Health CPD modules at University of Brighton

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Independent Prescribing

This module is for nurses, midwives, physiotherapists and podiatrists. 

Module Information

Important Notice

Due to high pressure within the NHS we have received a high number of applications for the independent prescribing module. Our partnership and commitment to the NHS along with Health Education England commissioning of this programme has resulted in a decision to suspend acceptance of aesthetics practitioners on to the independent prescribing module for the foreseeable future. This decision is reviewed regularly against the context of the position of the NHS and demand for the programme. Changes to this policy will be communicated via this page, as they occur. 

If you have any queries please contact the programme lead, Andy Timlett on  A.timlett@brighton.ac.uk 

Module code

NA7210  – Semester One

NA7210B – Semester two

NA7210C – Semester three

Content      

This module aims to prepare nurses, midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists and podiatrists to prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively as an independent prescriber within their own scope of practice, utilising a patient centred approach. 

Entry requirements

Applicants at level 7 must possess a bachelor degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. 

  • Applicants must be a first level registered nurse or midwife, or registered allied health professional (paramedic, physiotherapist or podiatrist only).  
  • Applicants normally must demonstrate the ability to study at level 6 and have studied at level 6 within the last five years 
  • Applicants must have achieved a pass in a physical assessment module (or equivalent) prior to commencing on the module or be on a course that has this module (or equivalent) within its framework.   
  • Applicants must have at least 3 years’ post registration practice experience and be deemed competent by their employer to undertake the programme   
  • Of the three years post- registration experience, the year immediately preceding application to the programme applicants must have been working in the clinical field in which they intend to prescribe.  
  • Applicants must have the support of their employer to undertake this module. 
  • Applicants must have a designated practice supervisor and practice assessor to support them in the practical element of the module, both of whom must hold current independent prescribing status with a PSRB.  

Please note paramedic applicants can only take this module as part of the MSc Advanced Practice (or similar), or if the MSc Advanced Practice (or similar) has been completed when prescribing was not an available option.  

Assessments

A 2 hour written examination 

Written examination: Pass/ Fail.    

A written 1 hour unseen examination of ten multiple choice and short answer questions to test pharmacological and knowledge and its application to practice (LO 1). Students must achieve an 80% pass in the written exam (NMC 2018)  

A written 1 hour numeracy exam (LO 2). Students must achieve an 100% pass in the written numeracy exam (NMC 2018).  

A Prescribing Practice Portfolio of evidence (100%).  

The portfolio of prescribing practice will consist of 4 parts, aligned to the learning outcomes and Single Competency Framework for all Prescribers (Royal Pharmaceutical Society 2016).     

The portfolio will consist of four sections and must provide evidence of addressing each of the competencies.   

The four sections are:  

1) A critical clinical account of a medicine used in practice, applied to a patient case study (2000 words)   

A Scope of prescribing practice  

A formulary of medicines within their own scope of prescribing practice (you must use the frameworks provided for these, minimum of 3)  

2) A case study of comprehensive holistic nursing assessment resulting in a prescribing decision (2000 words)   

3) Four short reflective accounts on own prescribing practice considering prescribing: 

  • as part of a team 
  • in a public health context 
  • for special groups (related to your scope of prescribing practice)  
  • in law and ethics for prescribing practice 

4) Evidence of learning in practice.   

Section 4 will include: 

  • A log of 90 hours of supervised prescribing practice signed by the practice supervisor/practice assessor. There must be a record of at least 70 hours direct supervision with your practice supervisor. The hours log must reflect at least FIVE periods of observed prescribing practice by your practice assessor.  
  • Completion of the worksheet mapped to the Single Competency Framework for all Prescribers (RPS 2016) 
  • Examples of written prescriptions 
  • Completion of an observed prescribing encounter in clinical practice related to their own scope of prescribing practice requiring assessment and feedback by the practice assessor (pass/ fail)  
  • Annotated competency framework with practice supervisor and practice assessor feedback on achievement  
  • Evidence of successful professional discussion related to the Single Competency Framework for all Prescribers (RPS 2016) (pass/ fail).  
  • Confirmation of achievement of meeting the Single Competency Framework for all Prescribers by the practice supervisor, practice assessor and academic assessor 
  • Verification of safety and efficacy in prescribing practice (final sign off) by the practice supervisor, practice assessor and academic assessor (LO 1-9). 

Module leader

Andy Timlett

Modules dates

2024-25 Semester 1  – Falmer Campus, Brighton

Important Notice: There is intense demand for places in Semester 1 (September 2024). Unfortunately we will not be able to offer places to single module applicants for this intake as priority must be given to course students who need to take the module for their progression. Course students will be notified of an offer of a place on the September module in July.
We will be operating a waiting list and will inform you if a place becomes available for you. To avoid disappointment, we encourage single module applicants to consider applying for the Semester 2 module, starting in February 2025.
2024-25 Semester 1  – Falmer Campus, Brighton (Dates subject to change)
  • September 25, 27
  • November 14
  • December 5
  • February 13, 27
  • March 6, 13, 20
  • April 24
  • May 22, 27
2024-25 Semester 2  – Falmer Campus, Brighton (Dates subject to change)
  • February 5, 7, 28
  • March 12, 26
  • April 2, 4, 30
  • May 14, 21
  • August 26
  • September 10
2024-25 Semester 3  – Falmer Campus, Brighton (Dates subject to change)
  • April 25, 28
  • May 6, 7, 8, 9
  • June 2, 4, 6, 11
  • January 27
2023-24 Semester 2  – Falmer Campus, Brighton (Dates subject to change)
  • February 7, 8, 21, 28
  • March 6, 20
  • April 10, 24
  • May 15, 21
  • Portfolio submission date: 29 August 2024
2023-24 Semester 3  – Falmer Campus, Brighton (Dates subject to change)
  • 29 April- 3rd May 
  • 7 May- 10th May
  • 26th June
  • 11th September exam 
  • Portfolio submission 23rd Jan 2025. 

Fees

If you are choosing this module as part of a postgraduate or community course, please contact fees@brighton.ac.uk for specific information on the fee for this module

If you are taking this as a single module or part of the BSc / Grad Cert/ PG Cert Clinical Practice or BSc (Hons) Professional Practice course, the module fee is:

2024-25 – £2,330

2023-24 – £2,244

Further information

This module can be taken as part of a course including: 

PG Cert Clinical Practice

BSc (Hons)/ PG Dip Community Specialist Practice

MSc Advanced Clinical Practice

MSc Health

MSc Advanced Podiatry

MSc Advanced Physiotherapy

MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Master’s Degree Apprenticeship)

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