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Independent/Supplementary Prescribing (V300) - Undergraduate Level 6

This programme is designed to prepare students to work as an independent/supplementary prescriber.

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Overview

This programme is designed to prepare nurses (Level 1) and midwives registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as well as physiotherapists /podiatrists/paramedics or therapeutic radiographers registered with the Health Care professions Council (HCPC) to register as Independent/Supplementary Prescriber on completion of the programme.

In addition, dieticians and diagnostic radiographers registered with the HCPC can register as a Supplementary Prescriber on completion of the programme. The Prescribing Competency Framework.

On successful completion the student will be awarded 45 credits at level 6 in addition to the professional qualification. Alternatively, this programme can be studied as a postgraduate (level 7).

Pharmacists wishing to undertake the prescribing programme should visit the practice certificate in Prescribing for Pharmacists page.

One of the major changes promoted within the NHS 5 Year Forward plan is the changing roles of nurses/midwives and allied health professionals who with appropriate training can undertake some of the roles previously under taken by doctors. The Independent/Supplementary Prescribing (V300) programme addresses this by preparing nurses/midwives and allied health professionals to prescribe.

The programme has been validated by the NMC and prepares students to prescribe from the BNF within their competency and professional bodies’ authorisation.

The curriculum has been designed with expert advice from a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and academics to address the academic and clinical demands of the role of a prescriber.

The programme is designed to have a 50:50 split between theory and practice. You will be taught general principles in class, but will need to relate these to your own practice area with the support of your practice supervisor and practice assessor. You must complete 12 days (84 hours) in a supernumerary capacity observing a variety of prescribing decisions. The student will be allocated time for these practice days but is responsible for organising suitable experiences to enhance their knowledge.

How to apply

Initially contact your education and prescribing lead, as they will need to be involved in approving your application and interviewing with the university.

Complete the online application form. Once it has been processed you will be asked to complete a number of appendices.

Application forms and guidance notes
Application form appendices

For further information contact

Hilary Field
Senior Lecturer
T: 0116 201 3892
E:  hfield@dmu.ac.uk

  • UK
  • EU/International

Institution code: D26

Module codes:

  • PRES 3005
  • PRES 3006

Duration: Attendance is one day per week on a Tuesday.

There is a programme induction day at the beginning of the programme.

Link to taught days

Fees and funding: Those working in the NHS may be eligible for funding from the Education Commission Unit of the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority.

Learning Beyond Registration funding

Additional costs: You may incur additional costs for this programme, including the cost of travelling to and from project/placement locations.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

This course is not currently available to international students.

Entry criteria

    Candidates should:
  • Be a nurse (level 1) or midwife registered with the NMC or a physiotherapist/podiatrist/ paramedic/ therapeutic radiographer/ dietician or diagnostic radiographer registered with the HCPC
  • Possess 120 credits at level 5 (or equivalent)
  • Have been on the relevant professional register for a minimum of one year
  • Be competent in: patient assessment, diagnostics, planning and evaluation of care
  • Have the support of a suitably qualified practice supervisor and practice assessor
  • If English is not the applicant’s first language they must complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The applicant must provide an IELTS certificate to confirm a minimum score of 7.0, in reading, listening and speaking as well as a level 6.5 in writing
  • Have the support of a prescriber willing to take on the role of continuing professional development facilitator on qualification
  • Have, if applicable, managerial and non-medical prescribing lead support (for self-employed candidates this is not required but a professional reference is required instead.)
  • Complete a placement audit for their practice area
  • Complete a  good health good character form
  • Have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check within 3 years of start of the Programme
  • Be interviewed by the prescribing team/practice staff

For information about the requirements for the role of practice supervisor and practice assessor please click here.

 

UCAS Tariff changes

Students applying for courses starting in September 2021 will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

Academic expertise

 

 

In order to achieve the professional qualification of Independent/Supplementary (V300) Prescriber students must pass 2 modules:

PRES 3005 Applied Prescribing

PRES 3006 Pharmacology for Prescribers.

PRES 3005 Applied Prescribing Module

This is a 30 credit module taught over 2 semesters.

