This Independent/Supplementary Prescribing Programme, will commence in September 2019.
If you would like more information on the programme please contact Hilary on hfield@dmu.ac.uk
Programme Codes
Independent/Supplementary Prescribing Progamme (Under Graduate) B23050 (Level 6)
Independent/Supplementary Prescribing Programme (Post Graduate) B23081 (Level 7)
Overview of the Programme
This programme is designed to prepare nurses/midwives and allied health professionals to prescribe medication from the British National Formulary (BNF) within their competency and scope of practice.
The Programme is taught one day per week over two semesters.
September cohort every Thursday between September and May
January Cohort every Tuesday between January and August
Students can study at either level 6 (degree) or level 7 (masters). Students will undertake 2 modules and on successful completion will be awarded the professional qualification of Independent and/or supplementary prescriber (V300), as well as 45 academic credits at level 6 or 7.
In order to gain the professional qualification of Independent/Supplementary prescriber (V300) students must pass two modules:
- Applied Prescribing Module (30 Credits) PRES 3005 – level 6 and PRES 5005 – level 7
- Pharmacology for Prescribers Module (15 Credits)PRES 3006 – level 6 and PRES 5006 -level 7
Applied Prescribing Module
This is a 30 credit module which is taught over 2 semesters. Assessment for this module includes: Complication of a practice portfolio and submission of 2 reflective pieces of work.
Practice Portfolio:
- Record of 84 hours in practice working alongside your practice supervisor and practice assessor as well as other prescribers. For these practice days you must be working in a supernumerary capacity and you will reflect on your learning for each of these practice days.
- Achievement of the competencies contained within the Competency Framework for all prescribers (RPS 2016)
- Completion of service user evaluation of student performance.
- Completion of a clinical management plan.
Reflections Level 7
In reflection one the student will reflect on a patient consultation and analyse ideas of how the consultation could be improved. In addition the student will critically explore the impact of individual prescribing decisions from an organisational and leadership perspective (2000 words)
In the second reflection the student will discuss some of the issues they may face as a prescriber and suggest ways that these may be addressed. In addition, they will consider the relevance of continuing professional development in relation to prescribing. Students will also consider the impact of their prescribing decisions on the wider organisation that they work for (2000 Words)
Reflections Level 6
In reflection one the student will reflect on a patient consultation and analyse ideas of how the consultation could be improved (1500 words)
In the second reflection the student will discuss some of the issues they may face as a prescriber and suggest ways that these may be addressed (1500 Words)
Pharmacology for Prescribers Module
This is a 15 credit module which is taught over 2 semesters. Assessment for this module includes: Complication of a numeracy assessment, pharmacology exam and assignment
Numeracy Exam:
The numeracy exam is intended to assess numeracy skills in relation to common drug calculations. The pass mark for this assessment is 100%
LINK to PRACTICE PAPER
Pharmacology Exam
This written exam is intended to assess the students’ knowledge of pharmacological principles required to ensure safe prescribing. In addition, it will test the student’s ability to accurately use the British National Formulary (BNF) to make safe prescribing decisions. The pass mark for this assessment is 80%.
Assignment Level 7
The assignment will allow the student to critically analyse the different prescribing decisions that could be made in the treatment of a patient. It will allow the student the opportunity to consider the quality of the evidence supporting different treatment choices. In addition, students will be expected to consider the wider organisational issues that may arise in relation to prescribing practice. The pass mark for this assessment is 50% (2,500 words)
Assignment Level 6
The assignment allows the student to analyse the different prescribing decisions that could be made in the treatment of a patient. It will allow the student the opportunity to critique the different options. The pass mark for this assessment is 40% (2000 words)
This is a demanding programme and students do find that there is a lot of work to complete. You will need to be organised and ensure that you stay up to date with the demands of the programme.
Suggested time scales:
Please be aware that whilst there may not appear to be much difference between studying at level 6 and 7 the main difference is that your work is marked against different grade descriptors.
If you have not studied at level 7 before, this is a difficult programme to start studying at level 7. You will need to access support from the library on how to write at level 7. Please do not under-estimate the amount of work you will need to complete to pass this programme.
Prescribing Standards
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2016) has produced a set of prescribing competencies that all prescribers must work to; https://www.rpharms.com/Portals/0/RPS%20document%20library/Open%20access/Professional%20standards/Prescribing%20competency%20framework/prescribing-competency-framework.pdf
Here is a link to the NMC ( 2018) standards for prescribing Programmes https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/standards-for-post-registration/standards-for-prescribers/standards-for-prescribing-programmes/
Here is a link to the HCPC standards for prescribers https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-relevant-to-education-and-training/standards-for-prescribing/
Here is a link to the NMC standards for student assessment and supervision https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards-for-education-and-training/standards-for-student-supervision-and-assessment/
Entry Criteria:
Professional Qualifications
Applicants for Independent/Supplementary Prescribing Programme must be a nurse (level 1)/midwife registered with the NMC or Physiotherapist/ Podiatrist/Paramedic/ Therapeutic Radiographer registered with the HCPC
Applicants for Supplementary Prescribing Programme must be a Dietitian/ Diagnostic Radiographer registered with the HCPC.
Other Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be on the relevant professional register for a minimum of one year
- Be interviewed by prescribing team and practice partners
- Be competent in: patient assessment, diagnostics, planning and evaluation of care. If the student does not possess a university accredited course that covers these skills the applicant must confirm how they have developed these skills and how they have been assessed in practice. These skills must be confirmed by the prescribing assessor/designated medical practitioner.
