Practice Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing
| Module title | Practice Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing |
|---|---|
| Module code | HPDM147 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 45 |
| Module staff | (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 13 | 13 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 34 |
|---|
Module description
Prescribing is an important intervention in clinical care that needs to be safe and effective for patients. In addition, decisions around medication-related care should strive to be patient-centred, evidence-based and cost-effective for the NHS. This is an inter-disciplinary programme, meaning that you will learn alongside pharmacists, nurses and other allied-health professionals.
For pharmacists, entry to this module requires you to be a registered pharmacist with the GPhC or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) with at least two years appropriate patient-orientated experience in a UK hospital, community or primary care setting following their pre-registration year. In addition, you must have organisational governance structures in place to support you (including clinical support, access to protected learning time and employer support), a declaration of good character and a valid Enhanced DBS that adheres to your organisation’s governance policy.
For NMC registrants, entry to this module requires you to be a registered nurse (level 1), midwife or SCPHN, with at least one year since qualification. You must have the academic ability to study at level 7 (must have previously studied at level 6, as a minimum) and be competent in clinical/health assessment, diagnostics/care management and planning/evaluation of care (confirmed by your line manager). In addition, you must have organisational governance structures in place to support you (including clinical support, access to protected learning time and employer support), a declaration of good character and a valid Enhanced DBS that adheres to your organisation’s governance policy.
For HCPC-registered allied health professionals, entry to this module requires you to be an HCPC registered health professional with at least three years relevant post-qualification experience. Paramedic applicants must have at least five years’ experience since qualification, practising in your area of expertise for at least 12 months. You must have the academic ability to study at level 7 (must have previously studied at level 6, as a minimum) and be competent in clinical/health assessment, diagnostics/care management and planning/evaluation of care (confirmed by your line manager) Paramedic applicants must have evidence of post-qualification study at level 7.In addition, you must have organisational governance structures in place to support you (including clinical support, access to protected learning time and employer support), a declaration of good character and a valid Enhanced DBS that adheres to your organisation’s governance policy.
All applicants will be expected to have identified an area of clinical practice in which to develop your prescribing skills and have up-to-date clinical, pharmacological and pharmaceutical knowledge relevant to your intended area of prescribing practice. You will also be required to demonstrate how you take responsibility for your own continuing professional development and reflect on your own performance.
Building on this, the module will provide you with the knowledge and skills to holistically assess individual patients and implement safe prescribing as an autonomous practitioner. This module will extend your workplace-based experience and give you the credentials to become a Supplementary and/or Independent prescriber in your area of clinical practice. As a GPhC requirement, pharmacists will be expected to arrange supervised practice with an appropriate Designated Prescribing Practitioner. NMC-registrants will be expected to arrange supervised practice with an appropriate Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor. HCPC registrants will be expected to arrange supervised practice with an appropriate Practice Educator. The supervisors must be named at the point of application for the module and must sign the student application form to confirm their agreement.
On successful completion of this module you will be awarded the Practice Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing. This freestanding qualification makes you eligible to apply for Independent Prescriber status annotation on the GPhC/NMC/HCPC register.
Module aims - intentions of the module
You will develop the practitioner’s ability to analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources and available evidence so that shared prescribing decisions can be agreed with the patient and their carers. The learning outcomes of the course are mapped to the RPS Competency Framework for all Prescribers (2016), in addition to any additional standards set by the three accrediting bodies (GPhC, NMC and HCPC). Successful completion of the module will require all of RPS competencies for prescribers to be met.
On successful completion of the module, you will be awarded the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing and receive 45 credits at NQF level 7. Pharmacists will meet all the GPhC learning outcomes to achieve accreditation for annotation on the GPhC register as an Independent Prescriber. NMC-registrants and other allied-health professionals will meet the relevant standards set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to achieve accreditation for annotation as an Independent/Supplementary Prescriber.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Gain a variety of perspectives when working with patients and reflect on and evaluate a variety of options for shared decision making
- 2. Perform clinical and holistic assessments with patients to support and justify prescribing decisions
- 3. Work competently and autonomously within the legal and ethical framework for prescribing
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate how knowledge of patient assessment, clinical monitoring and pharmacology is integrated to undertake clinical medication reviews and patient care in practice
- 5. Incorporate professional, legal and ethical values in clinical decision-making and prescribing governance
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Contribute and collaborate with colleagues as part of a team
- 7. Critically evaluate learning and evidence base resources for application to clinical practice
- 8. Work within a prescribing partnership with patients and multidisciplinary teams in the wider health and social care system
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
E-learning
3 units comprising:
- Prescribing Governance
- Clinical skills for Prescribing
- Prescribing Partnerships
Contact days
- Induction sessions to resources and course
- Problem-based case learning
- Communication skills
- Clinical examination skills
- Prescribing practice discussions
- Assessment preparation sessions
Practice work experience placement
- 90 hours of on-the-job work experience supervised by Designated Prescribing Practitioner (mandated by GPhC/HCPC/NMC), supported by work related evidence submitted via Portfolio of Practice.
