Assistant Practitioner (Mental Health)

Assistant Practitioners have skills and experience in a particular area of clinical practice. Although they are not registered practitioners, they have a higher level of skill through their experience and training and work across both the NHS and other areas of healthcare services.

This programme covers the core knowledge and skills required in mental health and social care, including interpersonal communication skills, the application of appropriate health models to practice, psychology, sociology, anatomy, physiology, health and disease, pharmacology, mental health literacy, the influence and impact of social relationships, crisis care, research and assessment of skills competency in practice.

Students will emerge with comprehensive understanding of factors that influence both the cause of poor mental health or social circumstance and the
resulting care that may be offered.

Learning occurs in the workplace and draws on your current employment experience. This enables you to gain, develop and demonstrate the additional theoretical, practical and professional knowledge and skills required by an Assistant Practitioner or other health or social care worker, supporting you to deliver enhanced care to your patients.

Modules may include:
• Clinical Practice in Mental Health 1 and 2
• Communication for Practice
• Psychology and Sociology of Health
• Occupational Case Study
• Principles of Leadership and Management
• Professional Development.

Teaching and Assessment
Assessments are a mix of written assignments, presentations, and exams.

Progression opportunities
On successful completion of the programme, you are eligible to apply for Band 4 Assistant Practitioner positions or equivalent within the NHS and private, voluntary and independent health and social care organisations.

For those who wish to progress their studies, you may be eligible to apply for advanced entry to a Level 6 BSc (Hons) programme, for example BSc (Hons) Nursing