Programme Specification PG Cert Non-Medical Prescribing Valid from: January 2014 Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION Awarding body: Teaching institution and location: Final award: Programme title: Interim exit awards and award titles: Brookes course code: UCAS/UKPASS code: JACS code: Mode of delivery: Mode/s of study: Language of study: Relevant QAA subject benchmark statement/s: External accreditation/recognition: (applicable to programmes with professional body approval) Faculty managing the programme: Date of production (or most recent revision) of specification: Oxford Brookes University Oxford Brookes University PG Certificate Non-Medical Prescribing N/A HC52 P038300 N/A Face to Face Part Time English None Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Health and Life Sciences January 2014
SECTION 2: OVERVIEW AND PROGRAMME AIMS 2.1 Rationale for/distinctiveness of the programme Non-medical prescribers work within a clinical arena and make decisions on the prescription of medications based on a thorough assessment and review of a patient s clinical history and presentation. This programme will equip practitioners with the knowledge and skills to be able to take a comprehensive history and a full assessment of a patient and apply the relevant prescribing decision for the management of the patient. The skills and knowledge developed within this programme are those essential for safe and effective clinical practice. This programme of study is for qualified registered Nurses and Midwives, Podiatrists/Chiropodists and Physiotherapists who wish to practise as Independent and Supplementary Prescribers. To this end the programme curriculum ensures there is an emphasis on practice-focussed learning throughout, with learning and assessments being based around practice and the workplace. Thus, the programme identifies the importance of developing the clinical, professional and decision-making skills to facilitate the transferability of the course to direct service provision. Within the programme, the influences of a global academic and work environment on the development, delivery and evaluation of health care is explored. The curriculum content is informed by relevant international research and evidence-based literature. International literature is also used as comparative material, in helping students to expand the breadth of their studies and develop a depth of critical analysis and evaluation. Students are seen as partners within the programme delivery. Implicit within this is the recognition and appreciation of the knowledge, skills, experience, abilities and strengths brought by each student to a group of professional colleagues. The programme identifies the importance of the individual person within the educational process and the journey of life-long learning from both a personal and professional perspective. 2.2 Aim/s of the programme The central aims of the programme are: To challenge and extend the knowledge, skills and attitudes of health care professionals in relation to assessment, diagnosis and prescribing or treatment, in order that they can assess patients and prescribe and evaluate their care To prepare, support and develop health care practitioners to incorporate the NMC or HCPC standards for prescribing practice into their professional work and develop health care services as a result. SECTION 3: PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES On satisfactory completion of the programme, students will be able to: 1. Academic Literacy
Demonstrate sound, evidence-based, ethical decision making in partnership with patients/clients, carers, colleagues and agencies, with appropriate professional accountability (also contributes to GA 2&3). Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of health care policy in relation to patient/client care and treatment (also contributes to GA 2,3,&5) Integration of new and existing skills in caring for their patient/client group including assessment, prescribing and evaluation of treatment (also contributes to GA 3&5) Demonstrate robust understanding and application of the legal and professional frameworks for Non-medical Prescribing practice (also contributes to GA 3) 2. Research Literacy Critically appraise, apply and attribute relevant evidence from a variety of sources to underpin the evidence-base for their practice and maintain the clinical governance framework (also contributes to GA 1,3,4,&5) 3. Critical Self-awareness and personal literacy Reflect on the progression of their own beliefs and values in the context of planning, delivering, evaluating and developing health care (also contributes to GA 1&2) Show sensitivity to cultural and lifestyle diversity and an approach to practice that is inclusive and respectful of all individuals or groups within society (also contributes to GA 5) Engage in and promote effective inter-professional teamwork in order to enhance health care provision for their patient/client group (also contributes to GA 5) Appreciate the different approaches to health care delivery internationally in relation to assessment, diagnosis and prescribing by non-medical prescribers. 4. Digital and information literacy Use appropriate technology to search for and critically evaluate high quality information relevant to advanced practice and Non-Medical Prescribing (also contributes to GA 1&2) 5. Global citizenship Engage in online learning activities, developing confidence in e-learning abilities, and becoming an active member of the on-line community (also contributes to GA 1&3) SECTION 4: PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND CURRICULUM 4.1 Programme structure and requirements: The course is comprised of 2 compulsory level 7 modules equating to 60 credits: Module Number P44011 P44050 Module Name Semester Credit Status Award Advanced history taking and assessment Non-Medical Prescribing (V300) 1 or 2 20 Compulsory PG Cert P44011, P44050 or P44051 1 or 2 40 Alternative Compulsory
