NUR-40033 - Module Specification
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

none

Barred Combinations

NUR-30154
NUR-40047

Description for 2024/25

This module will equip allied health professionals acting within their scope of professional practice, to prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively as independently and supplementary prescribers. This will enhance their role within clinical practice and enable them to contribute further to the achievement of effective patient outcomes.
This module has been developed in response to the Department of Health and Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) expansion of prescribing rights for appropriate allied health professionals and is based on the Standards for Prescribing published by the HCPC in September 2019, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Competency Framework for Prescribers (2021).
One of the unique features of undertaking this module at Keele University, is that lecturers contribute from a range of healthcare backgrounds ( nursing and midwifery, medicine, pharmacy and physiotherapy). The module also runs alongside prescribing modules for nurses and midwives, thus facilitating interprofessional learning.

The module aims to prepare allied health professionals to prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively as an independent and supplementary prescriber.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate safe and effective consultation with patient/family/carer to complete an analytical holistic assessment, to critically inform decision making towards a diagnosis and management plan, including monitoring and review: 5
Synthesise and critically apply knowledge of pharmacology, therapeutics and drug interactions to prescribing situations, including how to deal with unforeseen consequences and the effects of co morbidities; both physical and psychological: 2,4,5
Critically evaluate and analyse the implications of polypharmacy and ADRs, plus how to report ADRs through local and national policies: 2,4,5
Critically debate and synthesise information around cost effective independent and supplementary prescribing; considering alternative management strategies, which may not necessarily include the prescribing of medications but maintaining clinical effectiveness: 2,4,5
Synthesise information, critically analyse and debate the legal, professional and ethical concepts of independent and supplementary prescribing/non-prescribing to practice, and ensure shared information and understanding of all involved (patient/family/carer/health care professional): 1,4,5
Critically appraise, synthesise and debate sources of evidence base, information, policies, local/national guidelines and formularies (including public health policies), in all decision-making processes for independent and supplementary prescribing practice: 1,5
Critically analyse and synthesise a range of contemporary information around influences that can affect the independent and supplementary prescribing role from patients/families/carers/health care professionals and outside agencies, and demonstrate the ability to manage these, ensuring communication and record keeping are maintained with all concerned and supporting others in such situations through effective multidisciplinary MDT working: 1,5
Critically analyse, debate and demonstrate generic/branded prescribing, off label prescribing and prescribing of controlled drugs, as well as safe storage and transport of medication: 2,4,5
Demonstrate safe prescription writing and development of clinical management plans (CMPs) for supplementary prescribing only, and the process of audit and review of data to improve efficiency of prescribing: 2,4,5
Demonstrate competence in the ability to perform numeracy skills related to safe drug/dosage calculations: 3,5

Study hours

lectures/discussions/CBL/group work (90 hours) tutorial support (2 hours)¿
directed study (30 hours)¿
private study/self directed study (85.5 hours) written examinations (2.5 hours)¿
supervised clinical hours (90 hours)¿

School Rules

Supported by the HCPC Standards for Prescribing (2019), the university must ensure that the applicant is:
1. Registered with the HCPC in one of the relevant allied health professions groups and has a minimum of one year's post qualifying experience
2. Professionally practising in an environment where there is an identified need for the individual to regularly use independent and/or supplementary prescribing
3. Able to demonstrate support from their employer/sponsor including confirmation that the entrant will have appropriate supervised practice in the clinical area in which they are expected to prescribe
4. Supported by an approved designated prescribing practitioner/practice educator, normally registered by the employer/health service commissioning group; a) who has experience in the relevant field of practice, b) who is trained and has experience in the supervision, support and assessment of trainees, c) who has agreed to provide the student with opportunities to develop competencies in prescribing and to supervise, support and assess the student during their clinical placement

Programme providers/employers must also ensure;
1.That candidates have appropriate background knowledge and experience and are able to study at academic level 7.
2.Confirm that the necessary governance structures are in place (inc. clinical support, access to protected learning time and employer support where appropriate) to enable students to undertake and be adequately supported throughout the programme.
3.Consider recognition of prior learning that is capable of being mapped to the RPS Competency Framework for all non-medical prescribers.
4.Confirm that the applicant is capable of safe and effective practice at a level of proficiency appropriate to the programme to be undertaken and their intended area of prescribing practice in the following areas; clinical/health assessment, diagnostics/care management, planning and evaluation of care.

Description of Module Assessment