Pharmacist Independent Prescribing - Practice Certificate

Program Overview

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This 45-credit GPhC-accredited program from Aston University empowers pharmacists to become independent prescribers. Delivered through a blended learning approach, it combines online modules, interactive elements, and mandatory attendance days for clinical skills training. Upon successful completion, participants can register as Independent Prescribers with the GPhC, enhancing their practice and patient care.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Objective:

• Enhance pharmacist practice and patient care by enabling them to manage patients' medication as independent prescribers.
• Develop knowledge, skills, and clinical confidence in safe and effective independent prescribing within a healthcare team.
• Promote person-centered care, professionalism, and critical and systematic application of knowledge and skills.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration with patients, other healthcare workers, and the larger healthcare team.
• Understand the role, responsibilities, and legal aspects of independent prescribing.

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Program Description:

• 45-credit level 7 GPhC accredited qualification, delivered primarily online with five mandatory attendance days on campus.
• Delivered by Aston University, Birmingham.
• Suitable for pharmacists in patient-facing roles with appropriate experience and supervision.
• Culminates in independent prescriber registration with the GPhC (subject to successful program completion and GPhC approval).

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Outline:

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Program Content:

• Knowledge and skills for safe and effective independent prescribing within a healthcare team.
• Professionalism and person-centered care.
• Application of knowledge and skills for independent prescribing.
• Collaboration and communication with patients and healthcare teams.
• Understanding the role, responsibilities, and legal aspects of independent prescribing.
• Prescription writing, medication management, and therapeutic monitoring.
• Clinical skills, including history taking, physical examination, and clinical reasoning.

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Structure:

• Blended learning approach with online modules, interactive elements, discussion boards, and workbooks for peer online learning.
• 90 hours of in-practice learning with a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP).
• Reflective portfolio demonstrating achievement of learning outcomes.

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• OSCE plus
• Clinical Case Presentation (3,000 word case study and online presentation)
• Reflective portfolio
• DPP sign-off (achievement of GPhC learning outcomes)
• Formative assessments: peer and tutor assessment of clinical skills, written clinical management plan, and in-practice case-based assessment with DPP.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Blended learning approach combining online modules, interactive elements, and six mandatory attendance days for hands-on clinical skills training.
• Virtual learning environment (Blackboard) for delivery of online components, including interactive components, discussion boards, and workbooks for peer online learning.
• In-practice learning component providing 90 hours of experience with a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP).

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Faculty:

• Moortooza Puttaroo (Programme Director)
• Mangalpreet Singh (Module Coordinator and Teaching Fellow)
• Gagandeep Degun (Associate Head (Education), Teaching Fellow)
• Ramandeep Sandhu (Teaching Fellow)
• Debbie Kemp (Teaching Fellow)
• Ihab Ali (Lecturer)
• May be combined with the 15-credit "Prescribing in Acute and Emergency Medicine" module to obtain a full "Clinically Enhanced Independent Prescribing PgCert."
• Fees:
• £2,925 (45 credits)
• £650 (10 credits)
• Start dates: September 2024
• Application deadline: 23 August 2024
• Intake: Up to 30 places for HEE-funded and 20 places for self/employer-funded applicants.

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Careers:

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Career Prospects:

• GPhC registration as an Independent Prescriber.
• Enhanced practice as a pharmacist with full responsibility for patient medication management.
• Improved patient care through direct prescription authority.
• Potential for progression to advanced clinical roles and specializations in pharmacy.