Develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to become a safe prescriber – take your career to the next level through this NMC and HCPC-accredited course. The course aims to equip Advanced Paramedics, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Therapeutic Radiographers, Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors with the skills and competencies you need to prescribe medication safely, appropriately and cost effectively.
You’ll study clinical pharmacology, prescribing for different client groups, and structured consultation and therapy decisions process. You can study this module as a stand-alone Certificate in Professional Studies (Level 7, 30 CATS). Or if you’d like to continue postgraduate education, this module can contribute to either the Master’s in Advanced Clinical Practice or the Master’s in Advanced Professional Practice.
Study style
This is a part-time course which you’ll study one day per week over a period of 15 taught days, alongside 90 hours in a clinical placement and 112.5 hours of self-directed learning. You’ll be assessed by exams, online assessments, reflective case studies and a portfolio of evidence – demonstrating your clinical competency against the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s 2016 framework of competency for non-medical prescribers.
Lectures take place either online or in person and run from 9.30am until 4.30pm (please check cohort delivery method). The professional statutory bodies require 100% attendance for all clinical teaching activities – so we have to hold registers for teaching days – and we monitor and record all online student activity to ensure that these Professional Statutory Registering Bodies’ requirements are met.
The course consists of a minimum of 300 hours of study:
- 15 clinical teaching/exam sessions each lasting 6.5 hours = 97.5 hours
- a minimum of 90 hours in clinical placement with support from the designated prescribing practitioners (DPPs)
- 112.5 hours of self-directed learning, supported by workbooks, online lecture material and e-learning exercises.
Delivery dates
Teaching sessions will take place on the following dates in 2024:
- 9 April
- 16 April
- 23 April
- 7 May
- 21 May
- 4 June
- 18 June
- 2 July
- 16 July
- 10 September
- 17 September
- 24 September
- 8 October
- 22 October
- 29 October
Teaching sessions for the 2024/25 intake will take place on the following dates:
2024
- 1 October
- 15 October
- 29 October
- 5 November
- 12 November
- 26 November
- 10 December
2025
- 7 January
- 14 January
- 28 January