MSc Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences – Advanced Radiotherapy and Oncology Practice

This module covers skills in literature searching, information retrieval, and provides the opportunity to use electronic search databases and critical appraisal of evidence. You will be expected to challenge current practice by conducting a literature search and producing critique of a published study. These skills will inform your clinical decision making. This course is a compulsory module for all postgraduate medicine master’s degrees and postgraduate diplomas. 

Content includes the following:

• Understanding of the importance of evidence to inform practice and the impact of the hierarchy of evidence

• Efficient and systematic searching of appropriately identified databases 

• Retrieval of research evidence in order to answer an agreed research question relevant to the student’s programme of study

• Development of critical appraisal skills 

• Applying the evidence identified to the student’s own area of practice 

Note: no attendance at the University is required. You will need to have access to a computer on each of the above dates to access live online taught sessions by academic staff. These sessions will be recorded for repeat viewing but it is better if you participate in person as there will be opportunity to ask questions. 

The aims of the module are to gain understanding and skills in the legal, professional and ethical issues that inform advanced clinical practice.

You will review and consider:

• national and international drivers informing advanced practice;
• examine risk and governance systems in advanced practice;
• evaluate decision making and communication strategies that inform your practice.

The module requires you to develop both knowledge and skills, with a focus on interpersonal skills, multi-professional relationships and critical awareness of learning for self and others being demonstrated through module activities. 

Students must be able to access supervision in practice over the duration of the module, in order to develop and apply their knowledge, understanding, and skills.

This module is a core element of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice programme.

The module will normally address:

• Policy related to advanced clinical practice.
• Legal, professional & ethical issues that inform advanced clinical practice.
• Governance processes and risk management strategies.
• Decision making strategies for advanced clinical practice.
• Concepts of learning.
• Advanced communication skills.

In these challenging times Health and Care services need to be developed to meet growing demands but with decreasing resources. This course explores models, theories and the evidence base to enable you to identify how to lead change within your service. 

Content 

The course covers three main themes: the external context and health policy influencing change; service development and redesign; working with change and leadership. The course explores questions such as: How do you involve service users and other stakeholders in service development? How to identify what to change? How do you prepare for the future? How can you facilitate change through people and process, creating a sense of urgency and commitment? What is leadership and how do you lead? What types of leaders are required in challenging times? How can leadership styles influence team motivation and outcomes?

The aim of the course is to help you critically evaluate the role that contemporary imaging plays in the diagnosis, staging and management of cancer with specific reference to radiotherapy.

The module is designed to enable you to advance your knowledge and understanding of a range of imaging modalities and their use in the management of cancer. You will study a range of equipment and imaging techniques and reflect on their use with respect to your own clinical practice. Topics typically include: imaging modalities used in cancer staging and diagnosis. Radiotherapy imaging practices in localisation, verification and treatment.

This distance learning module can be studied on its own or as a module on the following educational pathways:

MSc / Pg. Dip / Pg Cert Advanced RT and Oncology Practice ·

MSc Advanced Practice 

Pg Cert in Imaging for Radiotherapy 

This is a work-based learning module for therapeutic radiographers that can be studied on its own or as a module on the following educational pathways:

• MSc / Pg. Dip / Pg Cert Advanced RT and Oncology Practice

• MSc Advanced Practice

• Pg Cert Pre-treatment

Course Aim

The aim of the course is to enable you to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding, clinical and evaluative skills required for the competent performance of independent breast localisation

Content

This module is designed around a work-based learning model, whereby you will learn breast localisation skills during a programme of supervised clinical practice. Clinical learning will be supported by independent study of a range of on-line learning materials so that you can develop clinical reasoning and justification skills and be able to reflect on and evaluate your practice with reference to relevant evidence related to radiotherapy breast localisation. 

The aims of the module are to gain understanding and skills in the legal, professional and ethical issues that inform advanced clinical practice.

You will review and consider:

• national and international drivers informing advanced practice;
• examine risk and governance systems in advanced practice;
• evaluate decision making and communication strategies that inform your practice.

The module requires you to develop both knowledge and skills, with a focus on interpersonal skills, multi-professional relationships and critical awareness of learning for self and others being demonstrated through module activities. 

