Independent Prescribing Programme
This course provides pharmacists with the necessary skills to allow them to independently prescribe.
Award: AdvCert
Level: Short Course, CPD
Delivery: Mixed Mode
Study Mode: Part time
Duration: 6 months
Campus: Preston
Start Date: April and September
Course overview
The course content and learning outcomes are mandated by the pharmacy regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The course is appropriately taught and assessed through a blend of learning styles including nine face-to-face instructional delivery sessions, practice-based activities and a large element of distance learning. Our face-to-face sessions are delivered by practitioners who are experts in their field as well as academic staff who will deliver specialist training. You will be required to undertake the equivalent of 26 days learning in addition to a minimum of 90 hours patient contact overseen by your designated medical practitioner.
You will be assessed by compiling a portfolio of evidence and an OSCE to test your clinical skill competencies. Passing of all required assessments will enable the University to provide the GPhC with successful candidate names so that annotation of the GPhC register can take place. As a result you’ll be then allowed to practise as an independent prescriber.
The course will broadly cover the following main themes:
- Consultation, decision making, assessment and review
- Influences on and psychology of prescribing
- Prescribing in a team context
- Applying knowledge of therapeutics into a prescribing context
- Evidence based practice and clinical governance
- Legal, policy, professional and ethical aspects of prescribing
- Prescribing in the public health context
Learning outcomes and aims
The course prepares pharmacists to practise as Independent Prescribers according to standards as stipulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Entry requirements
- Have a Pharmacy degree and be currently registered as a Pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Be working in, or able to access a practice environment that will enable you to meet and achieve the course learning outcomes
- A minimum level of English language proficiency equal to IELTS 7.0 or equivalent
- Be able to satisfy the Course Leader that you have sufficient expertise and competence in the chosen area of prescribing (through application form and/or informal interview)
- Have a minimum of two years post registration experience
- Be able to identify and nominate a Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP)
- On enrolment, you will be encouraged to identify a work based mentor, who will support and guide your development throughout the course
View the course facilities
This course is based in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences located in the Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences
For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information
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