Preparation for Independent and Supplementary Prescribing V300

Program Overview

This program trains registered health professionals to become independent and supplementary prescribers, capable of safely and effectively assessing, prescribing, and reviewing medications. Students will develop comprehensive knowledge, skills, and attitudes, aligning with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Competency Framework for Prescribers. The program includes practice-based assessments and examinations in numeracy, pharmacology, and prescribing cases, ensuring students meet the NMC/HCPC proficiencies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This module equips eligible registered health professionals with the required knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes to safely and effectively assess, prescribe and review medications as independent and supplementary prescribers. Working in partnership with service users, supervisors and assessors, participants on the module will engage in reflective, competent, collaborative and person-centred prescribing practices in accordance with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Competency Framework for Prescribers.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module the participant will be able to:

• Undertake a comprehensive clinical history, including medications history and a review of current medications (including over the counter (OTC), complementary and alternative therapies) to inform diagnosis (RPS Competency 1, 5, 7).
• Recognise the wide range of contextual, legal, social and individual factors that must be considered when engaging in critical and clinical reasoning and decision-making as an accountable and responsible prescriber (RPS Competency 1, 2, 3, 7, 8).
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of pharmacological interventions and apply this knowledge systematically and critically in assessment, prescribing, dosage calculations, monitoring and medication reviewing practices (RPS 1, 2, 4, 6).
• Demonstrate a consistently safe, person-centred and ethical approach to prescribing practices and dosage calculations, critically reviewing organisational practices and systems related to prescribing (RPS 2, 4, 5, 6, 7).
• Critically analyse and critically evaluate own performance as independent and supplementary prescribers, and the performance of other practitioners, utilising and contributing to strategies that offer feedback and development, such as clinical supervision and critical reflective practice (RPS 8, 9, 10).
• As with other NMC-approved programmes, the process of Supervision and Assessment has been fully aligned to the NMC Standards of Student Supervision and Assessment (SSSA).
• The co-production process and publication of external standards has led to modifications in learning outcomes and selected content, mapping to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s (RPS) Competency Framework, as well as minor updates to the practice-based assessment strategy.

Assessment:

• Portfolio of independent and supplementary prescribing cases (total 4500 words):
• One independent prescribing essay of 2250 words, consisting of a client-specific case study to demonstrate critical application of knowledge, skills and values as an independent prescriber.
• One supplementary prescribing essay of 2250 words, consisting of a client-specific case study that demonstrates critical application of knowledge, skills and values as a supplementary prescriber, which must include critical analysis and application of the clinical management plan (CMP).
• Numeracy examination: One 30 minute drug calculation examination, consisting of five multiple choice questions.
This assessment is marked as “pass” or “fail”, but the student must answer all questions correctly.
• Pharmacology examination: One 90 minute examination, consisting of 10 MCQs and 10 short answer questions.
Students need to score 80% in order to pass.
• Portfolio of Practice Evidence: Record of practice-based assessment and achievement of the NMC/HCPC proficiencies and the RPS practice competencies including supplementary prescribing.

Other:

• The content of the module is drawn from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Competency Framework for Prescribers and the learning outcomes are closely mapped to these:
• Assess the patient - undertake a thorough history, including medication history and current medication (considering OTC, alternative and complementary therapy) to inform diagnosis.
• Consider the options - Understand the influence that can impact on prescribing.
• Prescribe - Understand and apply knowledge of drug actions in prescribing practice and monitor response.
• Monitor and review - Monitor and respond to drug actions and recognises unsafe practice/systems acting accordingly.
• Prescribe safely - Prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively.
• Prescribe professionally - Practice within a framework of professional accountability and responsibility in relation to the relevant legislation for the registered health care professional body.
• Improve prescribing in practice - Use clinical supervision and reflective practice to critically analyse and evaluate their ongoing performance as independent prescribers and continuing professional development.
• Prescribe as part of a team - Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of others involved in prescribing, supplying and administering medicines and the need for inter-professional working and shared decision making.
• In addition to the above, the module content includes:
• Anatomy and physiology.
• Legal, ethical and professional issues.
• Clinical pharmacology, including effects of co-morbidities
• Evidence based practice and issues of quality related to prescribing practice
• Professional accountability and responsibility
• Concordance strategies and overcoming clinical inertia
• Monitoring and reviewing strategies
• Prescribing in the team context
• Prescribing in the public health context including health promotion.
• Models of consultation and motivational interviewing
• Introductions to epidemiology
• Service user partnership and collaboration
• Consider prescribing options
• Prescribing safety
• Improving prescribing practice through reflection
These changes included courses being taught through blended delivery, normally including some face-to-face teaching, online provision, or a combination of both across the year.