Master of Advanced Health Care Practice

The course will equip experienced health care practitioners with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges that beset the modern health care system. It will provide them with an academic framework within which to develop a range of advanced problem-solving and decision making skills to achieve best practice health outcomes for patients and clients.

Specialisations

Clinical midwifery

This specialisation is designed to prepare experienced registered (in their country of origin) midwives for senior management, education and professional and specialist leadership roles in a range of midwifery settings. (NOTE: This is the only specialisation currently offered to International Student Visa Holders to study on campus in Australia.)

Critical care

This specialisation is designed for consultants or registrars to develop knowledge across key areas of critical care practice. Core modules will cover essentials of communication, conflict management and leadership, ethics, medico-legal principles, evidence-based medicine, clinical and practice guidelines, systematic reviews, quality improvement, benchmarking, patient safety and risk management. Electives will include clinical research methods, health systems management and leadership and quality improvement. Critical Care skill sets will be offered in extracorporeal support, including ECMO, echocardiography and ultrasound and airway and ventilator management including bronchoscopy.

Primary health care

This specialisation is designed to those working within inter-professional primary health care teams. The specialisation will enable medical practitioners, nurses, allied health professionals and primary health care administrators and managers to gain an understanding of, and skills in, the delivery of contemporary, sophisticated primary health care. Units will provide an understanding the principles of general practice and primary health care, chronic disease management, evidence based prevention and health promotion , education in health care practice and a range of special interest units addressing diagnostics, therapeutics and interprofessional health practice. A research project in an area of interest can also be undertaken.

Occupational therapy

This specialisation is designed for occupational therapists to deepen their knowledge and practice in advancing human occupation, health and wellbeing; to develop knowledge and skills for leading the management, design and delivery of health and community programs; and to undertake a program of study designed to develop advanced occupational therapy practice roles, such as in hand therapy, using adaptive and assistive technology, or addressing the needs of children with disabilities and their families.

Paediatric physiotherapy

This specialisation is designed for physiotherapists with an interest in developing advanced practice roles within the sub-speciality of paediatrics including neonates, infants and those with particular needs.

Radiography/CT radiography

This specialisation is designed for radiographers keen to deepen their knowledge and skills in advanced elements of patient care, evidence based radiography practice, clinical leadership and modality based practice. There will be an emphasis upon image interpretation and patient assessment with two streams available, one in general radiography and the other in CT radiography.

Radiation therapy

This specialisation is designed for radiation therapists keen to deepen their knowledge and skills in preparation to assume advanced practice roles in radiation therapy planning and treatment. Key topic areas include: international and local perspectives on radiation therapy service provision, patient care and the management of radiation induced side effects, radiation therapy imaging and advances in radiation therapy for breast cancer.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1. practice ethically, respectfully and collaboratively within legislative and professional boundaries at advanced levels of practice
2. demonstrate mastery of a discipline specific body of knowledge and a range of research informed skills which supports advanced practice
3. design and justify advanced research informed health care interventions for a range of patients and clients including primary, community and rural health care settings.
4. evaluate the effectiveness of complex health care interventions using quantitative and qualitative research tools
5. apply critical thinking skills to the implementation of appropriate communication strategies both within the workplace and beyond that will influence and support advanced practice
6. demonstrate effective and strategic research, problem-solving, organisational and teamwork skills that reflect advanced practice
7. empower patients, clients and carers to become knowing and willing partners in the health care intervention
8. implement culturally competent clinical practice, leadership, supervision and or management roles with the relevant health care setting
9. initiate new or innovative approaches to the delivery of health care that are research informed
10. effectively implement and critically evaluate technological advancements in health care to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Students who have studied before but have not been granted block credit may be eligible for credit for prior studies.

Special requirements

Students must refer to the information available on the special requirements outlined below. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have the correct documentation.

Police checks

Students must have a current police check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's police checkspolice checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/police-checks.html) webpage.

Working with Children checks

Students must have a current Working with Children check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's Working with Children checksWorking with Children checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/wwc-check.html) webpage.

The course is structured in three parts, Part A. Expanding core discipline skills, Part B. Foundations for advanced health care practice, Part C. Advanced specialist study. All students complete Part B and Part C. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A.

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies, but prefer to do the longer form of the course (Parts A-C), you may elect not to receive the credit.

The specialisation in critical care is only available to students admitted at Entry level 2 and requires the completion of Part B and C.

