Programme Specification. Postgraduate Certificate in Non-Medical Prescribing/Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing (Level 7, Level M)

Transcription

1 Programme Specification Title: Postgraduate Certificate in Non-Medical Prescribing/Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing (Level 7, Level M) Final Award: Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) With Exit Awards at: Page 1/17

2 Table Of Contents 1. Introduction Basic Programme Data Programme Description Overview Aims and Objectives Variations to Standard Regulations and Guidance Programme Outcomes Knowledge and Understanding Subject Specific Intellectual Skills Subject Specific Practical Skills Transferable Skills and Attributes Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies Learning and Teaching Strategy Assessment Strategy Programme Structure Appendix I - Curriculum Map Appendix II - Assessment Map Appendix III - Benchmark Analysis Appendix IV - Benchmark Statements(s) Page 2/17

3 1. Introduction This document describes one of the University of Lincoln's programmes using the protocols required by the UK National Qualifications Framework as defined in the publication QAA guidelines for preparing programme specifications. This programme operates under the policy and regulatory frameworks of the University of Lincoln. Page 3/17

4 2. Basic Programme Data Final Award: Programme Title: Exit Awards and Titles Subject(s) Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) Postgraduate Certificate in Non-Medical Prescribing/Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing (Level 7, Level M) Nursing Mode(s) of delivery Part Time Is there a Placement or Exchange? UCAS code Awarding Body Campus(es) School(s) Programme Leader Relevant Subject Benchmark Statements Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body Accreditation University of Lincoln Lincoln Campus Programme Start Date School of Health and Social Care Dianne Ramm (dramm) General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Page 4/17

5 3. Programme Description 3.1 Overview This Postgraduate Certificate in Non-Medical Prescribing Programme prepares students to prescribe within both independent and supplementary frameworks. It provides the main theoretical perspectives associated with evidence-based therapeutics, the consultation process including concordance and the legal, ethical and professional issues associated with the prescribing role. In the short term, this Programme will be available at both Level 6 (degree level) and Level 7 (masters level). However, following the implementation of the national Nursing and Midwifery Council All Degree agenda in 2013, the aspiration is for this Programme to focus less on Level 6 and to move increasingly towards provision at Level 7. This Programme will be only be offered to Pharmacists at level 7 (masters level). This programme supports the application of theoretical knowledge to practice by providing a period of supervised clinical experience in which each student will work alongside and be assessed by, their Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP). This enables students to develop their skills and the specific competencies required to prescribe safely, effectively and appropriately within their own area of professional expertise. The Programme will only be offered to pharmacists at level 7 (masters level). Pharmacists will be required to successfully complete a specific type of practical assessment, referred to as a 'Live Clinical Assessment'(LCA) rather than the Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which is completed by nurses and eligible AHPs. Pharmacists will therefore be required to undertake the module entitled 'The Consultation for Pharmacists', in which the LCA forms one of the assessed elements, rather than 'The Consultation' which is designed for nurses and AHPSs. The remaining two modules within the programme will be completed by all students. This programme is based on the National Prescribing Centre single competency framework (NPC. 2012) which identifies a core set of competencies underpinning prescribing practice, regardless of professional background. 3.2 Aims and Objectives Aim: This education programme prepares nurses, midwives, pharmacists and allied health care professionals to prescribe safely, appropriately and cost-effectively as a nonmedical prescriber. Objectives: On completion of this programme students will be able to; Identify the essential principles of clinical pharmacology, therapeutics and evidence-based medicine relevant to their areas of practice Demonstrate clinical decision making skills for prescribers Discuss critically the concept of concordance Page 5/17

6 Demonstrate skills required for effective consultation Discuss critically theoretical perspectives associated with legal, professional and ethical prescribing practice, accountability and responsibility. Demonstrate ability to apply safely their understanding of theoretical concepts into clinical practice within protected periods of clinical experience under the supervision and assessment of a Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP). Prescribe from the British National Formulary according to their designated prescribing role (supplementary and/or independent prescriber) as agreed with their employer and as recorded/annotated by their professional organisation. Demonstrate reflective practice in their clinical prescribing role 3.3 Variations to Standard Regulations and Guidance Yes - see the Approved Variations to the University's Undergraduate Regulations: Page 6/17

