Advanced Cardiac Care

Module

Attendance mode: Part-time
Start date(s): June
Duration: 6 months
Location: City Campus

UK students can apply

Overview

With the increased demand for access to critical care beds, the requirement for enhanced care provision has become more common within acute hospital trusts. This has been particularly salient throughout the pandemic of COVID-19 where many patients who would have traditionally required critical care admission were nursed outside of critical care areas, instead being cared for in level 1/enhanced care areas.

Local Trusts have recognised that there is a requirement for these patients to be cared for in not only an appropriately equipped clinical area but also by appropriately knowledgeable and skilled healthcare professionals. There have therefore been multiple requests for a module which meets these requirements from a cardiac care perspective, in recognition that this is not available elsewhere in the region.

Recognising the vulnerability of the deteriorating patient in acute care settings, the Critical Care National Network of Nurse leaders and National Outreach Forum have developed a set of competencies for practitioners who care for level one/enhanced care patients. This module seeks to provide practitioners with adequate knowledge and skills pertinent to the cardiac section of these competencies. It is intended to run alongside the ‘Advanced Respiratory Care’ module to form the Postgraduate Certificate in Enhanced Clinical Practice though can be undertaken as a single, standalone module.

This module is subject to having a viable number of students to run.

Application deadlines

June 2025 entry

application deadline: 30 May 2025

June 2026 entry

application deadline: 30 May 2026

When I studied Advanced Cardiac Care and Advanced Respiratory Practice, I really enjoyed the courses. All the professors are very knowledgeable and easy to approach which helped me to enjoy my study times and keep moving forward.

Pilantarat, Advanced Cardiac Care and Advanced Respiratory Practice student

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee

These fees are for entry during the 2026-2027 academic year (September 2026 - August 2027).

10 credits: £642
20 credits: £1284
30 credits: £1926
40 credits: £2568
Dissertation: £2782

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

Health Education England may fund some health courses/modules at the University of Bradford for healthcare staff providing NHS services working within West Yorkshire and Harrogate, against organisational training priorities identified through the organisations training needs analysis.

You are therefore advised to contact the SSPRD Signatory within your organisation regarding their organisational training priorities.

See our fees and financial support section.

Postgraduate Master's Loan

If you live in England you may be able to apply for a special Government-funded Master's Loan to help pay your tuition fees and living costs. You don't have to pay the loan back until you're earning a certain amount of money.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Entry requirements

Registered Nurse or Allied Health Professional
Relevant postgraduate experience/access to relevant clinical area, including coronary care units, high observation areas, or critical care units.

Your learning journey

This module is provided as part of an interdisciplinary Framework within the Faculty of Health Studies. The Framework enables students to create an individualised programme of study that will meet either their needs and/or their employers’ needs for a changing diverse workforce within a modern organisation.

Module content comprises of:

Anatomy & Physiology of the Cardiovascular System

Understanding ‘usual’ anatomy and physiology will help students to understand how and why patients experience altered physiology when things go wrong for them and their health. This learning will be consolidated with simulated clinical learning.

Pathophysiology

Commonly observed cardiac conditions which result in a requirement for enhanced care will be covered. These include shock, acute coronary syndrome, hypotension, hypertension and pulmonary oedema. In addition to pathophysiology, management plans will also be discussed and implemented through simulated clinical learning.

Detecting Cardiac Abnormality

This day will cover 12 and 3-lead ECG interpretation in addition to cardiac biochemistry. This learning will be consolidated with simulated clinical learning.

Management of Blood Pressure

Detail will be provided on the determinants of blood pressure, management of fluid status, and caring for central venous access devices. This learning will be consolidated with simulated clinical learning.

Pharmacology and recognition of life-threatening conditions

Pharmacology of commonly used medications in cardiac care will be provided in detail to facilitate safe and effective practice in enhanced care areas. Additionally, this day will include a patient experience session on cardiac rehabilitation and simulated clinical practice related to recognising and responding to life-threatening emergencies.

Career prospects

This module can be undertaken alone as a standalone module or with another Level 7 module such as Advanced Respiratory Care to form a postgraduate certificate in Enhanced Clinical Practice. The module is aligned with the national competency framework for practitioners working in enhanced care areas and completion of the module facilitates the attainment of these competencies. A qualification in this area is highly regarded by employers and will support career progression in relevant enhanced care fields.

Career opportunities

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the careers section.

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.