Senior Lecturer

Podiatric Surgery (Advanced Clinical Practice) - UH-000882

The University of Huddersfield seeks and encourages applicants in order to widen participation, improve access and apply the principles of equal opportunities. We provide support for applicants who require additional assistance in order to select the right course of study and make a successful transition to studying at University. 
The University provides opportunities for the accreditation of prior learning (APL) as stated at           the following link:
<a href="http://www.hud.ac.uk/registry/regulationsandpolicies/awards/">http://www.hud.ac.uk/registry/regulationsandpolicies/awards/</a>
Further information related to the School APL process can be found on the School pages in the VLE.
The University’s general minimum entry requirements are specified in the ‘Regulations for Awards which can be found on the Registry website as follows:
<a href="http://www.hud.ac.uk/registry/regulationsandpolicies/awards/">http://www.hud.ac.uk/registry/regulationsandpolicies/awards/</a>
Every person who applies for this course and meets the minimum entry requirement – regardless of any disability – will be given the same opportunity in the selection process.  In addition to completing an application form, all applicants will be interviewed to ensure that the course is suitable for that particular student. General advice and information regarding disability and the support the University can give can be found by contacting  student services as follows:
Telephone: 01484 472675
Email: disability@hud.ac.uk
Further information is available at their website at:
<a href="http://www.hud.ac.uk/disability-services/">http://www.hud.ac.uk/disability-services/</a>
In addition this course leads to professional recognition as podiatrist practising podiatric surgery with the HCPC, further advice on the specific skills and abilities needed to successfully undertake this course can be found by visiting the profession’s website at <a href="http://www.hpc-uk.org/aboutregistration/standards/podiatricsurgery/">http://www.hpc-uk.org/aboutregistration/standards/podiatricsurgery/</a> and by contacting the admissions tutor.    
However, the specific entry requirements and admission criteria for this course are detailed below.
The minimum requirement for entry for new students onto the course is normally
<ul>
<li>Applicants should have an MSc in Theory of Podiatric Surgery or equivalent qualification</li>
<li>Applicants should be registered as a podiatrist with the HCPC and annotated in Prescription-Only Medicines – Sale/supply (POM-S/S) and Prescription only Medicines – Administration (POM-A)</li>
<li>Applicants should have written confirmation of a podiatric surgical training post with an appropriately trained surgical tutor/clinical supervisor or equivalent</li>
<li>Applicants should have a Royal College of Podiatry National Training Number or equivalent</li>
<li>Applicants should have completed a probationary period in this post and successfully completed the Objective Assessment of Professional Skills (OAPS) test before being granted approval from the Royal College of Podiatry and the University to apply for this course.</li>
</ul>
Application Approval Process
The application approval process aims to provide both the applicant and the selection team with the details required to make an informed decision. The selection team will be made up of University staff, HCPC-annotated podiatrists practising podiatric surgery and service-users. It is for this reason that all suitable candidates are invited for interview and given the opportunity to look round the University and division as well as being able to talk with staff, existing students and service-users. 
In exceptional circumstances, usually due to problems with travelling long distances, Teams (or equivalent) interviews are given. In these circumstances the applicant is urged to find out as much information about the University as they can prior to the interview to enable them the opportunity to ask relevant questions. It is also possible to arrange for the candidate to speak to one of our existing students over the telephone. The main criteria on which offers are based are:
<ul>
<li>Motivation</li>
<li>An understanding of the role of the podiatrist practising podiatric surgery</li>
<li>Evidence of having spent some time in a podiatric surgery clinical environment</li>
<li>MSc Theory of Podiatric Surgery</li>
<li>Evidence of CPD</li>
</ul>
Criteria for admissions for the APL process for podiatrists who have not completed the fellowship of podiatric surgery through the existing training programme run by the Royal College of Podiatry Faculty of Podiatric Surgery.
<ul>
<li>Applicants should be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council or equivalent</li>
<li>Currently have a training place approved by the Royal College of Podiatry</li>
</ul>
An Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check is required as part of the admissions process.

UH-000882 - Podiatric Surgery (Advanced Clinical Practice)

Masters Optional

Masters Core

Masters Compulsory

Masters Level

Structure

Students must complete all the following course requirements:
<ul>
<li>All modules must be passed</li>
<li>Full clinical attendance is required prior to progression. The course handbook has further information about clinical attendance-monitoring. Module practice-based learning hours must be completed before assessment can be taken. Tripartite placement meetings will be used to make the arrangements for practice-based learning hours to met</li>
<li>There is no compensation between theory and practice</li>
<li>All must be passed at 50%</li>
<li>There is no condonement allowed on this course</li>
<li>To qualify for the award, students must complete and pass all the module requirements</li>
<li>Issues relating to poor professional conduct or poor performance on placement are considered in line with placement documentation</li>
<li>Identities of individuals and organisations should be anonymised and confidences respected Consent should be obtained from individual patients/clients for use of any of their personal health information</li>
</ul>
Role of External Examiners
<ul>
<li>External examiners are approved through Course Committees before being appointed by School Boards and approved by University Learning and Teaching Committee. For the role of external examiner a practitioner of podiatric surgery would be desirable as an external examiner in additional to an academic</li>
</ul>
The role of the examiner is to ensure academic and professional standards are maintained through:
<ul>
<li>Review a sample of coursework and examinations, including attendance at the final practical examination</li>
<li>Attendance at course assessment boards</li>
</ul>
The External examiner reports separately to the University and the Royal College of Podiatrists, for whom they act as Chief External Examiner for the course.