7 4. Programme Outcomes Programme-level learning outcomes are identified below. Refer to Appendix I Curriculum Map for details of how outcomes are deployed across the programme. 4.1 Knowledge and Understanding On successful completion of this programme a student will have knowledge and understanding of: 1 Up-to-date clinical, pharmacological and pharmaceutical approaches relevant to their own area of practice 2 Prescribing practice in relation to scope of practice, organisational, professional and regulatory standards, guidance and codes of conduct 3 Local and national policies, processes and systems that impact on prescribing practice and how prescribing impacts on the wider healthcare community 4 Sources of evidence-based information available to inform prescribing practice 4.2 Subject Specific Intellectual Skills On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to: 1 Make or review a diagnosis, generate management options for the patient and follow up management 2 Demonstrate awareness of own limitations and act to promote patient safety 3 Reflect critically on professional, legal and ethical issues associated with prescribing practice 4 Develop, document and critically evaluate clinical management plans in the context of the prescribing partnership 4.3 Subject Specific Practical Skills On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to: 1 Establish a relationship based on trust and mutual respect, recognising patients as partners in the consultation 2 Actively participate in the review and development of prescribing practice to optimise patient outcomes 3 Work in partnership with colleagues for the benefit of patients 4 Demonstrate self-awareness and emerging confidence in their own ability to prescribe 4.4 Transferable Skills and Attributes On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to: Page 7/17

8 1 Access and apply appropriate and effective information and communication technologies 2 Analyse critically their personal, professional and educational learning objectives and evaluate their own professional development 3 Communicate effectively in writing and verbally, demonstrating an understanding of the importance of accurate, legible and contemporaneous record keeping 4 Make use of networks for support, reflection and learning For details of each module contributing to the programme, please consult the module specification document. Page 8/17

9 5. Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies 5.1. Learning and Teaching Strategy Learning and teaching approaches include interactive lectures and small group work, case studies, scenarios, student presentations, independent access to on-line NMP resources and individual tutorials. In addition, experiential learning in clinical practice will include student observation and supervised consultations with service users. Preparation for practical assessment (OSCE or LCA) will include inter-professional simulation activities using the University simulation suites that provide primary care facilities including bedsit/home environments and simulated secondary care/ward learning environments. Practice-based learning is integral to the programme and students are provided with opportunities to observe prescribing-in-action. This includes all aspects of medicines management, and involves the student negotiating to spend time with a range of non- medical prescribers, dispensing pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, as well as medical prescribers. Students will apply principles of prescribing to their practice and reflect on their acquisition of skills by compiling a portfolio of evidence. However, they may not prescribe until they have successfully completed the programme and have recorded their qualification with their relevant regulatory body -NMC, GPhC or HCPC Assessment Strategy There are six parts to the assessment of this NMP Programme. A pass in each part is required to qualify as a prescriber. There is no compensation. Competence will be demonstrated through an assessment of theory and practice. Students must undertake and successfully complete all of the assessments detailed below. If a student fails to answer correctly any question that may result in direct harm to a patient/client they will fail the assessment attempt. Pharmacist students are subject to the following GPHC requirement: In any assessment, a failure to identify a serious problem, or the production of an answer which would cause harm to a patient, will result in an overall failure of the programme. 6.2 Assessment of Theory 1) Module 1: The Consultation (for nurses and AHPs) An objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), a systematic and detailed examination of practice within a simulated learning environment. Pass/Fail or Module 1a: The Consultation for Pharmacists (for pharmacists only) A Live Clinical Assessment (LCA), a systematic and detailed examination of practice within a simulated learning environment. Students will progress to the Live Clinical Assessment on successful submission of satisfactory mid-point competencies within supervised practice. The LCA will take place a maximum of three times spread across the second half of the course curriculum and the Page 9/17

