What will I learn on this module?
The pre-hospital and critical post-operative care for perioperative practitioners module has been designed to allow a detailed inspection of the stages of perioperative care associated to complex patient encounters. As there are now an increasingly large number of surgical treatments, alongside an ageing population and improved standards of care among co-morbid patient populations complex encounters are to be expected within the perioperative environment.
Throughout this module, you will examine pre-hospital patient assessment and direct patient admission to the perioperative environment, which will include interventional environments such as cardiology for example. By understanding pre-hospital assessments and interventions to stabilise patients for transfer, perioperative practitioners can be more effective for these complex patients. Additionally in this module, you will look to explore the critical care environment, exploring the fundamental differences between perioperative and critical care practice. You will explore complex patient transfer between the operating theatre and critical care unit and introduce the concepts which will allow perioperative practitioners to be more effective when assisting in the care of critical care patients.
Due to an increased critical care staffing requirement, this module will prove to be useful for Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) who will be expected to work in acute care environments including critical care and resuscitation departments. This module looks to fill a professional development requirement exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
How will I learn on this module?
The module provides a range of learning and teaching opportunities including face to face and online lectures, workshops, case-based discussion and e-learning via Blackboard Ultra. Blackboard Ultra is the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) system used within the University and supports learning away from the classroom. It will be available to you throughout the module and your programme of study. Blackboard Ultra provides access to a range of module materials including e-learning packages and materials available for you to consider in advance of, or as part of attending a taught session (flipped classroom). Using Blackboard Ultra will improve your technological skills enabling flexible, enquiry-based learning and opportunity to undertake learning in your own time. This teaching and learning strategy forms part of the University blended learning approach and will allow a degree of flexibility in your educational pursuit.
During this module, there will be the opportunity to engage with the University’s state of the art Clinical Skills Centre to help you develop and refresh your practical skills through case-based discussion activities and seminars. This gives opportunity for hands on activities in a safe and supported environment using the latest simulation equipment, which can be associated to common types of patient monitoring equipment seen within the perioperative and critical care environments. You will be encouraged to debate and discuss contemporary health and social care context and delivery with lecturers and peers within classroom sessions. You will learn alongside other students through an interactive and engaging classroom environment, facilitated by academic staff. There is opportunity for you to reflect and review your progress on the module with the module team, with peers, and with a Module Leader (ML).
How will I be supported academically on this module?
A Module Leader (ML) with a background in perioperative practice will be available to you. You will have “one to one” or group tutorial support for your academic assessment. Your ML will be available to review and explore your progress, having both an academic and student welfare role. Your ML can support your academic learning journey referring you to additional services if needed.
There are comprehensive Skills Plus online learning materials available online within the library that provide you with a range of information about academic study. Peer support is available from your student group and there are opportunities for discussion and sharing learning experiences with your peers in the classroom and using Blackboard Ultra. Blackboard Ultra will support your leaning away from the classroom and it will be available to you throughout the programme. It will contain a number of resources such as eLearning packages and presentations to support your learning and development on the module giving you quick access to module information so you can stay updated. The opportunity to draw on others i.e., peer experiences, presents a positive learning opportunity for students. There are a range of central Student Support and Wellbeing Services “Student Central” operating from Northumbria University Library is on the ground floor at Coach Lane Campus (East). Student Central operating from City Campus (West) is also located in the library on the ground floor. This is available to support you around university academic processes for example, registering a change of circumstances, counselling and mental health support or disability and dyslexia support. The library is open outside of formal scheduled teaching hours and there are student hub areas with access to technology available at Coach Lane and City Campus. Your clinical practice areas may also have active library facilities that you can use.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
Identify assessments appropriate to complex perioperative patient needs, exploring the implications of ambiguous information or data
Identify the key concepts and evaluate the rationale for the use of a range of assessment methods and investigations linked to complex perioperative patient needs
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
Critically evaluate the significance of interventions used in the care of perioperative patients, identifying contemporary guidelines and evidence
Analyse the principles of acute and critical care, linked to continuous assessment and intervention, making decisions on complex case examples
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
Critically appraise your personal and professional responsibilities when caring for complex perioperative and critical care patients
How will I be assessed?
Formative: The formative assessment consists of Practice Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Short Answer Questions (SAQ) designed to inform the summative assessment, feedback will be provided during seminar activity.
Summative: The summative assessment for this module consists of a 2-hour long invigilated Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) and Short Answer Question (SAQ) exam paper. This will be based upon a number of case studies (MLO 1 – 5) (100% weighting)
Pre-requisite(s)
To undertake this module you must hold a valid current professional registration” (i.e.: NMC / GMC / HCPC)
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
The pre-hospital and critical post-operative care for perioperative practitioners module provides an opportunity for perioperative practitioners to assess and develop their own knowledge of patient assessment and complex clinical monitoring and intervention. By engaging with research active educators and subject specialists in perioperative, acute and critical care and pre-hospital care, students will be able to discuss, debate and be signposted to a range of educational and technology enhanced resources.
Through discussion of topics such as airway, neurological and cardiovascular assessment, linked to pre-hospital intervention and critical care topics such as airway techniques and adjuncts, mechanical ventilation, ventilator modes and settings, arterial blood gas analysis and cardiovascular support drugs and devices, a wide range of complex topics can be touched upon. These topics will assist perioperative practitioners with delivering efficient and effective care in acute and critical environments, and these topics will also help assist the development of perioperative practice.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 1 year Part Time
Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025 or January 2026
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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