Overview
This is a well-established and successful independent/supplementary prescribing programme for pharmacists, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, paramedics, podiatrists, radiographers and dietitians.
It is a part-time, 8 month blended learning programme which leads to you qualifying as an independent prescriber (pharmacists, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, podiatrists, paramedics and therapeutic radiographers) or as a supplementary prescriber (diagnostic radiographers and dietitians). You develop the knowledge and skills to practise as prescribers and to meet the standards set by your respective professional/regulatory body. Also available at Level 6 for nurses/midwives only.
Is this programme right for me?
If you are a pharmacist, nurse, midwife, physiotherapist, paramedic, podiatrist, radiographer or dietitian looking to become a prescriber this is the programme you are looking for.
We also run a 40-credit module as part of the University of Greenwich MSc Advanced Clinical Practice. If you are part of this Greenwich programme and have selected the Prescribing module then you do need to complete our Prescribing Application form.
Entry points and application deadlines
All application forms are to be emailed to MSOPPGTAdmin@greenwich.ac.uk
Please do not post any application forms.
You can find upcoming cohort dates under Course Structure.
All dates and deliveries are subject to change.
Teaching
The Prescribing Programme is delivered by distance learning with a total of nine in person study days at the University, plus 12 days clinical practice, overseen by a DPP/PS/PE.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by GPhC, NMC, HCPC.
About Medway School of Pharmacy
Medway School of Pharmacy is one of the few regional schools of pharmacy in the UK, a collaboration between the University of Kent and the University of Greenwich.
The impetus for the formation of the Medway School of Pharmacy came from the local community, who recognised the shortage of qualified pharmacists in all branches of the pharmacy profession in Kent.
The School is recognised as an established school with accreditation from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Graduates are employed in health disciplines in Kent and the south-east and more broadly across the UK.
National ratings
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, over 85% of our Allied health professions, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy research* was classified as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ for output and environment.
* Joint submission with University of Greenwich.
Course structure
Modules
The following modules are what students will typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.
No modules information available for this delivery.
Teaching and Assessment
Each module and its assessments are applied to your scope of practice. All of the assessments are different in focus and require different things from you. You are given feedback on your work before your next assignment is due to be submitted.
Module 1
Clinical Review as a recorded narrative with supporting documentation directly relating to scope of practice.
Module 2
Exam: includes sections on Numeracy, Using the BNF and Pharmacology pre-seen long answer questions to demonstrate the required knowledge, understanding and skills.
Module 3
Practical Assessment of Prescribing Practice (PAPP): a high-fidelity clinical situation tailored to your individual scope of practice.
VIVA for applied evidence based medicine analysis , focused questioning on the application of the evidence base to a given patient case, this is linked with the PAPP.
Module 4
Structured portfolio evidencing how you have met the prescribing competencies, learning outcomes and professional requirements for your regulatory body (NMC, HCPC, GPhC)This includes evidence of Portfolio Progress Reviews (one formative review- 2 summative)
Reflective Diary, containing three structured reflective entries supported by an appendix of personal reflection diary entries which document progress during period of learning in practice and provide evidence against the professional and regulatory body requirements linked to the period of learning in practice
The type of assessments are the same for each version of the modules (level 6 or level 7).
Study support
Postgraduate resources
Postgraduate students have access to all the facilities at the Medway School of Pharmacy, including clinical skills labs and a ‘simulation man’. As the School of Pharmacy is a joint venture between the two universities, students have access to facilities at Kent’s Medway and Canterbury campuses, and the University of Greenwich.
Distance learning
While on a distance learning programme you need to be able
to organise your time carefully and negotiate with your workplace on how this
programme will work for you and your employer. We will provide you with a
comprehensive list of dates for submission to help you plan your placement time
and to help you negotiate study leave so you can complete your assignments and
portfolio.
You will already possess most, if not all, of the required
skills such as navigating around a webpage or attaching a file and uploading
this to a website or email. The academic skills required will depend on your
level of study and how recently you last studied. The universities have good
resources that you can access to help you rediscover or reinvigorate these
skills as needed.
Getting to grips with the virtual learning
environment (Moodle) early will be really useful to you. This is where the
course is delivered. You will be able to get feedback at regular intervals to
help you with your assignments, access practice quizzes and examples of the
assessments, revisit lecture material when it suits you and download Course
Study Guides & Workbooks for each of the four modules within the programme.
Workplace Support Guides
Please have a look at the following guides, outlining support you will need from your workplace:
British National Formulary (BNF)
Students will need access to the BNF App for the duration of the programme and throughout their career as a prescriber upon completion of the programme.
Careers
There is a high and rising demand for a range of healthcare professionals to qualify as non-medical prescribers. There are career opportunities for both non-medical prescribing nurse practitioners and pharmacists in GP surgeries or other primary care settings and enhanced options for radiographers, physiotherapists, podiatrists and dietitians with the prescribing qualification.
Professional recognition
Accreditation with the GPhC, HCPC or the NMC as a non-medical prescriber
Entry requirements
General entry requirements
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
Research areas
Chemistry and drug delivery
This group has laboratories with dedicated state-ofthe art drug delivery, nanotechnology, spectroscopy, chromatography and organic synthesis facilities. It brings together researchers in medicinal chemistry and drug design, nanotechnology and materials science, drug delivery and pharmaceutics encouraging a multidisciplinary approach to research. Research covers synthesis and biological evaluation of potential anti-cancer agents, structurebased drug design, QSAR predication of ADMET properties, controlled release, particle engineering, powder technology, pharmaceutical technology, and novel drug delivery systems, with a focus on respiratory drug delivery.
Biological sciences
This group is housed in recently refurbished laboratories with dedicated state-of-the-art molecular biological, electrophysiological, tissue culture and microscopy facilities. The research is divided into four main themes; infectious diseases and allergy; neuroscience; renal and cardiovascular physiology; and pharmacology. Examples of current work include: investigation of the use of non-pathogenic virus ‘pseudotypes’ to study pathogenic RNA, study of the properties of neuronal potassium channels and their modulation and the development of new therapies for patients that have developed acute kidney injury in collaboration with a major pharmaceutical company.
Pharmacy practice
This group conducts research in two areas: public health and medicines optimisation, with a particular focus on cardiovascular diseases and mental health. Work in public health includes studies in physical exercise, alcohol, cardiovascular screening and spirometry testing, plus pharmacovigilance. Studies in medicines optimisation include work in dementia, bipolar disorder and stroke, with an emphasis on the patient perspective.
Staff research interests
Fees
See the Medway School of Pharmacy website for Postgraduate Fees
For more fee information, please email MSOPPGTAdmin@greenwich.ac.uk
Funding
Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:
