Advanced level practice

Advancing a journey in sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing involves balancing several elements.

This includes building on existing knowledge, recognising transferable skills and experience, exploring formal learning opportunities and using reflective practice to support growth. It also requires genuine passion and enthusiasm for the subject.

There are different models for advanced practice across the UK:

• The Nursing and Midwifery Council has published principles to support clarity and consistency across the UK. The principles make it clear that advanced practice refers to a level of practice rather than a title, role or specialism.
• Read the RCN’s advanced level practice standards to support best practice.
• The RCN Professional Development Framework - Advanced Level Nursing publication identifies the standards required to reach advanced level or practice across the four pillars of Clinical Practice, Leadership and Management, Education and Research.

What qualifications will you need?

• A relevant degree in sexual health—speak to your local university, programme lead or manager for details.
• Accredited modules and programmes—universities across the UK offer a wide range of recognised courses in sexual and reproductive health.
• Support for CPD requirements—local universities and education leads can advise on funding options and time to study.

• Contraception – see above (this will link back to the content in the box marked Specialist Practice and Services)
• Cervical screening – see above (this will link back to the content in the box marked Specialist Practice and Services)
• Working at an enhanced level may now include training for cervical screening mentorship and assessment- may need to check local pathways
• Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) & HIV
  
  • Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) Integrated Sexual Health and HIV Specialist Training Curriculum 
  • STI Foundation Theory Course 
  • BASHH STI/HIV eLearning hosted on NHS
  • Dip GUM 
• Menopause
  • British Menopause Society: BMS Principles and Practice of Menopause Care 
  • CoSRH: Menopause Care Professional Certificate (MCPC) 
• Independent and supplementary medical prescribing/multi professional prescribing. Contact the local university and programme leads for details.
• Experience
• Understanding Reflective practice and becoming a trainer
• CoSRH Trainer.

• Contraception – see above (this will link back to the content in the box marked Specialist Practice and Services)
  
• Cervical screening – see above (this will link back to the content in the box marked Specialist Practice and Services)
• Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) & HIV
  
  • DSTIF(STI): STI Foundation Advanced Competency leads to a Diploma of the STI Foundation in Sexually Transmitted Infections  
  • DSTIF(HIV): HIV - STI Foundation NHIVNA Advanced leads to a Diploma of the STI Foundation in HIV
  • STI Foundation NHIVNA Advanced: For advanced level nurses working in HIV
    
  • STI Foundation Theory Course  
  • BASHH STI/HIV eLearning hosted on NHS eLearning for Healthcare 
  • BASHH STI-HIV Theory Modules 
  • Dip GUM
• Independent and supplementary medical prescribing/multi professional prescribing. Contact the local university and programme leads for details.
• Experience
• Understanding Reflective practice and trainer
• CoSRH Trainer.