OR P44051 Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for AHPs 1 or 2 40 Alternative Compulsory NB: Practitioners on the NMC register take P44050 and Practitioners on the HCPC register take P44051 (currently podiatrists/chiropodist or physiotherapist) 4.2 Professional requirements Module P44050 is required in order to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as an Independent and Supplementary Prescriber Module P44051 is required in order to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council as an Independent and Supplementary Prescriber Students taking this module need to demonstrate they have meet the professional course prerequisites before being accepted onto this module All candidates will be required to pass ALL components of the assessment, prior to the NMC or HCPC register being annotated to indicate successful completion of the programme for qualification as an Independent and Supplementary Prescriber. SECTION 5: PROGRAMME DELIVERY 5.1 Teaching, Learning, and Assessment The teaching, learning, and assessment strategy of the programme reflects its interprofessional, studentcentred, patient-centred, and practice-focused approach. Each module has an appropriate division between structured learning activities and private study. Opportunities for sharing existing and developing skills, knowledge and experience, are maximised. In order to make the most of the range of experience, skills and knowledge within the group, a variety of teaching and learning strategies will be employed. This is to encourage development of critical self-awareness and personal literacy within the context of both academic and research literacy. How teaching and learning strategies link with the post graduate attributes is demonstrated in the following: 1. Academic Literacy 2. Research Literacy 3. Critical self-awareness and personal literacy 4. Digital and information literacy 5. Global citizenship
Critical self-reflection is encouraged as a means of keeping a focus on the development of individual practice (1, 2, 3) An opportunity to negotiate the specific details of some assessments to ensure that they are relevant to the development of the students health care practice (1-5) Group activities (e.g. seminars, workshops, presentations) are used as a means of sharing knowledge, experience and skills, developing critical skills, and emphasising the interprofessional nature of health care (1-5) Presentation skills are developed through student-led presentations to peers, and some of the assessments (1-4) Portfolios and profiling are used as a means of showing evidence of developing skills, knowledge and experience, of personal achievement, and providing the tangible building blocks for life-long learning (1-5) Assessment Assessment plays a key role in ensuring development and demonstrates the required knowledge and skills to successfully complete the programme. The University has developed Assessment Compact to make explicit what the expectation of the University is in terms of assessment and gaining feedback on performance as well as responsibilities for in engaging in these processes. Assessments are used to give an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge as well as the critical and reflective analysis required for professional practice. The assessment strategy for the Non-Medical Prescribing V300 course is set by the NMC / HCPC and Department of Health. Note: The V300 module must be completed within 12 months of the start date. If the practitioner has not completed all assessments within the allocated time, they must undertake the module again, including all assessments, to ensure that competence has been maintained. All assessments will provide an opportunity to experience a range of post graduate attributes that will prove valuable in the student s future career. 5.2 Assessment regulations The programme conforms to the University Regulations: http://www.brookes.ac.uk/brookesnet/graduateoffice/documents/pgtregs2010.pdf SECTION 6: ADMISSIONS 6.1 Entry criteria The entry criteria for the programme are dependent on the professional body guidelines. Nurses and Midwives: The requirements needed to undertake this course are set by the NMC.
To be accepted onto the course you must: Be a Registered Nurse, Specialist Community Public Health Nurse or Midwife whose name is held on the relevant part of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register. Have at least three years post-registration experience and be deemed competent by your employer to undertake the course. Of these 3 years, the year immediately preceding application to the course must have been in the clinical field in which you intend to prescribe. Have current Occupational Health clearance Be able to study at Level 7 (M level) Have reached agreement with a Medical Prescriber to provide twelve days of practice supervision Have the support of your employer who will confirm that your post is one in which you will have the need and opportunity to act as an independent or supplementary prescriber Have access to a prescribing budget to meet the costs of your prescriptions on completion of the course Have access to continuing professional development Have up-to-date IT skills The following requirement applies to all students: If the normal language for a student is not English, standard Oxford Brookes University Entry Criteria will apply. i.e students will be asked to provide evidence of English achievement at British Language - IELTS band 7 Chiropodists/Podiatrists and Physiotherapists The requirements needed to undertake this course are set by the HCPC and Department of Health To be accepted onto the course you must: Be a Registered Chiropodist/Podiatrist or Physiotherapist whose name is held on the relevant part of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration record. Be working at an advanced practitioner or equivalent level and have at least 3 years relevant post-qualification experience in the clinical area in which they will be prescribing. Be professionally practising in an environment where there is an identified need for the individual to regularly use independent / supplementary prescribing. Be able to demonstrate how they reflect on their own performance and take responsibility for their own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) including development of networks for support, reflection and learning. Have reached agreement with a designated medical practitioner (DMP) to provide 90 hours (12 days) of supervised practice. The DMP must be recognised by the employer / commissioning organisation as having: experience in the relevant field of practice training and experience in the supervision, support and assessment of trainees and agreed to: provide the student with opportunities to develop competence in prescribing supervise, support and assess the student during their practice experience Have the support of your employer / sponsor who will confirm: that your post is one in which you will have the need and opportunity to act as an independent or supplementary prescriber
