PgCert Independent Prescribing Practice

01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2027

Course Leader Ben Pitcher
Course Team Simon Young
Awarding Body University of South Wales
Teaching Institutions University of South Wales
Modes of Study Part Time

Document Version

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

QAA Benchmarks

N/A

Educational Aim

To enable students to critically appraise, apply and synthesise evidence based principles into their complex prescribing practice in order that they may evidence safe and effective prescribing practice thus evidencing prescribing competence (in accordance with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Competency Framework for all prescribers)
To provide a coherent, comprehensive framework of professional development enabling students to meet the requirements and complexity of regulators in order to register as independent and supplementary prescribers
To further develop the students’ ability to undertake advanced roles in prescribing practice in order to synthesise and appraise the complexity of their continuing professional development as a prescriber.
To facilitate the development of student's critical reflective skills and advanced appraisal skills to synthesise and develop the complex knowledge, skills, confidence and competence to prescribe safely and effectively

Learning Outcomes

A1 Critically evaluate a range of therapeutic options in the context of prescribing taking into account personal and professional limitations
A2 Demonstrate a critical understanding of the processes of reaching shared decisions whilst putting the service user at the centre of that decision making
A3 Identify and critically evaluate approaches to analysing, assuring and enhancing the quality of prescribing
B1 Critically evaluate the approaches and evidence that support safe prescribing practice.
B2 Critically analyse the methods that can be utilised to improve prescribing practice
B3 Exercise critical judgement in the application of prescribing in a team context
B4 Reflect upon and critically analyse own learning and manage own continuing personal and professionaldevelopment in the context of prescribing and understand the limitations of own role
C1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theories and principles which inform the safe and effective assessment of the patient/service user that inform safe and effective prescribing practice
C2 Design and implement strategies for effective communication and interpersonal skills in the context of prescribing
C3 Adopt a critical approach to the process of monitoring and reviewing prescribing practice and evaluate those processes
C4 Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to achieve the competencies laid out with in the ‘Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Competency Framework for All Prescribers’

Course Structure

Level 7 Modules

Module Code Module Id Module Title Module Status Credit Value Module Type
CA4D012 MOD011651 Independent/ supplementary Prescribing for GPhC and HCPC registrants Running 40 core
CA4D013 MOD011652 Independent/ supplementary Prescribing for NMC registrants Running 40 core
CA4S034 MOD011770 Developing and Evidencing Prescribing Competence Running 20 optional
CA4S073 MOD009896 Professional Portfolio Development Running 20 optional

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Active/simulation basedSimulated patient scenarios in the simulation centre and in - class. Theory covered includes, for example, safe andeffective prescription writing and patient assessment.Lectures Traditional delivery of fundamental knowledge e.g. law and ethics, pharmacology theory, principles of de-prescribingSeminars Short series of sessions with experts in specific areas e.g. medical biochemist, former students and medical and non-medical prescribersTutorialsSupport from academic staff on assessment and pastoral / professional support. Development of critical reflective skills and application of prescribing knowledge to own area of practice.Group work NULLWork-basedTime spent learning with a practice supervisor, practice assessor or designated prescribing practitionerProject SupervisionNULLDemonstration NULLPractical Classes and WorkshopsGroup work that explores IPE issues, challenges of prescribing and numeracy preparationFieldworkNULLExternal Visits (including fieldtrips)NULLDirected Study (including Online Learning)Online materials for some topic areas such as therapeutics will be offered. Panopto captured lectures will be available for review and to provide additional materials.Independent Study Students are experienced healthcare professionals and time will be given to support the requirement for additionaltime in practice and study to achieve formative and summative assessment e.g. portfolio development, exam revision, research for critical analysis, etc. Time to develop regulatory mandated CPD relevant to prescribing.PlacementNULLStudy Abroad NULLFormative assessment- scheduled Practice ACEs, written exams and preparation of portfolio entriesFormative assessment- independentNULL

Employer Engagement

Employer Engagement will be achieved by:

Visiting Speakers

See section F above

Volunteering

Not Applicable – students are already employed as health care professionals.

Fieldwork

Not Applicable

Fieldtrips

Not Applicable

Work Placements

Modules CA4DXXX And CA4Dxxx have work placed learning incorporated which is formatively and summatively assessed.

Work-based Learning

Modules CA4DXXX And CA4Dxxx have work placed learning incorporated which is formatively and summatively assessed.