This blended learning approach will incorporate:
- Communication skills, clinical assessment and interpretation of data.
- Application of therapeutic knowledge and evidence-based resources to prescribing decisions.
- Incorporating professional, legal and ethical values in prescribing
- Exploration of tailoring care and shared decision making.
- Prescribing issues around morbidity, multi-morbidity and polypharmacy.
The learning outcomes of the course are mapped to the RPS Competency Framework for all Prescribers (2016), in addition to any additional standards set by the three accrediting bodies (GPhC, NMC and HCPC). Successful completion of the course will require all RPS competencies for prescribers to be met.
To ensure flexibility and resilience over the coming academic year, the following changes may be made to the module if needed:
- Practical skills, or contribution to discussions, which are usually observed in class, may be replaced by observation via Teams/Zoom, monitoring of discussion boards; or may be replaced with a different assessment format
- Face-to-face scheduled lectures may be replaced by short, pre-recorded videos for each topic (15-20 minutes) and/or brief overview lectures delivered via MS Teams/Zoom, with learning consolidated by self-directed learning resources and ELE activities.
- Written examinations (e.g. timed, invigilated, closed-book formal exam) may be replaced by an online equivalent (e.g. timed, non-invigilated, open-book, online exam).
- Presentations (e.g. PowerPoint-based presentation to group in face-to-face setting) may be replaced by PowerPoint-based presentation to the group using Teams/Zoom; or submission of a narrated PowerPoint.
- Observed Structured Clinical Examinations may be undertaken by Teams/Zoom; or may be replaced with a different assessment format.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | 250 | 90 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 60 | Contact Days: Learning group discussion, seminars, clinical assessment suite. Presentations (e.g. PowerPoint-based presentation to group in face-to-face setting) may be replaced by PowerPoint-based presentation to the group using Teams/Zoom; or submission of a narrated PowerPoint. Skills workshops involving practical skills acquisition demonstrations may be replaced by short, pre-recorded videos as pre-learning; or workshop via Teams/Zoom |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 50 | Online learning (activities and resources): Material and activities on E-learning platform including pre-course learning |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Portfolio tasks: Work-place based tasks |
| Guided Independent Study | 50 | Clinical interest academic essay: Written essay on clinical interest topic |
| Guided Independent Study | 60 | Guided PBL case learning: Self-study based on patient cases between contact days. Workshops involving face-to-face classroom teaching may be replaced by synchronous sessions on Teams/Zoom; or Asynchronous workshop activities supported with discussion forum |
| Guided Independent Study | 50 | Preparation for observed skill assessment: Clinical skills practice. Skills workshops involving practical skills acquisition demonstrations may be replaced by short, pre-recorded videos as pre-learning; or workshop via Teams/Zoom |
| Guided Independent Study | 60 | Wider research and reading of relevant topics |
| Placement | 90 | Work experience supervised by Designated Prescribing Practitioner/Practice Assessor/Practice Educator (mandated by GPhC/ NMC/HCPC) |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical interest essay plan | 200-300 words | 1-2, 4-5, 7-8 | Written |
| Portfolio task | 200-300 words | 1-4, 6 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 40 | 40 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPSA MCQ examination part 1 numeracy (this assessment must be passed at 100%; failure in this assessment will lead to failure in the module and the programme) | 4 | 4 questions with single best answer | 3-5 | Written |
| IPSA MCQ examination part 2 pharmacology (this assessment must be passed at 80%; failure in this assessment will lead to failure in the module and the programme) | 10 | 10 questions with single best answer | 4 | Written |
| IPSA MCQ examination part 3 prescribing safety (this assessment must be passed at 60% (this value may vary annually and is determined for each iteration of the test by Modified Angoff method); failure in this assessment will lead to failure in the module and the programme) | 26 | 26 questions with single best answer | 1-6 | Written |
| OSCE part 1 communication skills shared decision making (this assessment must be passed at 50% (set by modified Angoff); failure in this assessment will lead to failure in the module and the programme) | 8 | 12 minutes, 22 marks | 1-5 | Written |
| OSCE part 1 communication skills shared decision making Professional Judgement (this assessment is pass/fail only and must be passed; failure in this assessment will lead to failure in the module and the programme) | 0 | n/a | 1-5 | Written |
| OSCE part 2 communication skills team communication (this assessment must be passed at 50% (set by modified Angoff); failure in this assessment will lead to failure in the module and the programme) | 8 | 12 minutes, 22 marks | 1-6 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPSA MCQ examination part 1 numeracy (4 questions, 4%) | IPSA MCQ examination part 1 numeracy (4 questions, 4%) | 3-5 | Typically, within six weeks of the result |
| IPSA MCQ examination part 2 pharmacology (10 questions, 10%) | IPSA MCQ examination part 2 pharmacology (10 questions, 10%) | 4 | Typically, within six weeks of the result |
| IPSA MCQ examination part 3 prescribing safety (26 questions, 26%) | IPSA MCQ examination part 3 prescribing safety (26 questions, 26%) | 1-6 | Typically, within six weeks of the result |
| OSCE part 1 communication skills SDM (10-18 minutes, 22 marks, 8%) | OSCE part 1 communication skills SDM (12 minutes, 22 marks, 8%) | 1-5 | Typically, within six weeks of the result |
| OSCE part 1 communication skills SDM Professional Judgement (pass/fail, 0%) | OSCE part 1 communication skills SDM Professional Judgement (pass/fail, 0%) | 1-5 | Typically, within six weeks of the result |
| OSCE part 2 communication skills team communication (12 minutes, 22 marks, 8%) | OSCE part 2 communication skills team communication (12 minutes, 22 marks, 8%) | 1-6 | Typically, within six weeks of the result |
Re-assessment notes
15 items of assessment are required for this module. In all cases re-assessment will be in the same format as the original assessment. Where you have been referred/deferred for any form of assessment detailed above you will have the opportunity to retake within a specified period from the date that feedback was provided.