Students must be able to access supervision in practice over the duration of the module, in order to develop and apply their knowledge, understanding, and skills.

This module is a core element of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice programme.

The module will normally address:

• Policy related to advanced clinical practice.
• Legal, professional & ethical issues that inform advanced clinical practice.
• Governance processes and risk management strategies.
• Decision making strategies for advanced clinical practice.
• Concepts of learning.
• Advanced communication skills.

In these challenging times Health and Care services need to be developed to meet growing demands but with decreasing resources. This course explores models, theories and the evidence base to enable you to identify how to lead change within your service. 

Content 

The course covers three main themes: the external context and health policy influencing change; service development and redesign; working with change and leadership. The course explores questions such as: How do you involve service users and other stakeholders in service development? How to identify what to change? How do you prepare for the future? How can you facilitate change through people and process, creating a sense of urgency and commitment? What is leadership and how do you lead? What types of leaders are required in challenging times? How can leadership styles influence team motivation and outcomes?

This module enables you to develop skills in a particular area of ultrasound practice as identified by the individual and line manager where relevant. The area of skills development will be of benefit to developing your chosen area of professional practice. The choice of topic and learning outcomes will be the subject of negotiation between you and your supervisor.

If you are not sure which is the most suitable option, we will be happy to advise you.

Delivery of the module will embody the Herts learning principles – using a blended and flexible learning approach, with one day of attendance in person on-campus and four days of online learning off-campus. You should be available to attend all days as advertised. Please note that the online learning days may include a range of synchronous and asynchronous teaching sessions, and you will need to attend and engage with these on the days specified. 

This course is designed for health care professionals who are interested in the principles of ultrasound reporting. It is a compulsory module within the Medical Ultrasound programme. 

This module forms part of a medical ultrasound programme which is accredited by Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) 

Course aims 

The course aims to enable student to evaluate the fundamental principles used in reporting ultrasound images 

Content 

On completion of the module students will typically be able to:

• Critically review and analyse the ethical and legal requirements of clinical reporting and the impact on patient management. 
• Critically analyse and apply the principles of clinical reporting in relation to the structure and significance of information given in a formal clinical report. 

This module is designed for health care professionals particularly radiographers who wish to develop the necessary clinical and evaluative skills for the competent performance and accurate reporting of their specific chosen area of vascular ultrasound examinations. The module is taken in combination with Ultrasound Image Production & Optimisation and Principles of Ultrasound Reporting in order to achieve an ultrasound qualification. It may only be studied as a standalone module by qualified sonographers who have not previously studied Vascular ultrasound.

On completion of the module students will typically:

Be able to demonstrate a depth of knowledge and critical understanding of haemodynamics, anatomy, physiology and pathology of their specific chosen area of the vascular system.

Have a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable for ultrasound investigation of the normal and abnormal vascular systems in their specific chosen area.

Demonstrate critical awareness in synthesising clinical information and evaluative skills for the competent performance of ultrasound examinations their specific chosen area of vascular ultrasound structures.

Demonstrate a range of advanced communication and decision-making skills and engage confidently in academic and professional communication appropriate to their professional practice.

Demonstrate technical expertise in competently performing their specific chosen area of vascular ultrasound examinations with precision and effectiveness.

On completion of the module students will typically:

• Have a comprehensive understanding of ultrasound image production and optimisation and the range of scanning equipment currently available in order to justify and critically evaluate its use in medical ultrasound examinations.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of possible bioeffects and safety measures.
• Have knowledge of the Doppler effect and its applications.
• Be able to critically evaluate the principles of diagnostic ultrasound imaging and be able to utilise the information and knowledge to practice in a safe and competent manner.

This module forms part of a medical ultrasound programme which is accredited by Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE)

Delivery of the module will embody the Herts learning principles – using a blended and flexible learning approach, with some days of attendance in person on-campus and some of online learning off-campus. You should be available to attend all days as advertised. Please note that the online learning days may include a range of synchronous and asynchronous teaching sessions, and you will need to attend and engage with these on the days specified.

