Q: Do you intend to deliver the course remotely during COVID-19?
A: We have considered delivering the course remotely but for various reasons have decided this would not be appropriate, not least because course attendees value the personal interaction with the tutors. If a course has to be postponed, anyone booked on the course who is unable to attend the alternative dates will receive a full refund. We have been able to run the course throughout the pandemic with reduced places to facilitate social distancing.
Q: Why does this dysphagia training cover adults, paediatrics and adults with learning disabilities (ALD) when therapists tend to specialize in just one of these client groups? Shouldn’t there be three different dysphagia training courses?
A: The Theoretical Week of the course covers all three client groups (paediatric, adult and adult with learning disabilities ALD) because much of the core knowledge is common to all three client groups. But after the Theoretical Week, students spend the 6 month Supervisory Period working with the client group (or groups) of their choice. Then, at the end of the 6 month Supervisory Period, students choose which client group they wish to be examined on as there are separate exams for each client group. So, someone who wants to specialize in paediatric dysphagia, for example, can compile their Log of Hours on a paediatric caseload only and submit a paediatric case study and sit the paediatric exams. So, although this dysphagia training course itself isn’t specific to any one client group, students can choose to make it specific to their chosen field. Each course has some students who specialize in paediatrics, some who specialize in adults and some who specialize in adult with learning disabilities (ALD). There is no need to run separate dysphagia training for each client group.
Q: I have recently completed adult post basic dysphagia training. Could I attend the course solely for a paediatric caseload?
A: The Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course is not specific to any one client group. It is designed to teach core transferable skills across the client groups. All students attend the same Theoretical Week and then choose which client group they wish to be examined on and which client group to base their case study on. So you could choose to be examined on paediatrics and submit a paediatric case study but your certificate will not specify a client group.
Q: I work with an adult and a paediatric dysphagia caseload. If I do the exam and case study based on an adult case, will the qualification still be applicable for my paediatric caseload or will I need to do separate paediatric dysphagia training for my paediatric caseload?
A: On the successful completion of the course, you will be qualified in both your caseloads, irrespective of which caseload you choose to be examined on.
Q: Do the log of hours, exam and case study have to cover one area only (e.g. Paediatric or Adult with Learning Disabilities)? Could my log of hours be a mixture from my ALD and paediatric caseload?
A: Yes, your log of hours can be a mixture of different caseloads. Furthermore, your Case Study and the exam you choose to sit on the Examination Day can be in different caseloads.
Q: Does this dysphagia training give competency for working with paediatrics under 12 months?
A: The Theoretical Week covers normal feeding development from pre-term to adult feeding but does not cover any specialist knowledge relating to neonates. In terms of identifying competences I would advocate this should be decided with your supervisor related to your current dysphagia caseload and level of supervision you receive. I would advocate the skill set for managing under 1 year is at a specialist level and requires further competences following on from the post basic level of training. The Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course gives you a good knowledge base to build further skills upon.
Q: Can you supervise me or arrange a supervisor for me?
A: We are unable to provide supervision or arrange a supervisor for you. You must arrange this yourself.
Q: I am not currently in post. How can I get clinical experience for the Log of Hours and Case Study?
A: We have had students in the past who weren’t employed when they attended the Theoretical Week. Often they attend this dysphagia training to improve their employment prospects. They tend to complete their Supervisory Period by working on a voluntary basis. Is there a local SLT department that would be willing to let you gain experience in this way? If you are unable to complete your Log of Hours and Case Study within 6 months, you can apply for an extension.
Q: How often is it recommended that you have supervision with your supervisor? And what does access to a supervisor mean?
A: Acces to a supervisor means that the supervisor is accessible, i.e. contactable to answer your questions either by telephone or can be accessed in person following the patient contact in order to answer your questions, discuss the case, etc. Contact with your 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 candidate. There needs to be sufficient contact so that the candidate feels confident. Typically the candidate would observe the supervisor initially and then the supervisor would observe the candidate in order for the supervisor to be able to sign off clinical competence/autonomy at the end of the Supervisory Period.
Q: I have attended the Theoretical Week of your dysphagia training but have not yet had my Examination Day. Is it OK to change my Supervisor at this stage?
A: Yes it is fine to change Supervisors. Your original Supervisor should sign off the hours, etc that you have already done and your new Supervisor should sign off what you will do in your new post.
Q: Will I be qualified to supervise after completion of your dysphagia training?
A: If you have successfully completed the Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course and have an active dysphagia caseload, then you are qualified to supervise someone else.
Q: I am booked on your next dysphagia training course but haven’t attended the Theoretical Week yet. Can I start to accumulate my Log of Hours now, before attending the Theoretical Week?
A: The Log of Hours is to consolidate, and demonstrate an ability to apply, the knowledge acquired during the Theoretical Week. Therefore hours must be accumulated after attending the Theoretical Week.
Q: Should I attend “basic” dysphagia training prior to applying for your “post basic” dysphagia training?
A: The “post basic” title was originally devised by RCSLT. Basic dysphagia training should have been delivered in your SLT undergraduate degree.
Q: Do you run an advanced dysphagia course?
A: We do not run an advanced dysphagia course.
Q: What pre-course reading is required?
A: There is no pre-course reading required.
Q: What is the dress code for the Theoretical Week?
A: There is no dress code – wear whatever you will feel comfortable in.
Q: I am dyslexic and I have had extra time and a scribe for all my university exams. Am I entitled to the same for your exam?
A: Your supervisor or manager will be responsible for invigilating your exam (or appointing someone to invigilate on their behalf). We are happy for them to allow extra time and/or appoint a scribe if they deem it appropriate to do so.
Q: Could you send me copies of last year’s examination paper?
A: We are unable to provide past examination papers. Click here to see a sample of examination questions.
Q: Can you suggest the names of some hotels within walking distance of the venue?
A: We do not recommend or endorse any hotels. We suggest that you enter the search term “Find a hotel” in an internet search engine and the results should give a list of websites that you can use to locate a hotel near the venue’s postcode. Former student’s have kindly left feedback on accommodation they use on our Accommodation page.
Q: Can you please confirm if VAT is payable by an NHS Trust / I live and work abroad, not in the UK. Do I have to pay the VAT on the course fees?
A: VAT is payable by all attendees, regardless of who is paying their fees, as the course is run privately by the speakers and not by an educational organisation.
See About The Course for more information.
Click here to apply for a place on the Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course.