All items of assessment for this module must be passed to pass the module; failure in any assessment will lead to failure in the module and the programme.
In any assessment, a failure to identify a serious problem or an answer which would cause the patient harm will result in overall failure of the programme on the grounds of Clinical Judgement.
To pass the Portfolio assessment you are required to obtain your DPP’s signed approval for the Statement of Competence.
If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of deferral, your re-assessment will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment and the overall module mark will not be capped.
If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), the overall module mark will be capped at 50%.
If you fail re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), you will be failed in the module and the programme.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- A Competency Framework for all Prescribers – Royal Pharmaceutical Society July 2016
- Medicines, Ethics and Practice (current edition) - Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Standards for Pharmacy Professionals – General Pharmaceutical Council May 2017
- Standards for Prescribing programmes – Nursing and Midwifery Council May 2018.
- Standards for Prescribing – Health and Care Professions Council Sept 2019
- Practice Guidance for Radiographer Independent and/or Supplementary Prescribers – Society of Radiographers Feb 2016
- Practice Guidance for Paramedic Independent and/or Supplementary Prescribers – College of Paramedics Feb 2018
- Practice guidance for physiotherapist supplementary and/or independent prescribers in the safe use of medicines (4th edition) - Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Nov 2018
- Macleod's Clinical Examination: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access, 13e Paperback – 21 Jun 2013 by Graham Douglas BSc(Hons) MBChB FRCP(Ed) (Author)
- Symptom Sorter, Fifth Edition by Keith Hopcroft Paperback
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- The textbook of non-medical prescribing [electronic resource] / edited by Dilyse Nuttall and Jane Rutt-Howard
ERESOURCE | Wiley Blackwell | 2016 | Second edition.
- BMJ 10-minute consultation : primary care / by Doctor Helen Ashdown and Professor Anthony Harnden Ashdown, Helen, author.
ERESOURCE | BPP Learning Media Ltd | 2016
- Adverse drug interactions [electronic resource] : a handbook for prescribers / Lakshman Karalliedde ... [et al.]
ERESOURCE | Hodder Education | 2010.
- Macleod's clinical examination / edited by Graham Douglas, Fiona Nicol, Colin Robertson ; illustrations by Robert Britton
ERESOURCE | Churchill Livingstone Elsevier | 2013 | Thirteenth edition.
- Kumar & Clark's clinical medicine [electronic resource] / edited by Parveen Kumar, Michael Clark
ERESOURCE | Elsevier | 2017 | Ninth edition.
- Oxford handbook of clinical examination and practical skills / edited by James Thomas and Tanya Monaghan
ERESOURCE | Oxford University Press | 2014 | Second edition
- Pass the PSA / William Brown, Kevin Loudon, James Fisher, Laura Marsland ; foreword by Sam Leinster
Brown, Will, 1985- author.
ERESOURCE | Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone | 2014
- Stockley's drug interactions pocket companion 2016 [electronic resource] / edited by Claire L. Preston
ERESOURCE | Pharmaceutical Press | 2016
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Local formularies such as https://northeast.devonformularyguidance.nhs.uk/
Key words search
Practice certificate; Independent prescribing; Pharmacy; Prescriber ; Prescribing; Non-medical Prescriber; GPhC; NMC; HCPC; Supplementary Prescribing
| Credit value | 45 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 22.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | N/A |
| Module co-requisites | N/A |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 12/12/2017 |
| Last revision date | 10/09/2024 |