Postgraduate Certificate

Postgraduate Diploma

Critically evaluate their own clinical and surgical practice through critical reflection, case review, mentor support and appraisal, and professional development.

Communicate complex matters, issues and ideas effectively, and work in partnership, with stakeholders, colleagues, peers within podiatry or other disciplines.

Exercise an independent learning ability, critical, analytical and evaluative approach to continuous professional development and lifelong learning.

Demonstrate safe and effective podiatric surgical practice consistent with professional and regulatory requirements.

Identify a diagnosis to determine options for treatment including surgery.

Plan, develop and evaluate methods of enquiry, analyse and interpret data and other relevant information to inform or facilitate clinical effectiveness.

Communicate clearly and effectively with all appropriate multidisciplinary team members, service-users and carers to provide information about the treatment and potential outcomes and work in partnership, with colleagues, peers within podiatry or other disciplines on complex matters, issues and ideas.

Critically appraise current political and policy factors influencing their professional specialism.

Interpret, apply and evaluate relevant clinical knowledge and evidence base related to the practice of podiatric surgery.

Order and interpret appropriate clinical investigations.

Undertake thorough and detailed holistic assessments that considers the patient when assessing the foot and its associated structures

Recognise the limits of their own scope of practice, working with colleagues and/or referring onto other agencies where appropriate.

Critically appraise literature, theoretical debates and ethical dimensions influencing the practice of podiatric surgery.

Demonstrate safe and effective practice relating to the selection of suitable surgical cases, gaining consent, and providing appropriate peri-operative advice and care and post-operative management.

Exercise initiative, critical thought and decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations that can serve to enhance their professional activities.

Demonstrate the application of a range of theories, surgical concepts and principles in relationship to podiatric surgical practice to develop holistic care to diverse service-user groups and their carers or support providers.

Critically appraise, through reflective practice the evaluation of personal and professional goals, aspirations and contribution to leadership in their discipline.

The School is committed to comprehensive student engagement and works actively with the University of Huddersfield Student Union to support this through the student representative system see further information at:
<a href="http://www.huddersfield.su/courserepwebsite">http://www.huddersfield.su/courserepwebsite</a>
Within the School students are represented at committee level from Student Panels to the School Board. The School also has a Student Council.  Individual feedback on the quality and standards of teaching and learning is received through module and course evaluations.
An effective external examination system is managed by Registry and all reports are viewed at University, School and course levels. External examiner and student feedback, as well as all statistical data about the course, is reported through the course committee structure and scrutinised through the University wide annual evaluation process. Good practice and innovation are highlighted through the annual evaluation process.
Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies
The Health and Care Professions Council, as the statutory regulatory body, undertakes an annual monitoring process of the provision against its Standards of Education and Training and Standards of Proficiencies.  A visit to review or monitor standards on the course is undertaken when significant change to the provision has been implemented. The Royal College of Podiatry as the professional body monitors and accredits the course through the external examiner who is approved by the College when appointed to the University.

UH-000882

This programme specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if they take full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the study module handbook and course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the University.
Service-user involvement is essential element of the course. The University has a public partnership group that facilitates the input of service-users, their immediate relatives or carers into courses. On this course service users involvement will be through attendance to then course committee, support with the application process and input to modules through ‘patient stories’ to give students a better understanding of the patient experience of podiatric surgery.

At course level support is provided by:
Personal Tutor
The University has implemented a personal tutor system for students. This system aims to both improve the student experience of learning and teaching, and increase student retention and achievement rates. Specifically, personal tutors:
<ul>
<li>Provide a personal contact for the student within the University and the School</li>
<li>Act as a liaison between the student, clinical supervisor and course leaders to seek any improvements required</li>
<li>Offer guidance, assistance and support in managing the students' academic and placement experience</li>
<li>Recognise when the problems presented are beyond the personal tutor's competence and seek guidance and support for the student through the University and/or School referral processes.</li>
<li>Work with students to review and reflect upon their own progress and if necessary on ways to improve it</li>
<li>Take part in supportive training events.</li>
</ul>
Where personal tutor arrangements do not apply, the first point of contact for students is the Student Hub.
Surgical Tutor
The surgical tutor is the clinical supervisor and is responsible for teaching, learning and assessment of the work-based learning the student will be undertaking within this course. They will also input and undertake assessments on this course. They will be required to meet the following criteria
<ul>
<li>HCPC-registered podiatrist practising podiatric surgery or equivalent</li>
<li>Undertaken surgical tutor/clinical supervisor training or equivalent</li>
</ul>
The minimum requirement for clinical educator/surgical tutor training is to have undertaken a course/module that covers the following syllabus:
<ul>
<li>Quality Assurance in practice education (audit, clinical governance &amp; standards).</li>
<li>The clinical learning environment and the context of practice.</li>
<li>Supporting the development of innovative practice</li>
<li>Facilitating the integration of theory and practice through reflectio</li>
<li>Learning theories and strategies</li>
<li>Assessment strategies, notions of competence and managing failing students</li>
<li>Managing students with disabilities</li>
<li>Ethical, legal and professional issues in practice-based learning</li>
<li>Have employer support for having a surgical trainee</li>
<li>Be approved with the appropriate professional body, e.g. the Royal College of Podiatry, as a surgical tutor and have a College-approved surgical training place, advertised in line with the recruitment principles and complying with the Equality Act 2010</li>
</ul>
Course Leader
The course leader is responsible for the entire quality assurance arrangements for the course.