Overview
This is an innovative multi-professional course accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC) and the Health Professions Council (HPC).
The supporting legislative framework enables practitioners, who meet the entry requirements, to undertake independent and/or supplementary prescribing. On successful completion of the course practitioners will have their prescribing qualification recorded with the appropriate professional regulator.
The course can be accessed as a stand- alone course in its own right, undertaken at level 6 (honours) or at level 7 (masters). It is also an integrated component of longer degree/masters programmes such as the BSc Nurse Practitioner and the MSc Advanced practice.
Students on this course will build on current practice to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies required to be able to prescribe safely, appropriately and cost-effectively as Independent and/or Supplementary Non-Medical Prescribers.
The course is based at the Ipswich waterfront campus at UCS and runs over two semesters, starting in September with the programme normally completed in 6 months. Campus based learning is organised over 26 days and there is also a requirement to complete 12 days of supervised practice working with a named medical supervisor (Doctor). In addition to the timetabled programme you will be expected to engage in related independent study activities.
Content and Modules
Consultation and decision making process in prescribing practice forms the basis of this course. Practitioners will develop the skills to become experts that adhere to a sound knowledge base of drugs, diseases and health problems and will build upon their existing competence and knowledge base in their specialist area of practice. Available resources will be accessed efficiently: information extracted will be subjected to thorough analysis to enable clear treatment decisions to be made based on the best available clinical evidence.
Specifically the aims of the course are to:
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Facilitate nurses, midwives and pharmacists to meet the required regulatory standards in order to act as Independent and/ or Supplementary prescribers.
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Facilitate Radiographers, physiotherapists and other Allied health professionals as and when they are identified by their employers to act as supplementary prescribers.
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Extend opportunities for critical self-evaluation of students existing practice whilst achieving prescribing competencies in the workplace.
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Engage in comprehensive enquiry with specific identified aspects of their prescribing practice.
Criteria for admission to undertake the programme
This is largely set by the professional regulators (NMC/HPC/GPC):
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You must be registered with the appropriate professional body (i.e. NMC/HPC/GPC) (nurses must be first level nurses).
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At least 3 years post registration experience, with at least the last year in the area in which you will be prescribing (2 years for pharmacists)
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There should be an identified service need for non-medical prescribing
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Written support from both your clinical/line manager and trust prescribing lead will be required
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You will need to identify a Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) who meets the DH criteria for the role, to supervise you for the 12 days of practice supervision.
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Competency in practice to take a history and make a diagnosis for the conditions for which you will prescribe.
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A current full enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check (within the last 3 years)
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Previous study at the appropriate level:
1) For undergraduate (degree) level 6 you will need to provide evidence of your ability to study at this level.* (If you have achieved a full diploma (equivalent to 120 credits) you are deemed automatically ready to progress to degree level).
2) To be eligible for this course at postgraduate level 7 (masters) you will need a first degree, or be able to provide evidence of previous level 6 study.
Assessment on this course
There are three central components within the summative assessment:
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Exam: A short answer question paper comprising 20 short answer questions to be taken over 90 minutes and a 30 minute drug calculation paper
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Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
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A portfolio of evidence Integrating Practice and theory, A 2 part practice and theory portfolio of evidence is required demonstrating course learning outcomes have been met. This aspect includes a 6000 word academic assignment.
Further Information
Location of study: Ipswich
Dates of attendance:
September 2013 January 2014
12/09/13 09/01/14
13/09/13 16/01/14
19/09/13 23/01/14
20/09/13 30/01/14
26/09/13
October 2013 February 2014
03/10/13 06/02/14
10/10/13 13/02/14 ASSESSMENT
17/10/13 20/02/14
24/10/13 27/02/14
31/10/13
November 2013 March 2014
07/11/13 06/03/14
14/11/13 13/03/14
21/11/13 20/03/14 ASSESSMENT
28/11/13
December 2013
05/12/13
12/12/13
Should you require any further information about this module please contact the Course Leader/Module Leader:
Sue Blainey
T: 01473 338537
E: s.blaineyucs.ac.uk|
If you are already registered on a diploma or degree programme it is advisable to inform your course leader that you will be undertaking this module. This will enable your course leader to undertake the vital task of tracking your academic journey.