The practitioner will have appropriate supervised practice in the clinical area in which they are expected to prescribe Appropriate medicines governance / clinical governance arrangements are in place to support safe and effective independent and supplementary prescribing. Be able to study at Level 7 (Masters level) The following requirement applies to all students: If the normal language for a student is not English, standard Oxford Brookes University Entry Criteria will apply. i.e students will be asked to provide evidence of English achievement at British Language - IELTS band 7 6.2 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Nurses and Midwives accessing the Non-medical Prescribing (V300) module (P44050) MUST have a current satisfactory full enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (within the last 3 years of the course start date): a copy of the current disclosure should be submitted with the application to the programme. Chiropodists/podiatrists and physiotherapists accessing the Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for AHP s (V300) module (P44051) MUST have a current satisfactory full enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (within the last 3 months of the course start date): a copy of the current disclosure should be submitted with the application to the programme. SECTION 7: STUDENT SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE Sources of help and advice include: Students are invited to a programme induction in Week 0 of semester Course and supervisor handbooks are provided at induction Module Guides are available online and students are provided with instruction about how to access them Subject Co-ordinator/Academic Adviser is responsible for the day to day management of the short course, advising students on their progression Module Leaders will provide information related to the module and be responsible to the programme lead for the quality of the learning experience for students undertaking the module Students are advised to seek the guidance of a clinical supervisor who could be responsible for supporting the student in practice throughout module P44011. Students must have a Medical Supervisor for module P44050 / 44051; who will be required to undertake practice assessment, and should support and challenge the student in their professional learning and development. Study skills development and library services are accessible Student support co-ordinators provide advice on using university services and pastoral care Programme administrator for queries about applications, enrolment or funding OBIS for IT/computer access issues Digital and learning technologists for advice and support in engaging with online learning activities
SECTION 8: GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY Students who have completed this programme have been employed into advanced practice posts within a wide range of health care settings. SECTION 9: LINKS WITH EMPLOYERS Valuable aspects of the programme team are the personnel who hold joint posts with both the university and local NHS trusts. Members of the team either engage in research or undertake clinical practice relevant to the programme. The programme leader has regular contact with all trusts within Health Education Thames Valley and is actively involved in the partnership with research and education with a large local teaching trust. The NMP / P44050/P44051 module leader has regular contact with NMP leads / Trust Education Leads across the region. All students studying on this programme have a requirement to be employed in a relevant clinical setting and have their managers and Non-Medical Prescribing Lead s support to undertake the programme thus ensuring close links with the programme team and employers. NHS trusts that regularly support students to complete the programme are invited to programme development meetings and annual reviews to ensure partnership working. SECTION 10: QUALITY MANAGEMENT Indicators of quality/methods for evaluating the quality of provision include: The PG Cert in Non-medical Prescribing is administered with other NMP programmes in the Department of Clinical Health Care Quality will be evaluated via external examiner reports; annual and periodic programme review; student module evaluation; stakeholder engagement, such as the Trust Education Leads and partners within the Trusts where students are employed. Student representation will be managed via the subject co-ordinator. Indicators of quality/methods for evaluating the quality of provision The Programme Committee consists of: A chair (usually the Subject Co-ordinator) The programme leader Module team members Student representatives, elected by students from each course cohort Subject Librarian from Oxford Brookes University User group representatives (where possible) The Programme Committee, which meets once each semester, is specifically responsible for: Dealing with any matters of programme administration, teaching and student support Reviewing the module evaluations for each module Making appropriate recommendations for changes in modules or programme rules Nominating external examiners
Module Review Throughout the modules students will be given an opportunity to evaluate how things are going. At the end of each module students will be asked to contribute to a formal module evaluation. The module leader will produce a module review drawn from these evaluations, and will form part of an annual programme review. Module evaluation is regarded as an important contribution to the on-going development of the course content and to the quality of learning opportunities. Annual Review The process of annual review allows for a critical appraisal of all of the courses, including strengths, limitations, achievements, areas of concern and areas for improvement, leading to an action plan for the subsequent year. The preparation of the annual review will involve all course team members and feedback from students in order to produce a balanced and informed judgement about the programme. The review will be submitted to the Faculty Board for consideration and to inform the Faculty annual review. External Examiner Each module has an external examiner who is responsible for taking an overview of the quality of the student learning experience. This includes regularly seeing examples of students assessed work, and the feedback given to them, as well as an opportunity to visit them in clinical practice if requested. Both external examiners are consulted on any proposed changes to the PG Cert award.