Course Description
Are you a registered ophthalmic professional who is looking to develop your career to an advanced level of practice in Clinical Ophthalmology? If so, this course is for you!
With a strong clinical focus and alignment to the NHS England Advanced Clinical Practice framework, our future-facing programme prepares optometrists, orthoptists and ophthalmic nurses to work with a high level of autonomy as part of integrated healthcare teams, in both the primary and secondary care sectors.
Key features
This innovative and flexible MSc programme supports the postgraduate development of registered ophthalmic professionals to an advanced level of practice in Clinical Ophthalmology.
Commissioned by Health Education England and informed by national and local consultation with sectors specialists, it is the first programme of its kind in the Southwest.
Emphasis is placed on the four pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice: Education, Leadership and Management, Clinical Practice and Research, equipping clinicians with the confidence to provide professional leadership and supervision in complex situations and use person-centred approaches to manage defined episodes of clinical care independently from beginning to end.
The incorporation of a variety of optional clinical modules offers the exciting opportunity to tailor the learning experience to meet the interest of both the clinician and employer.
- Undertake an MSc programme of study designed to prepare you to work with a high level of autonomy as part of integrated healthcare teams.
- Achieve a named MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology which can be used to enhance career opportunities.
- Develop your clinical expertise, research, education and leadership skills to an advanced level of practice, equipping you to take on lead roles.
- Complete the programme over 3 years part-time, or flexibly across 6 years.
- Follow a blended learning approach, with a combination of distance learning, webinars and a face-to-face clinical day at University of Plymouth.
- Find the programme to be suitable to those working in both the primary and secondary care sectors.
- Gain recognition against, and support progression through, the Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) framework (Levels 1 to 3), where applicable.
- Gain recognition against the College of Optometrists Higher Qualifications, where applicable.
- Engage in a multidisciplinary study environment allowing rich peer learning opportunities.
Entry Requirements
This programme is designed for registered optometrists, orthoptists and ophthalmic nurses, who are currently working clinically in an ophthalmic setting that will facilitate the successful completion of the programme (primary or secondary care).
- Applicants will normally have a relevant first degree, BSc (Hons) at 2:1 or above; or a European first cycle equivalent.
- Applicants without a first degree, BSc (Hons) at 2:1 or above may be eligible to apply, if combined with appropriate practice related experience relevant to the programme and following submission of a written critical evaluation of advanced practice marked against the Level 7 criteria.
- Certified evidence of an appropriate level of competence in clinical examination of the eye, to include slit lamp examination of the anterior eye, slit lamp biomicroscopy assessment of the optic nerve head and retina and tonometry, will be required where applicable, and where necessary for the successful completion of a chosen clinical module.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English through an IELTS average of 6.5, overall minimum of 5.5 in each part.
- Due to the blended learning delivery model of this MSc, it is an expectation that applicants will have access to wi-fi and relevant electronic devices that allow them to engage fully with all aspects of programme delivery, teaching, learning and assessment.
- All applicants will be interviewed to assess their individual ability to meet the requirements of this programme.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certified or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following University of Plymouth regulations and Faculty of Health procedures
Fees
For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more
Programme Funding
From scholarships and loans, to grants from charitable trusts, you can fund your postgraduate study at Plymouth in a number of ways.
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