Cardiac Care Level 6

Develop your specialist skills in caring effectively for patients with chronic and acute cardiac disorders. Learn to analyse and interpret arrhythmias and understand the rationale for the management and holistic care needs of patients. Critically discuss different issues which affect the delivery of care to cardiac patients.

Explore and develop the knowledge and skills you need to meet the diverse acute and chronic needs of cardiac patients, their families or carers.

In order to receive care that is effective and of high quality,patients with a cardiac disorder are dependent upon practitioners being skilled in understanding the mechanisms of arrhythmias and 12 lead ECG interpretation and analysis. Our module will focus on the assessment, monitoring, medical and surgical management of cardiac disorders. It will include the patho-physiology for a range of cardiac diseases, disorders and abnormalities; rationale for signs and symptoms and the various treatment strategies.

This module will help you to analyse the most appropriate interventions and treatments for managing your clients’ needs. This will enable you to understand the disease processes, symptoms and interventions that a person may require but allow you to understand why “you are doing what you are doing”. In relating the theory to your practice, you can compare and contrast different perspectives on treatment and management which is imperative for safe and effective clinical practice.

Our module is suitable for nurses working in areas such as coronary care units, cardiac (medical and surgical) wards, investigational units, catheter labs and critical care areas. However it would also be applicable for practitioners working within A&E, and admission assessment units. In addition, paramedics and operating department practitioners (ODPs) may also wish to gain insight into the care and management of cardiac patients.

The achievement of learning outcomes will be assessed at Level 6 by a fine graded viva. The practice assessment will be achieved through the use of clinical competencies that will be assessed in practice by an experienced mentor.

How you’ll learn
You’ll learn both in the classroom (attending lectures, seminars, group work and skills etc) as well as in your own clinical practice area, under the supervision of an experienced practitioner and qualified mentor.

Assessment
You’ll be assessed on your practice competencies, and you’ll undergo a viva assessment which includes the analysis and interpretation of 12 Lead ECG’s and a verbal presentation of the management of a cardiac patient.