This module is designed for health care professionals particularly radiographers, who wish to develop the necessary clinical and evaluative skills for the competent performance and accurate reporting of relevant abdominal and general ultrasound examinations. The module is taken in combination with Ultrasound Image Production & Optimisation and Principles of Ultrasound Reporting in order to achieve an ultrasound qualification. It may only be studied as a standalone module by qualified sonographers who have not previously studied Gynaecological ultrasound.

On completion of the module students will typically:

• Be able to demonstrate a depth of knowledge and critical understanding of the anatomy, physiology, pathology of the relevant abdominal and general structures

• Have a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable for ultrasound investigation of normal and abnormal relevant abdominal and general structures

• Demonstrate critical awareness in synthesising clinical information and evaluative skills for the competent performance of ultrasound examinations of the relevant abdominal and general structures

• Demonstrate a range of advanced communication and decision-making skills and engage confidently in academic and professional communication appropriate to their professional practice.

• Demonstrate technical expertise in competently performing relevant abdominal and general ultrasound examinations with precision and effectiveness.

Delivery of the module will embody the Herts learning principles – using a blended and flexible learning approach, with some days of attendance in person on-campus and some of online learning off-campus. You should be available to attend all days as advertised. Please note that the online learning days may include a range of synchronous and asynchronous teaching sessions, and you will need to attend and engage with these on the days specified

On completion of the module students will typically:

• Be able to demonstrate a depth of knowledge and critical understanding of normal and abnormal pregnancy from conception to 13 weeks gestation including maternal complications and common fetal developmental anomalies that may arise during that stage of pregnancy.
• Demonstrate a depth of knowledge and critical understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and relevant pathology of the female pelvis.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable for ultrasound investigation of the normal and abnormal pregnancy from conception to 13 weeks and related pelvic structures.
• Demonstrate critical awareness in synthesising clinical information and evaluative skills for the competent performance of ultrasound examinations of the pregnant uterus and related abdominal and pelvic structures.
• Demonstrate a range of advanced communication and decision-making skills and engage confidently in academic and professional communication appropriate to their professional practice.
• Demonstrate technical expertise in competently performing pregnant uterus and related abdominal and pelvic ultrasound examinations with precision and effectiveness.

Delivery of the module will embody the Herts learning principles – using a blended and flexible learning approach, with some days of attendance in person on-campus and some of online learning off-campus. You should be available to attend all days as advertised. Please note that the online learning days may include a range of synchronous and asynchronous teaching sessions, and you will need to attend and engage with these on the days specified.

This module is designed for health care professionals particularly radiographers, midwives and nurses who wish to develop the necessary clinical and evaluative skills for the competent performance and accurate reporting of female pelvic ultrasound examinations. The module is taken in combination with Ultrasound Image Production & Optimisation and Principles of Ultrasound Reporting in order to achieve an ultrasound qualification. It may only be studied as a standalone course by qualified sonographers who have not previously studied Gynaecological ultrasound.

On completion of the module students will typically:

• Be able to demonstrate a depth of knowledge and critical understanding of the anatomy, physiology, pathology of the female pelvis.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable for ultrasound investigation of normal and abnormal female pelvis.
• Demonstrate critical awareness in synthesising clinical information and evaluative skills for the competent performance of ultrasound examinations of the female pelvis
• Demonstrate a range of advanced communication and decision-making skills and engage confidently in academic and professional communication appropriate to their professional practice.
• Demonstrate technical expertise in competently performing female pelvic ultrasound examinations with precision and effectiveness.

This module forms part of a medical ultrasound programme which is accredited by Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE)

This course aims to enable students to develop the necessary clinical and evaluative skills for the competent performance and accurate reporting of female pelvic ultrasound examinations. 

Delivery of the module will embody the Herts learning principles – using a blended and flexible learning approach, with some days of attendance in person on-campus and some of online learning off-campus. You should be available to attend all days as advertised. Please note that the online learning days may include a range of synchronous and asynchronous teaching sessions, and you will need to attend and engage with these on the days specified. 

This course is designed for health care professionals particularly radiographers, midwives and nurses who wish to develop the necessary clinical and evaluative skills for the competent performance and accurate reporting of obstetric ultrasound examinations. The course is taken in combination with Ultrasound Image Production & Optimisation and Principles of Ultrasound Reporting in order to achieve an ultrasound qualification. It may only be studied as a standalone course by qualified sonographers who have not previously studied Obstetric ultrasound. 