It is assessment by the completion of:

  • practice portfolio  (pass/fail)
  • two reflections of 1,500 words each (pass mark 40%)

The practice portfolio is assessed by the practice assessor in conjunction with the practice supervisor and academic assessor and is designed to ensure that you meet the competencies contained within “A competency Framework for all prescribers” (Royal Pharmaceutical Society, 2016)

PRES 3006 Pharmacology for Prescribers Module

This is a 15 credit module and is assessed by:

  • 30 minute numeracy exam (pass mark 100%)
  • 2 hour pharmacology exam (pass mark 80%)
  • 2000 word assignment (pass mark 40%)

As you are studying at undergraduate level you are expected to take responsibility for your own learning and contextualising the information given in class to your own specific practice area.

You will be taught alongside students studying at post graduate level and will benefit from inter-professional learning as students from a variety of specialities and professional background are taught together. The teaching is a mix of lectures, tutorials, action learning sets and self-directed study. The timetable will vary but you can expect approximately 4 hours taught information per week and approximately 4 hours private study a week.  Students can find the pharmacology challenging particularly if it is a new subject, so you will need to re-visit these lecture notes to consolidate your learning 

Link to actual taught days

Our academic team comprises a wide range of nurse prescribers from a variety of practice backgrounds this is further strengthened by our pharmacy lecturers form our school of pharmacy, some of whom are also prescribers. 

This provides a wealth of experience and knowledge to support a stimulating and challenging learning experience. We also access visiting speakers for certain specialist expertise from practice settings.

Facilities and features

 
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Health and Life Sciences 

facilities

Substantial investment has developed our teaching and learning facilities to help you expand your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom.

The 19th century Hawthorn Building has facilities designed to replicate current practice in health and life sciences, including contemporary analytical chemistry and formulation laboratories, audiology booths and nursing and midwifery clinical skills suites.

Purpose-built clinical skills areas allow you to practice in a safe environment. You will receive guidance and support from staff to ensure that you develop a precise and accurate practical ability in the clinical skills suites.

Library

We have 1,500 study places and 650 computer workstations across four sites on campus.

During term time the main Kimberlin Library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, giving access to more than half a million publications and a wide range of DVDs, as well as e-resources and thousands of electronic journals. Award-winning staff are on hand to help and there is a café for study breaks.

We offer a range of workshops, drop-ins and one-to-one sessions, plus our Just Ask service provides email or telephone support.

Learning zones

Our comfortable and well-equipped study areas provide a range of environments to suit your needs.

Originally set up in our main Kimberlin Library, the learning zones proved so popular that more were created in the Eric Wood building and Greenhouse. These flexible spaces are ideal whether you are working as a group, practising a presentation or working quietly on your own.

They feature workstations with power supplies for laptops, plus bookable syndicate rooms with interactive whiteboards and DVD players. Eduroam wi-fi is available across all campus locations.

Opportunities and careers

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How to apply

Initially contact your education and prescribing lead as they will need to involved in approving your application and interviewing with the University. 

Download the generic application form and combined enrolment form and then appendix that relates to Independent/Supplementary Prescribing

Once all sections are completed then contact the programme leader to arrange an interview and bring the application form to this interview.

Application forms and guidance notes
Application form appendices

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Graduate Careers

This recordable qualification for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals will be a valuable asset in your professional toolkit. It is designed to prepare advanced and specialist practitioners with the critical thinking skills to practice as safe and effective prescribers to enhance the patient journey and contribute effectively to the prescribing team. 

From a professional development perspective you may wish to undertake this programme as part of an honours route and will need to discuss this at interview to ensure you enrol on the Health and Professional Practice BSc (Hons) where these 60 credits can be used.

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International experiences can help you differentiate yourself in an increasingly competitive graduate jobs market. We offer fantastic opportunities throughout Europe and further afield which will help you gain invaluable educational, work-related and cultural experiences through our #DMUglobal and Erasmus schemes.

Recent global experiences have included summer schools in Turkey, Japan and South Korea, giving students the opportunity to learn alongside students from around the world, study unique modules and explore the cities of Istanbul, Fukuoka and Seoul.

 

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We welcome applications from UK and international students with a wide range of qualifications and experience. We are happy to help guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have. 

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