PG Cert Prescribing Studies

Why choose this course?

This course is a 60 credit module which includes Independent Prescribing with an additional module in Health Assessment and is open to registered pharmacists with at least two years’ post-registration experience in a clinical, patient-facing role. Upon successful completion of the 40 credit module, you will be awarded the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing from the University of Wolverhampton. Your name will then be forwarded to the Registrar of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), and you will be eligible to apply for annotation on the GPhC Register as an Independent Prescriber. This entitles you, with the support of your employer (unless self-employed), to practice as a Supplementary or Independent Prescriber.

In order to be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Prescribing Studies, you will also have to study an additional 20 credit module in Advanced Health Assessment Skills. Successful completion of both modules will lead to the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Prescribing Studies, which will provide evidence to employing organisations of your ability to practice (including prescribing) at an advanced level in your chosen therapeutic area. However, this is entirely optional and you may choose to exit after completing only the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing (module code 7PY019).

What skills will you gain?

At the end of this course you, the student, will be able to:

1. Prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively, in line with the legal, ethical and professional framework for accountability; within a prescribing partnership where appropriate.

2. Communicate effectively with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals, and make shared treatment decisions with these groups as appropriate.

3. Apply clinical assessment skills to recognize the signs and symptoms of illness, to take patient histories, to form a diagnosis and to formulate, modify and review treatment plans as appropriate.

4. Accurately choose and use appropriate diagnostic aids for prescribing and monitoring treatment.

5. Recognise, evaluate and respond to evidence-based information, advice, relevant national/local guidelines and individual patient requirements when prescribing.

6. Work within all aspects of current clinical governance frameworks.

You must be registered as a pharmacist with either the GPhC or the PSNI, and have a minimum of two years’ post-registration experience in a clinical, patient-facing role. We require the written support of your employer (unless self-employed) to undertake this course, and you must have the support and agreement from a suitably experienced medical doctor in your chosen field of clinical practice who is willing and eligible to act as your Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) for the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing.