English Language, Nursing and Healthcare: UK Orientation Course

BBSI in association with Elite Training & Associates Ltd (specialist Healthcare Consultants) offers suitably trained and qualified overseas nurses (outside the European Economic Area) the necessary language and career training to undertake a professional orientation programme leading to employment opportunities within the UK independent healthcare sectors. Our programme of study combines both English language and UK Nursing, Healthcare & Cultural Orientation.

Depending on the English language level of nurses on entry to the course, the study programme is available as either a 27-week or 39-week study option. Our courses are specifically designed to prepare and orientate foreign nursing professionals towards healthcare delivery in the UK, and lead to further opportunities for additional professional training and education in the UK healthcare sector. The training is underpinned by the opportunity to source employment with the UK healthcare sectors. The comprehensive training programmes include components specific to healthcare delivery.

Each course comprises 30 lessons weekly and includes the following core components:

•  English-language development
•  IELTS examination preparation
•  UK Nursing, healthcare and cultural orientation programme 
•  Full professional healthcare consultancy service

BBSI courses in nursing and healthcare are designed for small, sponsored groups of trainees to meet a sponsor´s precise requirements.

The time required by nurses to achieve the necessary English-language level will depend upon an individual’s language level on entry to the programme. Nurses must achieve IELTS 7.0 (Academic) overall to enter UK healthcare institutions and achieve a minimum IELTS 5.5 in each of the 4 IELTS skills categories: speaking, reading, listening and writing. 

BBSI Study Programmes

•  27-Week Study Programme. The 27-week study programme has a minimum English-language entry level of IELTS 6.0 and consists of 2 study phases: Phase 1 comprises 24 weeks of English-language training, IELTS preparation and Medical English; whilst Phase2 comprises a 3-week course in UK nursing, healthcare and cultural orientation.
•  39-Week Study Programme. The 39-week programme has a minimum English-language entry level of IELTS 5.5, and consists of 2 study phases: Phase 1 comprises 36 weeks of English language training, IELTS preparation and medical English; whilst Phase 2 comprises a 3-week phase of specialised training in UK nursing, healthcare and cultural orientation.

Phase 1. English Language Study

•  20 lessons English language
•  6 lessons IELTS Examination Preparation
•  4 lessons Medical English

Phase 2. Specialised Training Phase

The specialised training phase in each course is designed to provide greater insight and increased awareness of the diversity within UK culture and healthcare settings. The training includes the following elements:

•  The UK as a multicultural society and cultural orientation
•  Provision of healthcare in England 
•  Roles and structures within the NHS
•  Quality assurance
•  Legal and ethical issues within the healthcare sector
•  Documentation and record-keeping in practice
•  Introduction to reflective practice
•  Medical and healthcare terminology
•  Working and communicating within a multi disciplinary team 
•  Basic nursing care skills
•  Clinical observations
•  Minimal handling (clinical)
•  Basic life-support training
•  Infection control

Professional Healthcare Consultancy Service

As an integral element of the above training programmes, Elite Training & Associates Ltd, our professional healthcare consultants, will provide the following services:

•  Individual assessment of professional experience to data
•  Professional Curriculum Vitae preparation

In addition, the above services are supported with guidance in the following:

•  Practice requirements for UK registration
•  UK professional registration procedures
•  Completion of employment application forms to potential employers
•  Interview preparation
•  EU Working Time Directives
•  Professional indemnity and representation
•  Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and Codes of Practice
•  Personal professional portfolio development

Course Content Cultural Orientation & Understanding

UK as a multicultural society and cultural orientation
Provision of healthcare in England
Roles and structures within the NHS
Quality assurance, clinical governance and national standards
Legal, ethical and policy within the healthcare sector

Orientation to Employment & Practice Requirements

Practice requirements for UK registration
UK Professional registration procedures
EU Working Time Directives
Professional indemnity and representation
NMC Codes of Practice
Professional Curriculum Vitae preparation

Clinical & Educational Training

Medical and healthcare terminology
Introduction to Reflective Practice
Personal professional portfolio development
Communication skills within the Multi Disciplinary Team
Basic nursing care skills
Infection control and standard precautions
Clinical observations 
Minimal handling (clinical)
Basic life support
Documentation and record keeping in practice
Individual assessment of professional experience to date
Completion of employment application forms to potential employers
Interview preparation and techniques
Interview practical session and feedback
Course work presentations and one-to-one with course tutor

Course Objectives

The course objectives for the entire BBSI training programmes described are to:

•  build confidence & fluency in English language towards IELTS 7.0
•  provide knowledge of relevant medical and healthcare vocabulary
•  provide awareness of current nursing practices within the UK
•  introduce UK legislation, ethics, policy and documentation within healthcare
•  develop understanding of the NHS, structure, funding & culture
•  prepare for further training & employment in UK healthcare institutions
•  provide knowledge to develop and maintain an individual Personal Professional Portfolio

Learning Outcomes

The BBSI UK Nursing & Healthcare Orientation programmes provide a solid foundation for overseas nurses wishing to apply for an Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP) and further career development and professional opportunities. On completion of the course, successful candidates will be able to function and contribute effectively within a healthcare context.  In the specific areas, candidates will have met the assessment criteria and demonstrated relevant and operational levels of linguistic competence as well as an understanding of the knowledge that underlies practical application.