Part A. Expanding core discipline skills

In this part you will have the opportunity to complete scholarly practical studies that develop and expand your expertise within your area of specialist practice. Students admitted to the course, who have a recognised degree in a cognate discipline of four years duration, two years relevant professional experience and registered to practice in the specialisation are eligible to receive credit for this Part.

Part B. Foundations for advanced health care practice

This study will provide you with the foundations to lead the management, design and delivery of high quality evidence based patient/consumer centred care and/or develop health care programs in a clinical context that impact on patient outcomes. It is inter-professional, reflecting and modelling the collaboration required in practice to deliver health care of the highest quality and ensures a heightened awareness of legal, ethical, inter-professional, cultural, managerial and safety issues in health care practice.

Part C. Advanced specialist study

These units will provide you with specialist professional knowledge and advanced skills in research or advanced professional practice in your chosen specialisation. All specialisations offer the choice of either a research focus or a coursework focus within Part C. The research focus provides a pathway to a higher degree by research.

The course comprises 72 points structured into three parts: Part A. Expanding core discipline skills (24 points), Part B. Foundations for advanced health care practice (12 points) and Part C Advanced specialist study (36 points).

• Students admitted at Entry level 1 complete 72 points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C.
• Students admitted at Entry level 2 complete 48 points, comprising Part B and Part C.

Note: The specialisation in critical care is only available to students admitted at Entry level 2.

Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-m6001.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 12 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Expanding core discipline skills (24 points)

Clinical midwifery

Students complete 24 points from:

• MPH5268 Financial issues in health care management (6 points)
• MPH6004 Health leadership and management (6 points)
• NUR5112 Nursing practice in the Australian healthcare context (AusAid International students)
• NUR5209 Education program development
• NUR5214 Advanced therapeutic interaction in nursing

Occupational therapy/Paediatric physiotherapy

Students complete 24 points from:

• NUR5204 Education in health care practice
• NUR5209 Education program development
• NUR5844 Health promotion and education
• PTY5103 Principles of paediatric physiotherapy* (6 points)
• SRH5000 Health and health care practices for communities (6 points)
• SRH5001 Research methods in health (6 points)
• SRH5003 Designing and conducting health research
• SRH5016 Interprofessional practice in communities (6 points)
• SRH5032 Applied research for health practitioners (6 points)

*Only available to specialists in paediatric physiotherapy.

Primary health care

Students complete:

• MFM5000 Principles of general practice and primary care
• SRH5003 Designing and conducting health research

Radiation therapy

Students complete:

• RTP4101 Professional issues in radiation therapy 1 (6 points)
• RTP4102 Professional issues in radiation therapy 2 (6 points)
• RTP4103 Specialised techniques in radiation therapy (6 points)

and one of:

• SRH5000 Health and health care practices for communities (6 points)
• SRH5001 Research methods in health (6 points)
• SRH5016 Interprofessional practice in communities (6 points)
• SRH5032 Applied research for health practitioners (6 points)

Radiography/CT Radiography

Students complete:

• RAD4500 Multislice CT and evidence based practice (6 points)
• RAD4501 MRI Imaging and evidence based practice (6 points)
• RAD4502 Principles of general radiography image interpretation (6 points)

and one of:

• SRH5000 Health and health care practices for communities (6 points)
• SRH5001 Research methods in health (6 points)
• SRH5016 Interprofessional practice in communities (6 points)
• SRH5032 Applied research for health practitioners (6 points)

Part B. Foundations for advanced health care practice (12 points)

All students complete:

• MAP5003 Essentials of advanced health care practice and research

Part C. Advanced specialist study (36 points)

You may elect to join a. the research stream or b. the coursework stream.

a. Research stream students enrol in the following units but the focus of their work will be on research topics relevant to their specialisation. Students complete either a minor thesis or a research project.

Minor thesis students complete:

• MAP5000 Research in advanced health professional practice
• MAP5001 Preparatory minor thesis
• MAP5002 Minor thesis

Research project students complete:

• MAP5000 Research in advanced health professional practice
• MAP5010 Advanced health practice research project
• SRH5003 Designing and conducting health research or 12 points of electives specific to their specialisation

b. Coursework stream students complete units specific to their specialisation.

