PgCert Advanced Communication Skills

Attendance

Part-time, Distance learning

Part-time and distance learning

• advanced communication and information in supportive care – distance learning over four months during semester one

• advanced communication skills in practice – distance learning over four months during semester two including three university study days over two weekends

At a glance

Develop your communication skills relating to your clinical practice on this course. You are supported by lecturers and clinicians who are specialists in advanced communication.

Key points
• Study both modules to gain a postgraduate certificate qualification or take as part of a masters programme.
• Critically evaluate your own communication skills.
• Explore current evidence regarding effective communication.
• Learn using flexible teaching resources such as e-learning, alongside individual study days.

About this course

Take your communication skills in clinical practice to an advanced level on this distance learning course. The course is split into two modules and you study advanced communication skills in practice and advanced communication and information in supportive care.

These modules have a direct impact on developing communication skills in your own clinical practice. They can be studied as a stand alone qualification or as part of a masters programme.

Advanced communication skills in practice
You critically explore the current evidence that supports the principles and practice of effective communication, counselling and information provision.

Your studies during this module take place through face-to-face and e-learning. This allows you to
• apply new knowledge and skills
• critically reflect and gain feedback on your performance
• discuss these with peers and tutors

You study via the Internet in your own time but you must be able to attend the university for the taught parts of the course. We provide full instructions and support before and during the module.

During the taught days, you share experiences and learning with peers from various professions and clinical settings. These sessions are problem solving and role play exercises supported by lecturers and clinicians, who are specialists in advanced communication skills. The structure of the study days follows the advanced communication skills endorsed by the Department of Health, with the addition of an assessment component.

You also benefit from tutor-supported online discussions, often on challenging issues, that guide your learning and allow you to share views with other students.

For the assessment you submit a portfolio of learning showing how you critically evaluated your applied advanced communication skills and knowledge during a simulated client interview. You must also evaluate your own development in clinical practice. As part of the assessment you design an insightful and reasoned plan showing how you will develop your future practice.

Advanced communication and information in supportive care
This module enables critical self-reflection of your communication skills and supports the development of a personal action plan for your future practice. The patient experience is considered carefully and you explore the impact of communication on patients and carers, understanding of the role of advanced communication and information in managing the unique problems faced by people living with cancer and other chronic illnesses.

By addressing the cognitive, behavioural and emotional aspects of communication you focus on developing key skills and strategies for dealing with situations through effective face-to-face communication between practitioners and patients/carers. You also explore information needs, relating to the ability to assess information on its quality, level of complexity, timing, patient-centredness and currency.

For this module we supply a wide range of online resources and material including • PowerPoint presentations • links to websites • case scenarios (practice and patient/user based).

The module leader provides support via tutorials, discussion boards, email or telephone contact.

For the assessment, you take a critical look at your own communication skills. This includes developing an action plan for practice. You also write an in-depth review on one area advanced communication skills, counselling approaches or information provision.

Study individual modules
You can study individual modules from this course and gain academic credit towards a qualification. Visit our continuing professional development website for more information.

Associated careers

Completing this course provides you with a firm foundation for further studies, such as counselling or bereavement work.

This course also helps to support and develop your clinical role if advanced communication is an essential skill and key to providing high quality care.

Course content

Core modules

Advanced communication and information in supportive care (30 credits)
This module has been developed to enhance role development for health care professionals in the area of psychosocial support. Recent policy has advocated that staff working in cancer and palliative care settings should be committed to developing advanced communication skills and access specific accredited training.

This module does not assess practical competencies. It is designed to aid the reflective practitioner who can develop a specific area of their practice, in advanced communication or informational developments.

Advanced communication skills in practice (30 credits)
The module aims to provide a peer support environment by using simulated scenarios to develop effective psychological support to client groups.

Assessment

• essays • portfolios • contribution to online discussion forums

Entry requirements

Normally, you need
• a qualification of equivalent standard and relevance, such as a first degree or professional qualification in another healthcare subject
• a minimum of one year post-qualification clinical experience

You also need to
• satisfy us of your ability to complete the course
• have access to the internet, be able to online resources and be available to attend the University for the taught parts of the course

If English is not your first language you need at least 6.5 IELTS score.

Course enrolment - professional requirements
Before enrolling, you must fully declare during the admissions process any
• unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on convictions that must be declared see the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) website.
• disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or educational establishments
• involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations

You also need to complete
• a DBS Enhanced Disclosure, and provide us with a copy of your DBS Enhanced Disclosure Certificate if requested. Enrolment also depends on the DBS check being deemed suitable for professional training.
• occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course and an approved programme of immunisation, as recommended by the Department of Health. Health screening and immunisation are provided by the University.

If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements  – from when you apply to the end of your course – you must tell the Professional Issues Team immediately by calling  0114 225 3995 or 0114 225 5786.

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £1,530 for the course

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically
£600 per 15 credit module
£1,200 per 30 credit module

2014/15 academic year

Typically
£615 per 15 credit module
£1,230 per 30 credit module

How to apply

Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form

Contact details

For further details, please contact our Post-experience and Postgraduate Office, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB. Phone +44 (0)114 225 2373, fax +44 (0)114 225 2394 or e-mail AlliedHealth@shu.ac.uk