The course consists of:
1. a five day intensive Theoretical Week held at a venue in Manchester
2. a six month Supervisory Period conducted at the student’s normal place or work or any other location(s) that is/are convenient for the student and their supervisor(s)
3. an examination conducted at the student’s normal place of work or any other location that is convenient for the student and their supervisor/invigilator
This structure enables students to demonstrate that they can apply the knowledge they acquire during this dysphagia training course ensuring that they are competent to practise.
Course Aims
1. To enable the clinician to assess, diagnose and manage dysphagic individuals independently.
2. To give an understanding of the normal swallow and its development.
3. To present an overview of the assessment of dysphagia in different client groups.
4. To give an introduction to videofluoroscopy.
5. To give an overview of the remediation of dysphagia.
6. To consider a range of formal and informal treatment strategies for dysphagic individuals.
7. To discuss a range of management issues.
8. To consider the role of other professionals in the management of dysphagia.
9. To consider psychosocial aspects of management.
10. To discuss ethical and legal issues relating to dysphagia policies and practice.
11. To brief participants on the practical component, assessments and examinations.
Pre-course Qualifications
1. The applicant should be a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, Nurse or other Healthcare Professional.
2. The applicant should have some basic knowledge, prior experience, or be working with appropriate client groups (e.g. adults, paediatric or ALD) with dysphagia.
3. The applicant should identify a suitably qualified supervisor (or supervisors) for the Supervisory Period of the course. Applicants must arrange this themselves. We are unable to provide supervision or assist applicants in securing a supervisor. It is possible to apply for a place on the course without first identifying a supervisor, but it won’t be possible to complete the Supervisory Period of the course without a supervisor. Please note that the supervisor must invigilate (or appoint an invigilator) on the Examination Day.
4. The applicant MUST provide the information we require to issue our invoice as requested on the application form.
If you are unable to meet these criteria, please contact us to discuss your situation before applying.
Assessment
Following attendance at the Theoretical Week, students are required to:
1. Compile a Case Study of between 3,000 to 5,000 words pertaining to their case load by the Examination Day.
2. Compile a Log of Hours by the Examination Day.
3. Undertake a written examination on the Examination Day.
The supervisor(s) must submit a Supervisor’s Report on the Examination Day.
Award
Students meeting ALL the following criteria (within 2 years of attending the Theoretical Week) will be awarded a Certificate of Completion of the Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course:
1. Attendance at the Theoretical Week
2. Submission of a Case Study of an acceptable standard
3. Submission of an adequate Log of Hours
4. Supervisor’s endorsement
5. Passing the written examination
Students who attend all 5 days of the Theoretical Week but do not meet the other criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance of the Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course on request.
Theoretical Week
The Theoretical Week aims to deliver the theoretical component underpinning the Specialist Dysphagia Practitioner level identified by the Interprofessional Dysphagia Framework.
The Theoretical Week comprises five full consecutive days of interactive lectures, video presentations, practical workshops and facilitated discussion groups conducted by experienced dysphagia therapists and expert external speakers. It is held at a venue in Manchester.
Click here for a more information on the Theoretical Week including a timetable.
Supervisory Period
Following attendance at the Theoretical Week, students require continued exposure and experience to clinical scenarios in the six month Supervisory Period in order to develop clinical competencies in their specific client group(s) to enable them to function at this level.
Students must identify an experienced dysphagia practitioner as their supervisor. Students may change supervisors during the Supervisory Period and may have more than one supervisor.
The supervisor(s) should:
1. Have dysphagia as a recognised part of their caseload.
2. Have attended dysphagia training courses or acquired specialist expertise over time.
3. Normally maintain regular contact with a dysphagia caseload.
4. Be a registered member of a professional body or have appropriate insurance.
We are unable to provide supervision or assist applicants in securing a supervisor.
The Supervisory Period is conducted at the student’s normal place of work or any other location(s) that is/are convenient for the student and their supervisor(s). This does not have to be in the UK.
The supervisor should be contactable to answer the student’s questions either by telephone or in person following the patient contact in order to answer questions, discuss the case, etc. Contact with the supervisor can be this remote. However, personal contact is recommended. The amount of personal contact varies in each scenario in order to meet the demands of the supervisor and the needs of the student. There needs to be sufficient contact so that the student feels confident. Typically the student would observe the supervisor initially and then the supervisor would observe the student in order for the supervisor to be able to sign off clinical competence/autonomy at the end of the Supervisory Period.
A competencies framework should be used as a reflective tool. The Interprofessional Dysphagia Framework or any locally devised in-house competencies can be used. It is the responsibility of the supervisor(s) to ensure all competencies are met.
During the Supervisory Period, students must compile a Log of Hours and a Case Study. At the end of the Supervisory Period, a supervisor must submit a Supervisor’s Report.
Examination Day
The Examination Day is held six months after the Theoretical Week and consists of a two hour examination paper.
Students take the examination at their normal place of work, or other suitable venue, (which does not have to be in the UK) under the supervision of an invigilator such as their supervisor (or someone appointed by their supervisor).
Students choose which client group they wish to be examined on (adult, paediatric or adult with learning disabilities).
Students should not arrange holidays to coincide with the date of the Examination Day. In exceptional circumstances, students can request to sit their exams on one of the other Examination Days shown on our Dates page.
Please see Exam Day Procedure for more information on the Examination Day.
External Examiner
A recognised dysphagia expert will be appointed External Examiner in order to regulate the course and verify and maintain marking standards. The External Examiner will review a cross-section of submitted Case Studies and exam papers.
Cancellation
Click to see our cancellation policy.
FAQs
For more information on this dysphagia training course, see Frequently Asked Questions.
Apply
Click here to apply for a place on the Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course.