Subject External Examiner to oversee our Post graduate provision in MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner Course at USW.

The appointment will commence this academic year for a tenure period of four years. All External Examiner appointments are subject to approval by the University External Examiner Approval Panel; therefore, you must not have had any formal links with the University of South Wales (or its partner institutions) within the last five years.

The MSc Advanced Clinical Practitoner course has been part of the post graduate portfolio of the Faculty of Life Science and Education at the University of South Wales for many years. It is a three-year programme which attracts nurses (all fields), paramedics, midwives and allied health professionals who want to advance their knowledge and skills in line with Health Education Improvement Wales Enhanced, Advanced and Consultant framework (2023).

Course Overview:

The MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner programme is designed to develop experienced healthcare professionals into advanced practitioners who can lead and deliver high-quality, evidence-based care within their field. Key areas:

• Advanced clinical assessment and differential diagnosis
• Pathophysiology and pharmacology
• Evidence-based practice and research methodologies
• Leadership and service development
• Independent prescribing (optional module for eligible students)

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, simulation-based learning, and clinical practice. Students engage in practical skill development and are supported in applying their learning to their clinical roles.

Assessments:

The External Examiner will be required to review and provide oversight on a range of assessments, including:

• Written assignments – that critically appraise contemporary evidence and clinical practice.
• Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) – Practical assessments that evaluate students’ clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Portfolios –demonstrating reflective practice and professional development.
• Oral presentations – assessing students’ ability to communicate clinical reasoning and service improvement strategies.
• In-class tests and examinations – Multiple-choice and short-answer assessments evaluating students’ knowledge of key clinical topics.
• Research projects – demonstrating understanding of research and how it informs and underpins advanced practice.

Role Requirements: (further details of the module duties will be provided prior to formal application or on request)

• Comment on the content of the subject area particularly with regard to subject benchmarks;
• Examine assessment briefs, exam papers and student work to ensure academic standards and achievements of students are comparable with those in other UK higher education establishments of which the external examiner has experience;
• Provide informative comment and recommendations on whether the assessments measure student achievement rigorously and fairly against the intended outcomes of the individual modules and programme/s and is conducted in line with the relevant policies and regulations;
• Attend assessment dialogue meetings during the year and submit an annual report;
• Engage in communication with the academic and course team.

Please note that External Examiners are required to engage with assessment of both theory and practice elements of the programme where relevant.