10 student will be required to pass two. There are four additional stands for pharmacists only. These assess competence in the accurate taking and recording of physiological measurements. Pass/Fail 2) Twenty short answer and multiple-choice questions (MCQ) to test pharmacological knowledge and its application to practice. Students must achieve a minimum mark of 80% to pass. 3) Students must pass a numeracy assessment as part of the application process. The pass mark for this is 80%. In addition, students must sit an examination which places numerical assessment within the context of prescribing practice. Students must achieve 100% in this examination to pass. Pass/Fail 4) Module 2: Prescribing Effectively A 3000 word in-depth case study within which students discuss critically the professional, legal and ethical issues associated with Non Medical Prescribing. 5) Module 3: Prescribing in Context A 2000 word written paper which exemplifies reflection on action and focuses on the care of a patient in the student s own area of clinical practice. 6.3 Assessment of Practice 6) A portfolio of evidence that comprises a log of the practice hours successfully completed together with a cumulative total, and provides the rationale for the prescribing decisions observed in practice. Supporting evidence will relate to numeracy skills, competence when writing prescriptions and reflective accounts on prescribing practice in a range of scenarios. The assessment of practice addresses the student s ability to apply prescribing principles to their own specialist area of practice (NMC. 2006). This is completed by the Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP). The student negotiates with the DMP regarding the type and extent of the evidence required in order for them to meet the requirements of each competency that are set within the assessment documentation. Formative assessment of practice is provided by the DMP and this is documented in a mid-point assessment, showing the areas of strengths and identifying areas that need to be developed. The evidence provided demonstrates student achievement of the competencies required for safe, effective and appropriate prescribing, a pre- requisite for the sign-off by the DMP that the student is competent to prescribe medicines in their area of practice, which occurs on successful completion of their practice experience. Pass/Fail 6.4 Marking and Feedback Page 10/17

11 The Programme is offered at Level 6 (Degree Level) and at Level 7 (Masters Level). The numeracy Examination, OSCE/LCA and practice elements are assessed using the same marking criteria at both degree and masters levels. However, the Pharmacology Examination, the In-Depth Case Study and the Reflective Paper are marked using the University M Level marking criteria for students undertaking the NMP Programme at Masters Level. For all assessments, feedback will be given to enable students to identify areas where the student might make improvements in terms of pharmacological knowledge and/or its application. Page 11/17

12 6. Programme Structure Masters Title Credit Rating Core / Optional Prescribing in Context Core Prescribing Effectively Core The Consultation Optional The Consultation for Pharmacists Optional Page 12/17

13 Appendix I - Curriculum Map This table indicates which modules assume responsibility for delivering and ordering particular programme learning outcomes. Key: Delivered and Assessed Delivered Assessed Masters Prescribing Effectively Prescribing in Context The Consultation The Consultation for Pharmacists Prescribing Effectively Prescribing in Context The Consultation The Consultation for Pharmacists PO1 PO1 PO1 PO1 PO2 PO2 PO2 PO2 PO3 PO3 PO3 PO3 PO4 PO4 PO4 PO4 Page 13/17

14 Appendix II - Assessment Map This table indicates the spread of assessment activity across the programme. Percentages indicate assessment weighting. Masters Prescribing Effectively Prescribing in Context The Consultation The Consultation for Pharmacists Prescribing Effectively Prescribing in Context The Consultation The Consultation for Pharmacists Prescribing Effectively Prescribing in Context The Consultation The Consultation for Pharmacists Prescribing Effectively Prescribing in Context The Consultation The Consultation for Pharmacists EP 1 (Wk EP 2 (Wks Page 14/17

15 Prescribing Effectively Prescribing in Context The Consultation The Consultation for Pharmacists ) 33, 34, 35) Page 15/17

16 Appendix III - Benchmark Analysis This table maps programme learning outcomes to relevant QAA subject benchmark statements or PSRB guidelines. Knowledge and Understanding Subject Specific Intellectual Skills Subject Specific Practical Skills Transferable Skills and Attributes Page 16/17

17 Powered by TCPDF ( University of Lincoln Programme Specification - Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) Postgraduate Certificate in Appendix IV: Benchmark Benchmark Statement(s) Page 17/17