Overview
HNC Healthcare Practice (part time) is aimed at applicants currently working in a care setting who wish to develop their skills and knowledge.
This course is suitable if you want to pursue a career in nursing and other health-related fields. It combines the required academic knowledge with the skills and competencies gained from a practical vocational experience. This qualification is also suitable if you want to work as a Health Care Support Worker.
Minimum entry requirements
- Two Highers at Grade C or above including English; OR
- One Higher plus Foundation Apprenticeship in SVQ Social Services & Healthcare; OR
- SQA National Units at SCQF Level 6 in a related subject; OR
- Other equivalent qualifications or experience.
- Applicants should also be currently employed in a care environment, where they can be supported to complete the practical aspects of the course. Suitable environments include working in a health care support worker role, or working as a care assistant in a residential home where nursing support is provided to patients.
Should applicants not be currently employed in a healthcare environment, they will be responsible for sourcing a suitable placement for year two of the course.
Additional selection requirements
- You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.
- You’ll also need to provide a reference from your current employer in the care sector, to confirm your suitability for the course, and that your employer will support you to complete the placement requirements. If you are not currently working in the care sector, a reference from any current employer will suffice.
- Successful students will be subject to PVG registration.
What you study
Some of the units you will study over two years are:
- Clinical Skills for Care Practitioners.
- Professional Standards for Care Practitioners.
- Safe Working Practice for Care.
- The Human Body in Health and Illness.
- Sociology and Health in Scotland.
- Graded unit.
Students taking the part time route should be currently employed in a healthcare setting that allows them to complete the relevant number of placement hours in year two of the programme. Appropriate settings may include nursing homes or healthcare support roles in hospitals. Healthcare settings will need to support students by completing paperwork and providing a mentor/supervisor.
Domiciliary care, social care or bank work is not generally suitable for placement hours, as students are required to develop clinical skill competencies as part of the placement.
Students not currently working in a suitable setting will be required to source a placement for year two of the programme.
After the course
The course aligns with the knowledge and skills for those wishing to work as Senior Healthcare Support Workers.
Continuing Study
Successful completion may allow you to progress to a Degree programme in Nursing, Paramedic Science and Allied Health Professions. Some students may access Year 2 of the Nursing Degree at the University of the West of Scotland or Glasgow Caledonian University. Progression is dependent on a satisfactory PVG check, and a number of other criteria as outlined by the universities each year.
How the course is taught
The teaching and learning method uses a student-centred approach, where you are encouraged to develop a critical approach to your studies. Teaching sessions include a blended learning approach, combining both on-campus face-to-face teaching and online learning. Vocational skills are developed through a combination of clinical skills simulation teaching in our state-of-the-art simulation centre and practice placement.
Dress code
Students not currently working in the healthcare sector will be required to purchase a uniform for placement in year two (approximately £60).