Independent/ Supplementary Prescribing (PgCert)

How will I be taught?

In line with Cardiff University’s Digital Learning Strategy, the programme will be delivered using a blended learning approach. The programme will aim to provide a rich and engaging online experience, including a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities alongside traditional face to face teaching and learning.

We will employ a range of learning and teaching approaches, from group and individual tutorials to student led seminars, dialogue, appreciative enquiry and problem- based learning, skills workshops, self-directed study, critical discussion /debate and expert led lectures. We employ e-learning via Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) that are specifically developed for Independent/ Supplementary Prescribing programmes.

Our programme and modules will facilitate effective inter-professional learning across a wide range of professions, and the sharing of differing professional perspectives and expertise. This experience will enhance your learning and development, and enable you to widen your professional network.

We appreciate that as registered practitioners, you will enter the programme with a wide range of skills, and some of you may hold advanced practitioner roles. Your clinical and experiential experiences are highly valued and will be used to enhance the learning process in terms of independent and shared learning.

We will encourage you to take an adult approach to learning at postgraduate degree level, which involves you taking responsibility for your own learning. We aim to prepare you for professional Independent/ Supplementary Prescribing practice.

How will I be assessed?

To meet professional and statutory regulatory body requirements, you will be assessed via the following methods:

Electronic Prescribing Portfolio:

Therapeutic Framework written Assignment,

Numeracy Test: (30 minutes)

Clinical logs reflective assignment:

Structured Clinical Assessment (SCA):

Therapeutics Class test (60 minutes):

How will I be supported?

To meet professional and statutory regulatory requirements (NMC and HCPC), a number of levels of support are offered:

Personal Tutor : You will be allocated a Personal tutor at the beginning of the programme who will provide educational and pastoral support and will:

•        Maintain regular contact throughout the programme;

•        Advise on the academic standards;

•        Provide support and guidance with respect to learning;

•        Provide feedback of progress and constructive comment on any aspects of learning which will

          require further development;

•        Be available for personal advice and support.

 

Academic Assessor : You will be allocated an Academic Assessor from the programme team for the duration of their programme; in addition to the Personal Tutor who will provide educational and pastoral support. The programme manager is responsible for ensuring that the allocation and monitoring of academic assessors is compliant the NMC standards for supervision and assessment of students, and that academic assessors are prepared for the role, as per faculty standards.

Responsibilities:

• academic assessors collate and confirm student achievement of proficiencies and programme outcomes in the academic environment for each part of the programme.
• academic assessors make and record objective, evidence based decisions on conduct, proficiency and achievement, and recommendations for progression, drawing on student records and other resources.
• academic assessors maintain current knowledge and expertise relevant for the proficiencies and programme outcomes they are assessing and confirming.
• the nominated academic assessor works in partnership with a nominated practice assessor to evaluate and recommend the student for progression, in line with programme standards and local and national policies.
• academic assessors have an understanding of the student’s learning and achievement in practice.

 

Strategy to Support Student Learning and Development as Prescribers

It is expected by the NMC/HCPC and University that regular meetings between you and your DPP should take place to enable a valid and constructive review of your progress and agreement about any further learning experiences which are required. The Practice Assessor (PA) should also meet with you to inform assessment of the your competence. Such meetings will involve direct observation of the your practice to enable a valid assessment of competence.

 

Meetings also need to take place between the PA and Practice Supervisor (PS) to inform the PA’s understanding of your learning and development in practice. The PA and academic assessor are also required to meet to explore the your progress with practice and academic learning to enable a constructive assessment of the your development of appropriate proficiencies and to allow the Academic Assessor to collate student outcomes from all elements of the programme.

 

The programme offers you the opportunity to develop and share ideas with health professionals, enabling you to learn and benefit from the experiences of others. Opportunity is given for discussion and exchange of ideas through seminars and tutorials.

We offer you the opportunity to become a student representative and shape future educational provision and advise on key elements of your learning.

All modules within the programme make extensive use of Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Learning Central, on which you will find course materials, links to related materials and assessment exemplars. All lectures are recorded via electronic platforms, and are available for you to view throughout your programme.

The University offers a wide range of services and activities designed to support you. These include a student counselling service, a student advisory service, day care facilities, sport and exercise facilities, as well as campus information, library and IT services.

Further information about what the University can offer you can be found in the following link:

Student life - Study - Cardiff University

Our student app also allows you to access Cardiff University services and personalised information in one place in a simple and convenient way from a smartphone via the app store. 

Features include:

• Campus maps
• Student library renewals, payments and available items
• Student timetable
• Find an available PC
• Access to help and student support
• Student news
• Receive important notifications
• Links to launch other University apps such as Outlook (for email) and Blackboard (for Learning Central).

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you. 

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:

Knowledge & Understanding:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

• Critically evaluate drug actions and sources of evidence-based information, advice and decision support in prescribing practice.

• Critically explore current available clinical, pharmacological and pharmaceutical knowledge relevant to your own area of practice.
•    Demonstrate a critical evaluation of legal, ethical, professional and governance issues in their prescribing role.

 

Intellectual Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

• Demonstrate the appropriate application of a critical knowledge of drug actions in prescribing practice and the effective use of evidence-based decision support tools.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding and application of legislation relevant to the practice of non-medical prescribing.
• Demonstrate a critical and independent reflective approach to practice, analysing situations resulting in a coherent and sustained argument to enable service and practice improvement and professional development.

Professional Practical Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

• Critically evaluate approaches to the systematic and holistic assessment of patient need and the interpretation of diagnostic indicators to achieve a differential diagnosis.
• Demonstrate a strategic approach to effective collaboration with the multidisciplinary team involved in prescribing, supplying and administration of medicines.
• Demonstrate the critical application of effective strategies in negotiation and shared decision-making with patients and carers.
• Demonstrate a strategic application in practice of the framework of professional accountability and clinical governance in non-medical prescribing.
• Effectively employ appropriate communication/ education strategies to communicate and disseminate knowledge to the patient, families and client groups.

 

Transferable/Key Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

• Engage with information systems in order to analyse and interpret data to inform prescribing practice.
• Integrate theory with professional practice.
• Synthesise information/ data from a variety of sources.
• Critically appraise, synthesise and evaluate the evidence base related to Independent/ Supplementary Prescribing.
• Take responsibility for your individual personal and professional learning and development.
• Independent project manage and demonstrate time management skills.
• Work independently.
• Problem solve and reach realistic conclusions/ recommendations.
• Communicate ideas in a clear concise manner.
• Demonstrate digital literacy.