Access to Allied Health Professions

Attendance/Duration

Overview

If you would like to work in a hospital or in the community supporting an Allied Health Professional such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or podiatrist this could be the course for you. Allied Health Support Workers are highly valued members of teams that assess, diagnose and treat people of all ages to enhance their health, wellbeing and quality of life.  Team members will be kind, caring and non-judgemental. They will have good listening and communication skills, and they are sensitive to the needs of others

Entry requirements

• 5 National 5s at C or above 
• Or life experience in a similar role and the ability to perform at SCQF level 6 
• Applicants whose first language is not English should have a minimum SQA ESOL Higher or equivalent.  
• You should be aware that you will be asked to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and be occupationally fit for practice.  

Selection 

• A personal statement in which you should explain your motivation for studying this course and describe the skills, qualities, and life experiences you would bring to the course.  
• An individual or group interview. 
• Suitable references on request 

Course content

You will have the opportunity to be involved in a number of informative and interactive workshops during the course some facilitated by our NHS partners.  

Learning Topics include:

• Working in the Health Sector 
• Improving Health and Wellbeing 
• Safe Practice in Care 
• Human Body 
• Person Centred Care 

 A short observational placement with the NHS will be provided for those with a satisfactory PVG check. 

Careers and Further Study

On successful completion of the course, you may be able to

• Find employment in the NHS or social care sector – interviews for AHP support roles are guaranteed as a graduate of this course. 
• HNC Healthcare Practice 
• HNC Social services
• HNC Counselling. 

Skills

Practical care skills 

Communications skills 

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills 

Team and Project work skills 

Academic skills 

Employer and Industry Links

Allied Health Professions in Scotland 

Occupational Therapy Support Worker 

Dietetic Support Worker 

Physiotherapy Support Worker 

Podiatry Support Worker 

Speech and Language Therapy Support Worker 

Testimonial

Sarah-Ann Ross – student on HNC healthcare practice: 

"It is brilliant. I studied the AHP (Allied Health Professional) course last year and the lecturers were fantastic, knowledgeable I learnt so much. I transitioned as a continuing student on the HNC in Health Care Practice. The transition into this new course was a smooth and simple process. I would highly recommend. As a mature student who hadn’t been in education for a number of years, I can not speak highly enough of the courses and the experiences that come with it. I have made friends for life and they are people I can depend on to help me through this year."

Articulation Routes

Successful students may progress onto HNC Healthcare Practice, HNC Social services or HNC Counselling.