Clinical midwifery

Students complete:

• GHS5850 Nursing leadership and management
• MID5005 Advanced midwifery practice
• NUR5204 Education for health care practice

Critical care

Students complete:

• MAP5101 Advanced critical care skills
• one of the following sets of four units:

Clinical research methods

• MPH5040 Introductory epidemiology (6 points)
• MPH5041 Introductory biostatistics (6 points)
• MPH5213 Research methods (6 points)
• MPH5239 Systematic reviews and meta-analysis (6 points) or MPH5236 Clinical trials (6 points)

Health systems management

• ECC5970 Introduction to health economics (6 points)
• MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics (6 points)
• MPH5265 Law for health systems (6 points)
• MPH5268 Financial issues in healthcare management (6 points)

Leadership and quality improvement

• ECC5970 Introduction to health economics (6 points)
• MPH5266 Clinical leadership and management (6 points)
• MPH5267 Principles of healthcare quality improvement (6 points)
• MPH5286 Applying and practicing the principles of patient safety and quality improvement (6 points)

Occupational therapy

Students complete:

• OCC5161 Human occupation and health (6 points)

and 30 points from the following:

• OCC5111 Advanced hand therapy theory, principles, and practice (6 points)
• OCC5121 Advanced adaptive and assistive technology (6 points)
• OCC5131 Advanced assessment of children: Methods, policy, ethics and issues (6 points)
• OCC5141 Occupational therapy for children with a disability and their families (6 points)
• SRH5000 Health and health care practice for communities (6 points)
• SRH5001 Research methods in health (6 points)
• SRH5016 Interprofessional health practice (6 points)
• SRH5032 Applied research for health practitioners (6 points)
• up to 12 points of other relevant health related postgraduate units as approved by the course coordinator

Paediatric physiotherapy

Students complete:

• PTY5105 Advanced paediatric clinical skills and project

and four of the following (24 points):

• OCC5131 Advanced assessment of children: methods, policy, ethics and issues (6 points), or OCC5141 Occupational therapy for young children with a disability and their families (6 points)
• PTY5100 Enhancing skills in paediatric physiotherapy (6 points)
• PTY5101 Advancing skills in paediatric physiotherapy: cerebral palsy (6 points)
• PTY5102 Advancing skills in paediatric physiotherapy: neonates and infants (6 points)
• PTY5104 Advancing skills in paediatric physiotherapy: complex and chronic conditions (6 points)

Primary health care

Students admitted at entry level 1 complete:

• PHC5301 Preventative health and management of chronic disease (6 points)
• PHC5302 Common problems in primary care (6 points)
• PHC5303 Challenging issues in primary care (6 points)
• PHC5304 Primary care across the lifespan (6 points
• elective studies (12 points) from the elective list below

Students admitted at entry level 2 complete a) or b) below:

a) the following units

• MFM5000 Principles of general practice and primary care
• PHC5301 Preventative health and management of chronic disease (6 points)
• PHC5302 Common problems in primary care (6 points)
• PHC5303 Challenging issues in primary care (6 points)
• PHC5304 Primary care across the lifespan (6 points)

b) the following unit:

• MFM5000 Principles of general practice and primary care

plus two units (12 points) from:

• PHC5301 Preventative health and management of chronic disease (6 points)
• PHC5302 Common problems in primary care (6 points)
• PHC5303 Challenging issues in primary care (6 points)
• PHC5304 Primary care across the lifespan (6 points)

plus:

• elective units (12 points) from the list below

Electives

• MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics (6 points)
• NUR5204 Education in health care practice
• NUR5209 Education program development
• NUR5844 Health promotion and education
• SRH5000 Health and health care practices for communities (6 points)
• SRH5003 Designing and conducting health research
• SRH5016 Interprofessional rural health practice (6 points)
• SRH5032 Applied research for health practitioners
• units from Part C for any specialisation for which you have the prerequisites

Radiation therapy

Students complete:

• RTP5101Patient care, assessment and evidence based practice in radiation therapy
• RTP5102 Current issues in radiation therapy service delivery
• RTP5103 Contemporary approaches to radiation therapy of the breast, or RTP5104 Advanced imaging for radiation therapy

Radiography/CT Radiography

Students complete:

• RAD5105 Pathology for advanced radiography and CT practice (6 points)
• RAD5106 Medical imaging data management and health informatics (6 points)
• RAD5107 Hybrid and molecular imaging (6 points)

and one of the following pairs

• RAD5108 Advanced general radiography and clinical decision making 1 (12 points) and RAD5109 Advanced general radiography and clinical decision making 2 (6 points)
• RAD5110 Advanced CT radiography and clinical decision-making 1 (12 points) and RAD5111 Advanced CT radiography and clinical decision-making 2 (6 points)

Students can choose to complete a research stream that will provide a pathway to a higher degree by research.

Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided they have satisfied the requirements indicated for that award during their enrolment in this Masters course:

• Graduate Certificate in Advanced Health Care Practice after successful completion of 24 points of study at Monash with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above.