About the course

The Centre for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning, part of the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering at Keele University, has a reputation for online distance learning programmes tailored to the needs of pharmacists, general practitioners, nurses and other members of the health care team.  Our high-quality learning materials have been developed and updated with our extensive network of current multidisciplinary clinical practitioners and includes clinical skills training to help prepare prescribers for a wide range of current and developing prescribing roles.

We are very proud that The Centre for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning in the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering was the first education provider in the UK to have its course for preparing pharmacists as supplementary prescribers accredited by the RPSGB in June 2003. We were also among the first to provide an Independent Prescribing (IP) Conversion Course and our UK leading programme trained the first Pharmacist IP graduate in the UK in 2007. Pharmacist Independent Prescribers have graduated with us since and we are now accredited to use the Designated Prescribing Practitioner role

Our course is designed specifically for pharmacists and both the course manager and course tutors are qualified prescribers. In addition, our course has been approved by the GPhC to be delivered by a distance learning format requiring only four days attendance at the University and a further 2 online study days over a 6-month period. The distance learning format of the courses enables busy health professionals to study where and when it is most convenient to them. If you are still wondering whether the IP course is for you have a look at the Preparing to Prescribe toolkit that was developed by Surrey University with input from Keele.

The aims and learning outcomes for the course are those stipulated by the GPhC for a full Independent Prescribing programme. They are expressed below in a manner that is compatible with Masters level study.

The overall aim is to enable pharmacists to practise and develop as prescribers and to meet the standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

Following completion of the course, pharmacist independent prescribers will be able to demonstrate all 32 of the GPhC learning outcomes, by applying knowledge of therapeutics and prescribing to the condition(s) for which they intend to prescribe, using an evidence-based approach that takes into account recent research and current professional practice. 

The learning outcomes are presented under four domains: 

• person-centred care
• professionalism
• professional knowledge and skills, and 
• collaboration

and can be accessed on pages 7-9 here: ‌Learning outcomes

Course structure

The course has been designed to allow students to meet all of the GPhC’s learning outcomes.

In addition, students are required to meet some selected prescribing competencies that are included in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s prescribing framework.

September 2022 Study Dates (provisional):

• Study day 1 (online) - Monday 5th September 2022
• Study day 2 (online) - Tuesday 6th September 2022
• Study day 3 (Keele) - Tuesday 4th October 2022
• Study day 4 (Keele) - Wednesday 5th October 2022
• Study day 5 (Keele) -Tuesday 6th December 2022
• Study day 6 (Keele) - Tuesday 10th January 2023
• Study day 7 (resits) – Wednesday 15th March 2023

N.B. It is compulsory that you attend all of the above study days in order to complete the Independent Prescribing course.

There will be additional travel and accommodation costs (if required) to attend the face to face study days.

How the course is taught

An interactive distance learning module and a Professional Portfolio of Practice provide the backbone of the IP course with additional clinical and consultation skills taught on six compulsory study days. Student development is achieved via structured and self-directed learning and measured by achievement of learning outcome and prescribing competencies.

How you'll be assessed

A variety of work-based assessments and coursework is used to meet students’ individual learning needs and maximise experiential learning opportunities

These include:

• Professional Practice Portfolio
• Patient Case study
• Clinical and consultation skills assessment

Entry Requirements

Only pharmacists with 2 years post-registration experience in a UK pharmacy setting are eligible to apply for a place on this course.

The entrance requirements are stipulated by the GPhC and the University. All entrants to the Keele University Independent Prescribing Preparatory Course must meet the following requirements:

• Current registration with GPhC &/or PSNI as a practising pharmacist and be of good standing with their Regulatory Body
• Have at least two years appropriate patient orientated experience practising in a hospital, community or primary care setting following their pre-registration year;
• Identify an area of clinical practice and need in which to develop their prescribing skills;
• Have up-to-date clinical, pharmacological and pharmaceutical knowledge relevant to their intended area of prescribing practice;
• Able to provide written endorsement from an appropriate Designated Prescribing Practitioner - (DPP) that s/he will supervise the 'learning in    practice' element of the Course, in the clinical area in which the pharmacist intends to prescribe independently immediately on qualification.

Please note, places on each cohort are limited to 60 and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis to completed applications submitted.  If all places are allocated, successful applicants will be offered the next available cohort.

The following resources will support you in your role as a DPP. 

• NPC Training non-medical prescribers in practice
• RPS A competency framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioners
• Preparing to Prescribe Toolkit
• Sway presentation
  

IT Literacy Recommendations

If you are competent to carry out the activities listed below then you should have no significant issues with the level of IT skills required for the Independent Prescribing course. 

• Sending and receiving emails 
• Working with Microsoft Word™
• Downloading and uploading documents
• Using the internet to search and navigate websites
• Scanning, or using your smartphone camera, to digitalise documents
• Participating in online discussion groups

You will also need to have access to a stable internet connection for most of the aspects of the course.

It will be helpful if you are familiar with using software such as the free Microsoft Teams™ application, but be reassured that there will be a demonstration of how to use Teams™ for the Independent Prescribing course on Study Day 1.

Funding

Some travel costs may be incurred if an external project or placement is undertaken; any such costs will be discussed with the student before the project is confirmed. It may be possible for the student to select an internal project and that would not incur any additional travel costs. There may be additional costs for textbooks and inter-library loans.

Living Costs

Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.

Scholarships and Funding

We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries webpage for more information.

It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in this case, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

Our expertise

Your learning will be supported by our experienced team of course managers, tutors and administrators. Our study days are also supported by a team of specialist IP’s and medics whose expertise will ensure you the best start in your prescribing career. More information about members of the team can be found in the staff biographies.

Facilities

You will study most elements of the Programme at a distance, in your own home or your workplace. The self-study materials comprise of an interactive module which provides an introduction to the key content of the programme, here you will be encouraged to carry out independent self-directed learning, utilise research skills and undertake collaborative tasks with your peers. The module also provides a platform of communication and support between your personal Tutor and peers within in your own dedicated workgroup. The study days complement the module content by providing an environment where you can learn and practice some of the key clinical examination and consultation skills.

Keele University Library has many resources for your subject, both on campus and on-line.

You will need regular access to a computer, email and the internet. Additional costs may include textbooks, inter-library loans, potential overdue library fines and those costs associated with travelling to the study days.

How to apply

In addition to our online application form, you are also required to complete and submit Forms 1,2 and 3 linked below. Please attach the forms to your online application form.  

1. Online Application

Online Application for Independent Prescribing

2. Additional Forms

Form 1 - Application Form

Form 2 - DPP Application Form‌

Form 3 - Employer Reference‌

‌‌

Example IP applicant profiles - Example student profiles that may facilitate you completing Section A of Form 1 on appropriate patient orientated experience.

If you are a current postgraduate student with the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering and are interested in applying for the IP please contact us at phab.postgraduate@keele.ac.uk