- Have the support of a suitably qualified practice supervisor and practice assessor/designated medical practitioner. The roles of practice assessor/designated medial practitioner and practice supervisor must be undertaken by different people.
- Have the support of a prescriber willing to take on the role of continuing professional development facilitator on qualification.
- Have, if applicable, managerial and non-medical prescribing lead support (for self-employed candidates this is not required but a professional reference is required instead.)
- Have a completed a placement audit for their practice area
- Completed a good health good character form
- Have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check within 3 years of start of the Programme
- If English is not the applicant’s first language they must complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The applicant must provide an IELTS certificate to confirm an overall score of 7.0, however a level 6.5 in writing will be accepted alongside a level 7 in reading, listening and speaking.
Academic Qualifications:
- Level 6 – applicants must possess 120 credits at level 5
- Level 7 – applicants must possess a degree at 2:2 or above
In addition to completing the online application form the applicant will be required to submit the following appendices:
APPENDICES TO APPLICATION FORM
LINK TO BE COMPLETED
Practice Supervisor
Practice Supervisor roles and responsibilities
Criteria
- Registered nurse (Level 1) /midwife or allied health professional)
- Qualified as an independent/supplementary prescriber for at least two years
- Make prescribing decisions on a regular basis as part of their role
- Own prescribing practice must adhere to the competency framework for prescribers (RPS, 2016)
- Have experience of supervising and assessing nurses/midwives or allied health professionals
- There must be no conflict of interest in acting as the prescribing students Practice Supervisor
- Must work within their professional bodies code of conduct, and escalate any concerns regarding patient safety
Role
As a Prescribing Practice Supervisor you have an important role in supporting and guiding the prescribing student through the programme to enable them to meet the prescribing competencies (RPS, 2016). You will be instrumental in helping the student to relate the theory taught in university to their own area of practice. Students should be encouraged to observe and reflect on prescribing decisions in a variety of areas, not just their own work placement. It is your responsibility to contribute to the student’s assessment through the recording of regular feedback on their progress towards achievement of their proficiencies.
Specific feedback must be provided to the Practice Assessor on the student’s progress.
Practice Assessor
Criteria
- Registered nurse (Level 1) /midwife or allied health professional)
- Qualified as an independent prescriber for at least three years
- Make prescribing decisions on a regular basis as part of their role
- Own prescribing practice must adhere to the competency framework for prescribers (RPS, 2016)
- Have experience of supervising and assessing nurses/midwives or allied health professionals
- There must be no conflict of interest in acting as the prescribing students Practice Assessor
- Must work within their professional bodies code of conduct, and escalate any concerns regarding patient safety
As a Practice Assessor you have a key role in assessing and confirming the student’s proficiency in meeting the prescribing competencies (RPS, 2016). You will support the students learning by helping them to relate theoretical knowledge to their own practice environment. You will observe the student, conduct and record student assessments informed by student reflections, feedback from Prescribing Practice Supervisors and other relevant people to confirm achievement. You will liaise with the Prescribing Academic Assessor, either through the Portfolio, or through meetings either face to face or telephone.
If the student is not meeting the required standards this should be highlighted as a development need. If there is a cause for concern or a fitness for practice issue that requires prompt action, an Action Plan should be instigated to address specific needs or concerns within a specified time frame. In the event of this, seek guidance from the Academic Assessor and/or senior practice representative
Academic Assessor
Academic Assessors are
- Registered nurses(level 1)/midwives/Allied health professionals
- Employed as a lecturer at the University
- Qualified as an Independent/Supplementary Prescriber
- There must be no conflict of interest in acting as the prescribing students Academic Assessor
- Must work within their professional bodies code of conduct, and escalate any concerns regarding patient safety
Role:
The Academic Assessor will work in partnership with the Practice Assessor to evaluate and recommend the student for progression for each part of the educational programme. The Academic Assessor will enable scheduled communication and collaboration with the Practice Assessor and this communication can take a variety of forms.
Student responsibilities
The Portfolio makes up a significant part of your overall assessment for the Independent and supplementary prescribing (V300) programme. You should engage positively in a wide range of learning opportunities, take responsibility for your own development and and access support as required. You should arrange your own visits to different areas of practice to ensure that you observe a variety of prescribing decisions. You will work with, and receive oral and written feedback from your Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors. You are required to reflect on work to enhance your own learning.You should also alert staff to any reasonable adjustments that may be required to support your learning.
As a registered health care professional it is imperative that you work within the confines of your professional bodies code of conduct. Whilst in practice you must:
- Maintain patient confidentiality at all times Your Portfolio should not contain any patient/service user/carer identifiable information.
- Patients/clients must be offered the opportunity to withdraw their informed consent to student participation in their care.
- Your Practice Supervisor or Assessor should approach patients/clients for feedback.
You are responsible for raising concerns about patient safety to both practice and the University.
Training for Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor Role
Training sessions will be organised by the University to prepare staff to take on the role of Prescribing Practice Supervisor or Practice Assessor
The next dates are on:
Tuesday 29th October from 2-4 in Edith Murphy House room 2.01 and Thursday 7th November from 2-3 in in Edith Murphy House room 2.01
If you wish to attend please contact Hilary Field on hfield@dmu.ac.uk
Programme Handbook
The programme Handbook contains details
Appendices to Application form
Please find Information Available about the
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