Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing

Module attendance dates

Lancaster - 10, 11 & 12 September, 02 & 03, 23 & 24 October, 11, 12 & 13 November 2013

Carlisle - 07, 08 & 09, 28 & 29 January, 18 & 19 January, 10, 11 & 12 February 2014

Lancaster - 07, 08 & 09, 29 & 30 January, 19 & 20 January, 10, 11 & 12 February 2014

Applications should be made as early as possible. Late applications will be considered on an individual basis but please be aware that the Prescribing course requires a lengthy processing time.

Why study with us?

This 40 credit, level 6 award is fully accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council. The course requires protected learning time equivalent to 26 days attendance (including directed learning days) and 12 clinical practice days.

On completion of the award students should be able to:

• Critically reflect on their ability to consult effectively with patients and carers, assessing their need for medicines, taking account of their wishes and conducting, as appropriate, a relevant physical examination
• Critically appraise the relevance of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and apply the knowledge to their own prescribing practice, recognising and evaluating influences on prescribing practice at individual, local and national levels
• Articulate and demonstrate how they will prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively, justifying the local application of legal and professional frameworks for accountability and responsibility in relation to supplementary and extended formulary prescribing, whilst demonstrating an understanding of the importance of record keeping in the context of medicines management
• Critique sources of information, advice and support, explaining how they will use them in prescribing practice, taking into account evidence based practice, national/ local guidelines and the roles of others who are involved in prescribing practice
• Critically reflect on the factors which impact on prescribing in a public health context and which necessitate therapeutic monitoring and modification and practice based change
• Demonstrate appropriate history taking, undertake a clinical assessment and make an appropriate diagnosis having considered the legal, cognitive, emotional and physical differences between children and adults.

What can this course lead to?

Successful completion of the course allows students to seek to have their qualification recorded by their professional body, the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Resources and facilities Have a look at our learning resources for non-medical prescribing. Entry requirements See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credit

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 40 credits Selection criteria

• Evidence of successful study at level 6
• At least two years' clinical experience in the area in which prescribing will take place
• A designated medical practitioner who will act as mentor
• Identification of the need to prescribe by the line manager
• Access to a prescribing budget on successful completion of the course agreed by the Non-medical Prescribing Lead
• For those students within Cumbria and Lancashire, attainment of a minimum mark of 80% in the pre-course numeracy assessment
• Following a telephone interview, there will be an additional pharmacology pre-course test for all students; organised by the University and accessed through the Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard
• Current CRB clearance (issued within three years of the course start date); a copy of the current disclosure should be submitted with application or provided prior to the start date of the course
• The medical mentor must meet the standards required by the Department of Health.

Further information about entry requirements can be found at www.prescribingforsuccess.co.uk

Apply Now

Please download an application form from the North West Non-medical Prescribing website.

Finance

NHS North West employees should make a funding application for the course through the NHS funding gateway, CPD-Apply.

If you are self-funded or employed outside NHS North West, the UK/EU tuition fee for this award is £1,400 in 2012/3.

Applicants who are not normally resident in the UK may qualify for the International fee rate which is £2,800 in 2012/3.

Modules

• NMLB6254 Consultation Skills for Pharmacists (10 credits at level 6)
• NMLB6248 Principles of Prescribing Practice in the Context of Pharmacists (Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing) (20 credits at level 6)
• NMLB6252 Developing Clinical Skills for Non-medical Prescribing through Work Based Learning (10 credits at level 6)

Course summary

Provides a multi-professional, flexible, part-time course which will prepare pharmacists designated by law for their roles as non medical prescribers. Non-medical Prescribing (Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing) at level 6 comprises two 10 credits modules and one 20 credit module focusing on the principles which underpin prescribing practice and pharmacology.