Medical and Surgical Care
12 Credits (ECTS)
Medical and Surgical Care*
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Module Description
This module will enable participants to gain and/or update their knowledge and skills on the ongoing Medical and Surgical advances since these skills are continuously being applied all throughout hospital settings.
This module will help introduce new concepts in medical and surgical settings. This module focuses on the Maltese legislations related to the sector.
To ensure that the first level nurse is equipped with the knowledge, skills and competences necessary to practice as a competent and professional nurse in a Medical and Surgical Care settings, the candidate nurse is required to do clinical Work Placements within two settings
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must be:
- Be second level nurses in possession of a minimum Level 4 Certificate in Nursing (or comparable as per MQRIC).
OR
- Possess a qualification at MQF Level 4 (one ‘A’ Level or equivalent preferably in science) or if ‘A’ level is not in science subject then a a pass in Biology, Chemistry or Physics at MQF Level 3 (‘O’ Level or equivalent) is required.
Preference will be given to prospective applicants who have a minimum of 1-year work experience in healthcare sector.
Target Audience
- 2nd level nurses who hold an MQF Level 4 certificate in Nursing.
- Candidates who are employed within the healthcare sector and possess an MQF Level 4 Diploma qualification (or equivalent) in healthcare/health science or other relevant and related sectors, examples include but are not limited to: Carers, Medical Assistants, Home Health Aides, Orderlies, Administrators, etc.
- Candidates seeking a career in the Health Care sector.
- This Level 5 Diploma provides an opportunity to candidates to progress in their studies and create a study route for further studies in Higher and Further Education while broadening the spectrum of advancement in own career path.
Career Paths
- The second level nurses in possession of a minimum Level 4 Certificate in Nursing (or comparable as per MQRIC) who successfully complete up to a minimum of the Level 5 Diploma in Health Sciences at 60 ECTS together with a Work Placement of 480 hours carried out at health settings are eligible to apply for first level nurses.
- The main objective of Level 5 Diploma in Health Sciences at 60 ECTS together with a Work Placement of 480 hours carried out at health settings is to convert second level nurses to first level nurses.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Summative Assessment
- Work Placement Clinical Practices
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules
Module Intake Dates
March/ April 2025
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the general anatomy and physiology of the important organs and systems of the human body.
- Be able to educate the prospective patient on procedures and care pre and post operatively in a holistic and ethical approach.
- Be able to have an understanding of the importance of having the right skills for safe and a holistic effective patient’s care, in accordance with the professional ethical practice and legislation in nursing in the Maltese context.
- Outline and describe rationales for nursing interventions.
- Be able to have an understanding of the importance of having the appropriate skills and techniques related to documentation of monitoring of patient assessment and interventions within a legal and ethical framework.
- Analyse and assess new technological advances relating to medical and surgical interventions.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following indicative content:
- Developing a comprehensive understanding of the general anatomy and physiology of the human body.
- Caring for a patient with Respiratory Problems – Pneumonia Asthma, COPD
- Caring for a patient with Cardiac Problems – Mycardial Infarction, Congestive Heart Failure
- Caring of a patient with Gastrointestinal Problems
- Caring for a patient suffering from diabetes Mellitus
- CPR procedures
- Pre and Post operative Care
- Pain Control and Relief
- Legal Documentation
- Principles of clinical practices in a Medical and Surgical setting
- Basic knowledge of legal and ethical considerations and practices in medical and surgical care: Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct for Nurses and Midwives, Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta, January 2020
- Beliefs and Cultural Practices in medical and surgical care
- Introducing an integrated holistic approach to patient/client care in medical and surgical care: physical, psychsocial and spiritual
- Understand basic communication styles, skills and techniques when working with a medical/surgical team towards a common goal
- Identify the different roles and responsibilities of team members.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Be able to have an understanding of the importance of having the appropriate skills for observation, caring and resassurance of surgical patients pre and post operatively using a holistic approach according to the ethical and legal framework of the Maltese Professional Code of Conduct;
- Be able to have an understanding of the importance of having the appropriate skills to assess patients on admission highlighting the need for observation and proper documentation of the present sitaution;
- Understand, relate and follow ward policies and prodecures;
- Plan potential discharge of the patient;
- Be familiar with a trade naming of pharmacological products;
Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities:
- Analyse different approaches to patient’s care in medical and surgical context.
- Evaluate best practices in nursing care in medical and surgical context.
- Recognise the differences in beliefs and cultural practices in medicine and surgery practices.
Module-Specific Communication Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Understand the importance of having different and appropriate communication skills to communicate with specialists and non-specialists.
Module-Specific Learner Skills
- Present own discussion and developments in a logical and organised manner through approaches of critical feedback and self-reflection.
- Engage with peers and/or team members to share and reflect on own development.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.