Non-Medical Prescribing (Independent/Supplementary Prescribing) module (PN50228)

Non-medical prescribing extends the range of healthcare professionals who can prescribe medicines, improving patient access to timely, effective treatment. This module prepares eligible nurses, midwives, specialist community public health nurses, and eligible allied health professionals to meet the requirements of their professional and statutory regulatory body (NMC or HCPC) and become annotated as a prescriber on their professional register. Dietitians may complete the module as supplementary prescribers only.

You will explore consultation models, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, medicines governance, antimicrobial stewardship, and the legal basis for prescribing practice. Teaching for the September intake combines classroom sessions on campus and online learning. The teaching for the January intake will be delivered entirely online. In addition to these, you will complete a minimum of 90 hours of supervised practice with a named Practice Assessor (NMC) or Practice Educator (HCPC) in your own clinical setting.

Entry to this module requires employer support, at least one year of post-registration experience, and a named Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor (NMC) or Practice Educator (HCPC) who meet eligibility criteria.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• Evaluate psychosocial influences and ethical prescribing principles and apply these to clinical practice
• Practise within a framework of accountability, applying relevant legislation, policy, and prescribing roles
• Apply pharmacological knowledge to prescribe safely, appropriately, and cost-effectively
• Assess and interpret clinical and consultation skills across the life course to reach shared prescribing decisions
• Practise prescribing as part of a multidisciplinary team and support communication networks involved in prescribing, supplying, and administering medicines
• Use evidence-based practice and clinical governance in relation to non-medical prescribing

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Evaluate psychosocial influences and ethical prescribing principles and use this knowledge to support clinical practice
• Practise within a framework of accountability and responsibility by applying relevant legislation and policy, and demonstrate appraisal of knowledge in different prescribing roles
• Apply pharmacological knowledge about medications to prescribing practice including generating prescriptions safely, appropriately, and cost-effectively
• Assess and interpret clinical and consultation skills across the life course, reaching shared decisions and specifically considering prescribing options
• Practise prescribing skills as part of multidisciplinary team integration and support communication networks involved in prescribing, supplying, and administering medicines
•  Work within your scope of practice and show professional accountability as a prescriber

Assignments / assessments

Practice-based learning portfolio (100%)

• A portfolio demonstrating achievement of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society competency framework outcomes, including a drug profile, a completed clinical management plan, evidence of writing two prescriptions
• 90 logged hours to demonstrate completion of supervised practice-based learning
• All practice competencies, including systematic and detailed examination in practice, must be passed
• Declaration of achievement of competence form signed by PA/PE and manager.

Pharmacology written examination (online) (Pass/Fail)

• An online written examination covering pharmacology, therapeutics, and prescription governance (80% pass mark required)

Numeracy assessment (online, 30 minutes) (Pass/Fail)

• An online numeracy assessment related to prescribing and calculation of medicines (100% pass mark required)

 A 3,000-word reflective account submitted via Turnitin 

• Pass (D3 or above) the 3,000-word essay at your SCQF level (Level 11)

All individual components of the assessment must be passed to complete the module and have the qualification annotated on your professional register

Teaching methods / timetable

September intake

Blended delivery combining on-campus classroom teaching and online learning. Campus sessions will take place either on City Campus or Kirkcaldy Campus

January intake

Online delivery of teaching

Teaching will consist of:

• Online lectures, tutorials, and discussion boards via the VLE (My Dundee)
• Education sessions are delivered weekly by an experienced module team (prescribers) in collaboration with a variety of NHS experts and clinicians
• Guided independent study supported by a week-by-week self-directed learning guide
• 90 hours of supervised practice-based learning in your own clinical setting
• Formative prescription writing and clinical management plan submissions with feedback