Sandwich Years

Not Applicable

Employer Forums

The course and its component modules have been put together in conjunction with independent sector employers e.g. Hafod, NHS University Health Boards and with the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST). The School’s Post – Registration partnership board serves as an operational and strategic conduit for engaging with employers and partners including service users.

Other

NULL

Means of Assessment

Learning Support

The learning support available through the course:

Induction

Students will have an induction at the beginning of the course. This will also include an induction to the services offered by the learning resource centre, study skills, advice zone staff and student services.

Personal Academic Coach

Students will be allocated a Personal Tutor to offer support and guidance with all aspects of the course. Students will also be nominated an academic assessor to fulfil the role of taking responsibility for a supporting learning in practice.

Practice Supervisor/Assessor

Students will have a nominated individual(s) from their practice setting to support and promote opportunities for the participant to develop their skills in relation to prescribing. The practice supervisors / assessors will be supported in their role by the course team. NMC registered nurses, midwives and SCPHNs undertaking the course will be allocated nominated Practice Supervisor(s), a Practice Assessor and Academic Assessor to support supervise and assess their learning and measure the achievement of prescribing competence. These individuals will have suitable qualifications and experience in relation to prescribing.

Office hours

Office hours and meetings with students will be flexible with due consideration of students working patterns.

Tutorials

Students will be offered one – to - one tutorial support and small group tutorial/ peer support for assessment. These tutorials will also help the student to apply core knowledge to their specific field of prescribing practice

Seminars

Seminars and workshops will form and essential elements of the face-to- face teaching and learning strategy.

Formative Assessment

All modules incorporate an element of formative assessment in order to support an ongoing dialogue with students as they develop their prescribing. Mock examinations will be offered along with support in developing and contextualising the competency framework to the students’ sphere of prescribing practice. This will be undertaken in class with peers and also in practice (though formative ACEs)

Progress meetings

Processes are in place during the module for students to meet with both their personal tutor, practice supervisor and academic assessors to support students in setting objectives, discussing progress and achievements. Progress will be reviewed by the personal tutor / Academic Assessor at fixed points in the year in order to monitor progress.
Attendance in learning and teaching sessions is required and evidence of attendance (or catching up) will be closely monitored by the team. JISC learner analytics will be utilised to evidence key quantitative elements

Research Supervision

Not applicable – there is no research component to these modules.

Online Resources

All modules are supported by UniLearn, the University’s integrated system which supports learning and teaching activities through technology. As a course team we are committed to the use of such technologies to enhance learning and will be providing an experiential appreciation of best practice through the use of a variety of technologies and supported reflective discussion. We will meet the minimum VLE requirements for modules and course organisations set by the University. As the prescribing course is delivered through a blended approach, structured activities will be managed by the team as well as more support towards self-directed study.

Advice Centres

Students will be directed to the Advice Zone in the course handbook and this will be discussed during the induction. Personal tutors will signpost students to other centres for advice e.g. Health Board based services.

DDS Service

The DDS provides a confidential and professional service where students discuss individual requirements on their terms relating to physical, sensory, mental health or unseen disability. All students will be made aware of services available to them in the course handbook and this will be discussed during induction.

IT/Library

Students will have access to all University resources both on and off campus. Students have access to Findit, online resources and hard copy reservation. The School of Care Sciences supports learning resources in its partner Health Boards.

Course Exit Points

Award Criteria Final
Postgraduate Certificate 60 credits with at least 40 at Level 7 and no more than 20 at Level 6 Final

Progression Route

The following progression routes are available:MSc Professional practice

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

For postgraduate courses the entry requirements can be found via a search on the University’s website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/

Students must be registered health care professionals and be able to demonstrate evidence of regular updating and CPD within their role and have up-to-date knowledge,

Prior to application each participant will be required to evidence that they meet the entry criteria stipulated by their respective registrant body (GPhC, HCPC and NMC).

RPL of the theoretical aspects of modules will require the applicant to demonstrate and provide evidence of how they meet the learning outcomes of the modules and how they can apply these to their intended field of practice. This evidence will be assessed by the allocated Academic Assessor in collaboration with the Course Leader, approved by the External Examiner.

Each applicant will be assessed regarding the amount of RPL that can be approved.

Will students be required to undergo a DBS check? Yes (eDBS)

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A

Methods Of Quality Standards

N/A

Quality Of Standards Indicators

N/A