First Contact Practitioner (Musculoskeletal or Paramedic)

Study level: CPD/Short courses
A patient lies on a treatment bed, large inflatable ball beside them and someone standing next to them

The First Contact Practitioner (Paramedic or Musculoskeletal pathway) modules and portfolio is aimed at qualified, experienced practitioners working in primary care.

Course code

HLST199

Location

In the workplace
100% online study

Study mode

Part-time

Duration

1 year part-time

Fees

Request fee information

Start date

September 2024
May 2025
September 2025
January 2026

Course overview

The modules will provide a coherent programme of study relevant to current primary care paramedic or musculoskeletal practice. Learners will be supported through the programme either through taught modules or through a supportive portfolio to meet the relevant roadmap requirements.

  • Clinically focused course designed to equip you with high-level critical, evaluative and clinical skills.
  • Paramedic pathway: approved by Health Education England (HEE), meeting the requirements of Stages 1 and 2 of the FCP (Paramedic) Roadmap to Practice (HEE, 2021).
  • Musculoskeletal pathway: approved by Health Education England as fulfilling stages 1 and 2 of the FCP Roadmap to Practice (HEE, 2021)
  • Integrated learning: taught modules and supervised practice2,5 (minimum of 75 hours)

Why you should study this course

The modules aim to:

  • equip practitioners with enhanced clinical knowledge and skills, with a focus on critical reasoning and decision-making to promote health and high-quality care
  • promote critical evaluation of treatment options and referral pathways, including cross-professional and social prescribing options
  • develop clinical leaders with the capacity to influence local service delivery, foster evidence-informed practice, lead clinical teams and contribute to the education of the local healthcare workforce
  • offer multi-disciplinary collaboration in the form of cross-professional teaching.

The programme has been commissioned by Health Education England as a taught route to First Contact Practitioner recognition.

Course detail

The programme can be completed either through studying taught modules and undertaking supervised practice or through the submission of a clinical evidence portfolio and supervised practice2,5.

An individual Learning Needs Analysis will determine the most appropriate option for you.

Both routes are consistent with Stages 1 and 2 of the First Contact Practitioner Roadmap.

A bespoke plan will be devised for you, based on your existing Knowledge, Skills and Attributes (KSAs).

Modules

The requirement to study each of these modules will be determined by and dependent upon your existing KSAs as identified by your individual Learning Needs Analysis.

Musculoskeletal pathway

  • Musculoskeletal Management for Advanced Practice (MMAP) - 20 credits
    This clinically focused module is designed to build on and further develop your existing knowledge, skills and clinical experience ready for advanced practice roles where the focus is on the provision of high-quality care in the diagnosis and management of individuals with MSK disorders and on MSK health promotion. You will specifically focus on developing the breadth and depth of assessment skills necessary to confidently and competently screen and assess individuals presenting with MSK disorders and to place them on an appropriate care pathway. The module aims to enable you to become a practitioner who is an evidence-informed critical thinker, complex problem solver and effective decision maker in all areas of your clinical practice. Specialist guest lecturers (subject to availability) are involved in the module delivery providing the opportunities for you to apply new theoretical knowledge to practice and further assisting the development of advanced practical skills.
    Compulsory
  • Advanced Physiotherapy Practice (MSK) - 20 credits
    This module provides the education, knowledge, skills and competencies you will need to help enable you to develop the level of practice required as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner (APP) to work safely, effectively and legally within your scope of practice. In the module you will explore the clinical, educational and leadership pillars of advanced clinical practice. Diagnostics (x-rays, MRI scans and blood tests), systems screening, pharmacology, outcome measures, role governance, clinical audit and change management will all be explored through case scenarios, presentations, case reports and interactive seminars allowing you to develop the principles and practice and to apply these to your own specialist clinical setting.
    Compulsory
  • Clinical Practice for First Contact Practitioners - 0 credits
    You will have completed Stage 1 on the FCP Roadmap. You will undertake this module at your place of work in primary care. You will have identified a clinical supervisor who will oversee your supervised practice2,5. An academic advisor will work collaboratively with you and your clinical supervisor with a mid-point tutorial.
    Successful completion of this module will rely on the learner achieving the standards set out by the Roadmap. This includes completion of a minimum of 75 hours of supervised primary care practice, demonstrated via a practice assessment to evidence aligning to Stage 2 of the profession-specific FCP Roadmap.
    Compulsory

Paramedic pathway

  • Diagnostics and Clinical Management for First Contact Practitioners (Paramedic) - 20 credits
    This module aims to enable you to review and develop your autonomous role in the delivery of clinical management and care to individual patients and patient groups to the standards outlined in the FCP Roadmap.
    The emphasis will be on critical decision-making in enhanced practice. This includes the development of the ability to identify necessary and appropriate investigations, structured clinical history-taking leading to diagnosis, and clinical case management. The module is designed for learners working autonomously in primary care with patient-facing roles. You are expected to integrate new knowledge with existing experiences to enhance your assessment, diagnostic and clinical management skills.
    The module content and assessment are mapped against the FCP Roadmap (Paramedic) Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes (KSA) capabilities.
    Compulsory
  • Primary Care for First Contact Practitioners (Paramedic) - 20 credits
    This module aims to introduce you to primary care practice as you develop your autonomous role in the delivery of clinical management and care to individual patients and patient groups to the standards outlined in the FCP Roadmap.
    The emphasis is on:
    • critical analysis of decision-making
    • utilisation of best evidence and research in practice
    • an enhanced understanding of the role of prescribing
    • social prescribing
    • development of confidence in case and time management and a critical evaluation of personal resilience
    • bias and awareness of its impact on patient care.

The module content and assessment are mapped against the FCP Roadmap (Paramedic) Knowledge, Skill and Attributes (KSA) capabilities.
Compulsory

  • Clinical Practice for First Contact Practitioners - 0 credits
    You will have completed Stage 1 on the FCP Roadmap. You will undertake this module at your place of work in primary care. You will have identified a clinical supervisor who will oversee your supervised practice2,5. An academic advisor will work collaboratively with you and your clinical supervisor with a mid-point tutorial.
    Successful completion of this module will rely on the learner achieving the standards set out by the Roadmap. This includes completion of a minimum of 75 hours of supervised primary care practice, demonstrated via a practice assessment to evidence aligning to Stage 2 of the profession-specific FCP Roadmap.
    Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Taught Route:

A range of approaches will be taken including:

  • online lectures
  • problem-based learning activities
  • online seminars
  • self-guided activities.

All theoretical content will be delivered online by asynchronous and synchronous methods using our virtual learning platform which is currently Aula. Taught content will align with Stage 1 and 2 of the FCP Roadmap and lead into the supervised practice module.

Portfolio Route:

With the support of your primary care clinical supervisor and academic advisor, you will independently build a portfolio containing triangulated evidence, cross-referenced against the domains of the Knowledge, Skills and Attributes (KSAs) of the FCP Roadmap.

Teaching Contact Hours

Taught Route:

Both the Diagnostics and Clinical Management and the Primary Care for First Contact Practitioners modules comprise the following:

On average, teaching contact hours are likely to be around 30 hours per module, made up of online seminars and tutorials. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake self-directed study of approximately 170 hours per module.

The Clinical Practice module comprises around 5 teaching contact hours, made up of online seminars and tutorials. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake self-directed study of approximately 20 hours, as well as a minimum of 75 hours in a supervised practice placement.

The online seminars will take the form of synchronous and asynchronous teaching/group work. Pre-learning material will be released prior to seminar sessions, which will give you the opportunity to present and discuss pre-prepared material and to offer and receive constructive feedback to/from your peers.

Portfolio Route:

Over the course of a 12-month period, with the support of your primary care clinical supervisor and academic advisor, you will independently build a portfolio containing triangulated evidence, cross-referenced against the domains of the Knowledge, Skills and Attributes (KSAs) of the FCP Roadmap .

Assessment

Taught Route:

Assessment may comprise:

  • reflective writing
  • multiple-choice examinations
  • case reports
  • essays.

Preparation for varied means of assessment will aid the development of critical thinking skills to support your transition into enhanced clinical practice and postgraduate study.

Portfolio Route:

You will independently build a portfolio containing triangulated evidence, cross-referenced against the domains of the Knowledge, Skills and Attributes (KSAs) of the FCP Roadmap and completion of a minimum of 75 hours of supervised practice. The completed portfolio will be reviewed and assessed by your academic advisor.

All assessment approaches are relevant to clinical practice and acknowledge and support different learning styles and the range of skills required in the workplace. The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor learner progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Facilities

As learners on an online programme, there is no expectation of attendance on campus. You will, however, have access to all Coventry campus facilities such as the Lanchester Library and The Hub. We are also pleased to offer facilities at the Vauxhall Library (Hudson building, London) - https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/hud.

Subject librarian

You will have access to a named librarian with expertise in Literature Searching and Academic Writing specific to your area of study.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and Opportunities

The programme is designed to equip primary care paramedics and physiotherapists with the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary to operate at an enhanced level of clinical practice. You will be able to build upon your achievements on this programme to influence local service delivery, foster evidence-informed practice and contribute to the education of the local healthcare workforce.

Successful completion of this course will enable you to demonstrate your competence as a First Contact Practitioner and register on the directory as a First Contact Practitioner at the Centre for Advancing Practice.

Entry requirements

UK

Musculoskeletal pathway

Applicants must meet the following criteria. You must:

  • be an HCPC-registered physiotherapist with a minimum of five years post graduate experience and at least 3 years of MSK experience
  • have written support from your line manager
  • have access to primary care practice which will allow for the completion of 75 hours’ supervised practice
  • have a nominated clinical supervisor for stage 2 prior to start of the course
  • have completed the E-LfH online modules.

Paramedic pathway

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • be an HCPC-registered paramedic currently working in primary care, with a minimum of five years postgraduate experience
  • have written support from your line manager
  • have access to a primary care practice which will allow for the completion of 75 hours’ supervised practice
  • have a nominated clinical supervisor for stage 2 prior to start of the course
  • have completed the E-LfH online modules.

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact CPD Admissions Team:

Telephone:

+44 02476 79 5989

+44 02476 79 5158 

+44 02476 79 7142

International

Musculoskeletal pathway

Applicants must meet the following criteria. You must:

  • be an HCPC-registered physiotherapist with a minimum of five years post graduate experience and at least 3 years of MSK experience
  • have written support from your line manager
  • have access to primary care practice which will allow for the completion of 75 hours’ supervised practice
  • have a nominated clinical supervisor for stage 2 prior to start of the course
  • have completed the E-LfH online modules.

Paramedic pathway

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • be an HCPC-registered paramedic currently working in primary care, with a minimum of five years postgraduate experience
  • have written support from your line manager
  • have access to a primary care practice which will allow for the completion of 75 hours’ supervised practice
  • have a nominated clinical practice supervisor for stage 2 prior to the start of the course
  • have completed the E-LfH online modules.
English language requirements
  • IELTS: 7.0 overall (with at least 6.5 in each component area)
  • If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
  • For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact CPD Admissions Team:

Telephone:

+44 02476 79 5989

+44 02476 79 5158

+44 02476 79 7142

Fees and funding

If you meet the entry criteria, payment of tuition fees will not be required (subject to availability as places are limited). This course is currently funded by the Education Providers of FCP training | Health Education England (hee.nhs.uk). Applicants should check our website for the latest information regarding fees before applying or accepting offers Should these terms change, we will inform all applicants and students as soon as possible.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

How to apply

Apply for this course
  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

    5Placements

    Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.