELTS 6.5 we will recommend an appropriate pre-sessional English course. Which will allow you to achieve the required level of English. 

Additional qualifications

Plus the following:

• A first degree 2:2 or equivalent (Diploma graduate with evidence of CPD should be accepted) For example, BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology or Therapeutic Radiography or a Diploma of the College of Radiographers.
• Current registration with their professional regulatory body. 
• At least three years post-registration experience, currently working in a relevant clinical area with access to a suitable co-ordinating education supervisor/mentor. You will typically be working in an extended role or moving into one within the field of radiotherapy and or oncology. 
• To engage in university learning during term time with the full support of workplace management. 

Other qualifications may be considered in discussion with the university.  

Modules

The course is designed so that apprentices will apply their learning back in the workplace using the training plan for every academic module. Content is delivered through a combination of academic and work-based learning. 

Mandatory modules

• Principles of enhanced level practice in oncology (PELPO)
• Application of pathophysiology and pharmacology in oncology (APPO)
• Enhanced practice personal and professional development (EPPPD) 
• End-point assessment for the enhanced clinical practitioner (EPA4ECP)

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change.