This module forms part of a medical ultrasound programme which is accredited by Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) 

Course aims 

This course aims to enable students to develop the necessary clinical and evaluative skills for the competent performance and accurate reporting of obstetric ultrasound examinations. 

Content 

On completion of the module students will typically: 

• Be able to demonstrate a depth of knowledge and critical understanding of normal and abnormal pregnancy from conception to birth including maternal complications and common fetal developmental anomalies that may arise during pregnancy.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable for ultrasound investigation of normal and abnormal pregnancy from conception to birth including maternal complications and common fetal developmental anomalies that may arise during pregnancy.
• Demonstrate critical awareness in synthesising clinical information and evaluative skills for the competent performance of ultrasound examinations of the pregnant uterus and related abdominal and pelvic structures.
• Demonstrate a range of advanced communication and decision-making skills and engage confidently in academic and professional communication appropriate to their professional practice.
• Demonstrate technical expertise in competently performing obstetric ultrasound examinations with precision and effectiveness. 

The aims of the module are to gain understanding and skills in the legal, professional and ethical issues that inform advanced clinical practice.

You will review and consider:

• national and international drivers informing advanced practice;
• examine risk and governance systems in advanced practice;
• evaluate decision making and communication strategies that inform your practice.

The module requires you to develop both knowledge and skills, with a focus on interpersonal skills, multi-professional relationships and critical awareness of learning for self and others being demonstrated through module activities. 

Students must be able to access supervision in practice over the duration of the module, in order to develop and apply their knowledge, understanding, and skills.

This module is a core element of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice programme.

The module will normally address:

• Policy related to advanced clinical practice.
• Legal, professional & ethical issues that inform advanced clinical practice.
• Governance processes and risk management strategies.
• Decision making strategies for advanced clinical practice.
• Concepts of learning.
• Advanced communication skills.

In these challenging times Health and Care services need to be developed to meet growing demands but with decreasing resources. This course explores models, theories and the evidence base to enable you to identify how to lead change within your service. 

Content 

The course covers three main themes: the external context and health policy influencing change; service development and redesign; working with change and leadership. The course explores questions such as: How do you involve service users and other stakeholders in service development? How to identify what to change? How do you prepare for the future? How can you facilitate change through people and process, creating a sense of urgency and commitment? What is leadership and how do you lead? What types of leaders are required in challenging times? How can leadership styles influence team motivation and outcomes?

The course is suitable for qualified health care professionals who are involved with interpretation and reporting of radiographic images. It is a compulsory course in the Image Interpretation pathway where it must be taken with the Principles of Clinical Radiographic Reporting and the Musculoskeletal Image Interpretation modules to obtain a reporting qualification This module is designed for radiographers to develop a comprehensive, experiential knowledge-based framework in plain radiograph musculoskeletal examinations. There will be emphasis on relating theory to practice in the clinical setting to contribute to patient diagnosis and management. It further develops communication skills to assist in the communication of findings or further investigations clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. There is further development of knowledge gained in the co-requisite modules within the image interpretation pathway. This is facilitated by monitoring, reflection, and self-audit and through a range of blended learning activities. The student is expected to research and undertake activities within the clinical environment to supplement their radiographic knowledge.

This module covers the core skills to equip students with the knowledge and attributes for the interpretation of radiographic images. Students will be encouraged to apply the principles to manage and independently report complex caseloads autonomously and within their scope of practice.

Current and emerging standards relating to the role of the reporting radiographer will be discussed. The content will typically include pattern recognition, report structure to provide interpretive and actionable reports for musculoskeletal plain film imaging. Professional responsibilities such as reflection, engagement with quality assurance procedures and engagement within research and education to develop into an advanced practitioner will be discussed. Understanding of an individual’s scope of practice and recognition of the standards and guidance associated with clinical radiographic reporting are vital aspects that will be discussed to underpin a student’s understanding of the legal issues surrounding this role. Organisational issues such as quality assurance, audit and engaging in inter-professional team working, education and research will also be discussed.

Delivery of the module will embody the Herts learning principles – using a blended and flexible learning approach. You should be available to attend all days as advertised.

