Independent Prescribing Postgraduate Taught

This Independent Prescribing programme will enable nurses, midwives, advanced physiotherapists, therapeutic radiographers, paramedics, and podiatrists to undertake a robust training programme in order to develop and register as competent independent/supplementary prescribers to meet the standards set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). If you are a pharmacist, please see our Prescribing for Pharmacists course (NHS-4259).

The Independent Prescribing programme will develop professionals to become safe, knowledgeable, competent, compassionate and effective practitioners with a person-centred approach to prescribing. 

By exploring the issues relating to self-care, resilience and accountability, practitioners will adopt the skills and knowledge required to become compassionate prescribers. The programme aims to develop critical-thinking prescribers who fully understand and exercise their professional accountability within their advanced role. Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be able to record their independent/supplementary prescribing status with their regulatory body.

The level 6 programme is aimed at NMC registrants with no previous experience of studying at Masters level and with no evidence of recent undergraduate study. Students studying at level 6 will develop a satisfactory understanding of the principles of safe prescribing practice. Students studying at level 7 will develop a comprehensive and thorough understanding of safe prescribing practice.

Students will need to undertake a minimum of 90 hours of learning in practice, supervised by an appropriately qualified Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP). Students registered with the NMC will need to secure two DPPs.

All students undertaking the programme must meet the requirements as determined by their respective professional standards (NMC and HCPC).

Why choose Bangor University for this course? 

• This programme will adopt a blended learning approach with teaching being delivered remotely as well as on campus which allows for flexibility in learning.
• The programme facilitates interprofessional learning with many sessions being delivered alongside the Prescribing for Pharmacists programme, thus encouraging a collaborative team-orientated approach to learning and working.
• Providing support to students whilst on the programme is very important to us. You will be allocated an academic assessor who will arrange regular tutorials throughout the course to provide support, guidance and advice as well as monitor your progress.
• We also ensure that we support Designated Prescribing Practitioners in their role by providing teaching materials, regular contact and remote support and teaching sessions whilst undertaking the role
• Students can submit their assignments in Welsh if they wish and many of the course team are Welsh speakers.

What will you study on this course?

The Independent Prescribing programme will ensure that you are familiar with and can apply the general principles of prescribing practice which is utilised within your own area of clinical practice. To cover generic prescribing principles, while speakers may refer to their own clinical experience as examples, the principles discussed can be applied to all areas of prescribing practice. The programme will allow you to expand on your existing knowledge and apply these to the principles of prescribing.

The Independent Prescribing  programme will provide a foundation for your development as a newly qualified independent/supplementary prescriber. Once qualified and registered with your regulatory body, you will have opportunities to expand your formulary and area of competence, in conjunction with your employer, as appropriate.

Elements of this programme will be delivered in conjunction with the Prescribing for Pharmacists programme. The students on both programmes come from different professional backgrounds and diverse clinical specialties and will have different knowledge, skills, experiences and expertise. This course facilitates interprofessional learning which encourages a collaborative team-orientated approach to learning and working. Based on this, you are expected to take an active role in interprofessional learning during the programme by sharing your expertise and professional perspective.

You are expected to be active participants in your learning which means participating in discussions within the class and on the discussion board, actively seeking learning opportunities within clinical practice, and undertaking self-directed learning.

The Independent Prescribing programme is underpinned by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's A Competency Framework for all Prescribers (2021). The programme content and assessments are mapped against the 10 domains within this framework:

• assessing the patient
• identify evidence-based treatment options available for clinical decision making
• present options and reach a shared decision
• prescribe
• provide information
• monitor and review
• prescribe safely
• prescribe professionally
• improve prescribing practice
• prescribe as part of a team.

• Students will need access to a computer and internet connection as well as a calculator and a current copy of the British National Formulary (BNF).
• All students require an enhanced DBS check (including international checks where appropriate) which is normally funded by their employer.
• Course cost - £1,780. The course is usually financed by the Welsh Government.

NMC registrants:

• Registered nurse, midwife or SCPHN.
• Registered with the NMC for a minimum of 1 year prior to application.
• Have identified two suitable Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPPs) - a Practice Assessor and a Practice Supervisor.

HCPC registrants:

• Registered with the HCPC and have a minimum of 3 years post qualification experience in the clinical area in which you intend to prescribe.
• Practicing in an environment where there is an identified need to regularly use independent or supplementary prescribing.
• Have a qualification in advanced practice or working at an equivalent level.
• Can demonstrate how you reflect on your own performance and take responsibility for your own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) including development of networks for support, reflection and learning.
• Have identified a suitable DPP.

On application, a supplementary form specific to the Independent Prescribing programme will need to be completed and submitted.

The Independent Prescribing programme has been co-produced with stakeholders, service users, carers and students and adhere to the standards of the relevant professional bodies. Thus, the programme meets the needs of the employer, service users, carers, students and the professional bodies.

An independent/supplementary prescribing qualification will enable professionals to practice at a higher level and should result in an improvement in patient care and facilitate career progression. As independent prescribers, professionals will become autonomous practitioners more able to provide holistic care to service users.
 
Upon successful completion of the programme, annotation onto the register as an independent/supplementary prescriber with the student’s regulatory body is required prior to being able to prescribe.