Principles of Prescribing for Health Care Professionals - Level 7

The  goal of non-medical prescribing is to enable swifter and speedier access to medicines for patients/clients and carers, an activity requiring health professionals to expand their skills and knowledge in developing their role proficiently and effectively and in line with their professional code of conduct/ethics.

The course meets the requirements and standards of both the NMC and HCPC and prepares students to prescribe safely and competently as an independent prescriber or supplementary prescriber to meet the needs of clients/patients and carers with whom they work.

What's covered in the course?

Supplementary prescribing is a voluntary partnership between a registered medical practitioner (a doctor or dentist) and a named health professional to implement an agreed patient-specific written Clinical Management Plan (CMP) with the patient’s agreement.

Independent prescribing is prescribing by a practitioner responsible and accountable for the assessment of patients with undiagnosed or diagnosed conditions and for decisions about the clinical management required, including prescribing.

Students are required to reflect systematically on their learning using a reflective learning journal to evaluate and apply knowledge and skills to achieve the assessments of the programme. Key aspects of the course are the practice assessment and standards of proficiency documentation, the personal development plan, reflective learning journal and pharmacology presentation.

Students are able to choose either Degree Level 6 or Postgraduate Diploma Level 7 studies, depending upon evidence of previous study and career aspirations.

For those students who are undertaking the course to enhance their clinical role, the Non-medical Prescribing for Health Care Professionals Level 6 course will be sufficient. However, students who already have a first degree and wish to progress with their study may wish to apply for and undertake the Principles of Prescribing for Health Care Professionals Level 7 course.

The prescribing courses are available to practitioners working in both the NHS and independent sector. You must meet NMC or HCPC entry criteria; in addition, you must meet your specific employer's entry requirement as well as the University academic entry criteria for your chosen level of study. You must have three years' post-registration experience, with the last 12 months being in the area you intend to prescribe within. Please see the entry requirements section for more information.

Course structure

The modules are delivered together and students enrol on the module that is relevant to their profession and clinical background.

The courses meet the requirements and standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Health and Care Professions Council. Upon successful completion the University will award 30 credits at Level 7.

Successful completion of the course enables students to undertake the dynamic role of either an independent and supplementary or supplementary prescriber to meet the needs of clients/patients and carers with whom they work.

Nurses and midwives will be able to apply to record the qualification of Independent and Supplementary Prescribing with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Allied Health Professionals will be able apply to have their qualification of either Independent and Supplementary Prescribing or Supplementary Prescribing, depending upon the pathway taken, annotated onto the Health and Care Professions Council register.

All registrants must record their prescribing qualification with their professional bodies within 12 months of successfully completing the approved programme.

Note: Prior to your results being uploaded to the NMC or HCPC you will be required to sign a self-declaration stating that there have been no changes to DBS status since enrolment onto the programme.

The non-medical prescribing for health care professionals course consists of the following pathways:

• Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Nurses and Midwives (Level 7)
• Supplementary Prescribing for Allied Health Professionals (Level 7)
• Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Allied Health Professionals (Level 7)
• Independent Prescribing for Podiatrists and Physiotherapists - conversion (Level 7)

The modules are delivered together and you enrol on the module that is relevant to your profession and clinical background.