This module covers skills in literature searching, information retrieval, and provides the opportunity to use electronic search databases and critical appraisal of evidence. You will be expected to challenge current practice by conducting a literature search and producing critique of a published study. These skills will inform your clinical decision making.

Content: 

Includes the following:

• Understanding of the importance of evidence to inform practice and the impact of the hierarchy of evidence

• Efficient and systematic searching of appropriately identified databases

• Retrieval of research evidence to answer an agreed research question relevant to the student's programme of study

• Development of critical appraisal skills

• Applying the evidence identified to the student's own area of practice

Full time students should have had rlevant and recent work experience

Note: no attendance at the University is required. This is an online module. You will need to have access to a computer from between 1230 and 1430 hrs GMT on each of the above dates to access live online taught sessions by academic staff. These sessions will be recorded for repeat viewing but it is better if you participate in person as there will be opportunity to ask questions.

The module leader is Rebecca Penzer-Hick - r.penzer-hick@herts.ac.uk 

Madeleine Flanagan is Programme Lead for MSc Dermatology - m.flanagan@herts.ac.uk and Kathy Radley is Programme Lead for MSc Skin Lesion Management - k.radley@herts.ac.uk

This module is aimed at all registered and practicing nurses or midwives, and allied health and social care professionals.

This module evaluates and applies established theories and models relevant to decision making in the context of health and social care. These are drawn from a wide variety of disciplines including clinical reasoning, philosophy and ethics, legal frameworks, Service User involvement, Inter-professional and Values Based Decision Making. Throughout, students will develop their critical thinking skills, with an emphasis on applying their learning to decision making in the students’ own health and social care context.

The module will comprise of theoretical lectures, workshops, tutorials and seminar sessions to facilitate the development of the fundamental knowledge, understanding and skills underpinning the roles and responsibilities of coaching and its application within leadership.  

A key learning activity for this module is practical trio work in which students practise their coaching skills and through peer group learning develop a functional, supportive community of coaching practice.

This activity requires the whole student group to participate in a collaborative, facilitative and supportive manner at each study day

 Course content includes: 

The aims of the module are to gain understanding and skills in the legal, professional and ethical issues that inform advanced clinical practice.

You will review and consider:

• national and international drivers informing advanced practice;
• examine risk and governance systems in advanced practice;
• evaluate decision making and communication strategies that inform your practice.

The module requires you to develop both knowledge and skills, with a focus on interpersonal skills, multi-professional relationships and critical awareness of learning for self and others being demonstrated through module activities. 

Students must be able to access supervision in practice over the duration of the module, in order to develop and apply their knowledge, understanding, and skills.

This module is a core element of the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice programme.

The module will normally address:

• Policy related to advanced clinical practice.
• Legal, professional & ethical issues that inform advanced clinical practice.
• Governance processes and risk management strategies.
• Decision making strategies for advanced clinical practice.
• Concepts of learning.
• Advanced communication skills.

The content included in this module will provide students with the tools to develop their skills in advanced health assessment and clinical examination and also help to recognise a range of diagnostic indicators. This content will be delivered using a variety of teaching materials and practical sessions.

The aim of the course is to help you critically evaluate the role that contemporary imaging plays in the diagnosis, staging and management of cancer with specific reference to radiotherapy.

The module is designed to enable you to advance your knowledge and understanding of a range of imaging modalities and their use in the management of cancer. You will study a range of equipment and imaging techniques and reflect on their use with respect to your own clinical practice. Topics typically include: imaging modalities used in cancer staging and diagnosis. Radiotherapy imaging practices in localisation, verification and treatment.

This distance learning module can be studied on its own or as a module on the following educational pathways:

MSc / Pg. Dip / Pg Cert Advanced RT and Oncology Practice ·

MSc Advanced Practice 

Pg Cert in Imaging for Radiotherapy

Content  

This module is suitable for all heath care professionals involved in the care of patients with a cancer diagnosis. Using an inquiry−based approach, students will gather a wide range of evidence and information in order to thoroughly explore the module topics. Through critical evaluation and analysis of the evidence base, they will consolidate their knowledge and understanding of the psychological conditions, methods of assessment and interventions of patients with cancer.