A multi-professional course to enable you to develop the consultation and prescribing skills required to qualify as an independent prescriber within your area of practice.

This 40 credit Masters course (level 7) is delivered part time over 6 months and comprises two compulsory 20 credit modules which are taken consecutively. Both modules must be passed to be awarded the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing. Forty credits is approximately 400 hours of student endeavour.

This course is currently open to pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, nurses, midwives, paramedics and therapeutic radiographers.

At Masters Level you are expected to act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks. You will need to demonstrate that you are able to systematically deal with complex issues and make sound judgements, sometimes in the absence of incomplete data.

The course adopts a blended learning approach including interactive face-to-face study days, case studies, discussions and on-line learning. Teaching also includes working with simulated patients to develop communication and clinical skills. Your development is supported by learning in practice under the supervision of your designated medical practitioner (DMP). You should be spending at least 50% of your supervised learning in practice time with your DMP. Time with any other practitioners can support your learning and should be agreed in advance with your DMP.

There is a strong emphasis on self-directed learning to ensure that the content is related to your area of practice. The blending learning approach allows flexibility in managing your learning to fit in with professional and personal commitments.

There are a variety of assessment methods to ensure safe and effective practice. These include a case presentation, written assessments, calculations assessment, OSCE (objective structured clinical examinations) and completion of a structured learning and reflective portfolio.

The calculations assessment is a ‘must pass’ component of the course. Due to current Nursing and Midwifery Council and Health and Care Professions Council regulatory requirements the pass mark is 100%. You can access examples of the types of questions you may encounter.

Please note as you are qualified, registered and practicing professionals, you are subject to the fitness to practice procedure for your professional regulator.

Why Study this Course?

Throughout the course there will be an emphasis on linking theoretical knowledge to practical skills. The course is designed around the core principles of safe and effective prescribing practice for application across therapeutic areas and clinical specialities in a variety of settings.

Interactive face to face teaching activities will include the use of real-life and simulated scenarios with case studies to develop competence in prescribing practice. You will develop clinical management plans and consider the care of the patient as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Role-play scenarios with the use of expert patient actors will facilitate development of strong communication and clinical skills, vital for positive interaction with patients and fellow healthcare professions. Further learning and development of prescribing competencies will be supported through lectures and distance learning via a virtual learning environment.

On successful completion, you will be awarded the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing.

Institutional Accreditation

University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

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Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing

Course Level:

Postgraduate, Taught

Credits

180

Course

CODE P1186

How long it takes:

6 months

Study Mode:

Distance learning/ Campus

Course cost

Price: US$22,500

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Department:

Newcastle Law School

This multi-professional blended learning course takes place over 6 months including 8 face-to-face study days with a further 1.5 days to complete course assessment. Attendance at the University for these dates is mandatory and will need to be repeated if missed.

A further 16.5 days learning is provided through online activities and independent learning.

You will be required to arrange a minimum of 90 hours (12 days) placement, in practice under the clinical supervision of an approved Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP). This is necessary in order to complete the programme. Should your working circumstances or placement arrangements change and you are therefore not able to successfully complete the required clinical supervision you will not be able to complete the programme.

The course comprise of two modules and an induction day:

Module 1 – Prescribing: Scientific Principles & Practice (20 credits)

Study day 1 – Monday 23 September 2019
DMP Welcome Event – Monday 14 October 2019
Study day 2 – Monday 21 October 2019
Study day 3 – Monday 11 November 2019
Module 1 case presentation – Wednesday 27 November, to be uploaded onto canvas by 4pm (does not require attendance on campus)
Assessment day – Monday 2December 2019
Bank Holiday / University Closed Days (Monday 23 December 2018 to Wednesday 1 January 2020 inclusive)
Resit day – Monday 20 January 2020

Module 2 – Prescribing: Safe & Effective Practice (20 credits)

Study day 1 – Monday 6 January 2020
Study day 2 – Tuesday 7 January 2020
Study day 3 – Monday 3 February 2020
Study day 4 – Tuesday 4 February 2020
Study day 5 – Monday 17February 2020
Assessment day – Monday 9 March 2020
Final portfolio submission – Thursday 9 April 2020, 4pm (does not require attendance on campus)
Resit day – Monday 20 April 2020
Bank Holiday /University Closed Days (Friday 10 April 2020 to Wednesday 15 April 2020 inclusive)
Bank Holiday – Monday 4 May 2020
Bank Holiday – Monday 25 May 2020
Examination Board (TBC – week beginning 1st June)
Bank Holiday – Monday 31 August 2020

March 2020

Induction day Monday 2nd March 2020

Module 1 – Prescribing: Scientific Principles & Practice (20 credits)

Module 1 study day 1 Tuesday 3rd March 2020
DMP Welcome Event Monday 23rd March 2020 (students not required to attend)
Module 1 study day 2 Monday 6th April 2020
Module 1 study day 3 Tuesday 7th April 2020
Bank Holiday /University Closed Days (Friday 10th April to Wednesday 15th April 2020 inclusive)
Bank Holiday Monday 4th May 2020
Module 1 case presentation Wednesday 6th May 2020, (to be uploaded on canvas by 10am – does not require attendance on campus)
Module 1 assessment day Monday 11th May 2020
Bank Holiday Monday 25th May 2020
Interim portfolio submission Friday 29th May 2020, 4pm (does not require attendance on campus)
Module 1 resit day Monday 15th June 2020

Module 2 – Prescribing: Safe & Effective Practice (20 credits)

Module 2 study day 1 Monday 8th June 2020
Module 2 study day 2 Tuesday 9th June 2020
Module 2 study day 3 Monday 22nd June 2020
Module 2 study day 4 Tuesday 23rd June 2020
Module 2 study day 5 Monday 6th July 2020
Module 2 assessment day Monday 20th July 2020
Bank Holiday Monday 31st August 2020
Final portfolio submission Monday 7th September 2020, 4pm (does not require attendance on campus)
Module 2 resit day Monday 7th September 2020
Examination Board (TBC – Week beginning 12^th October 2020 – students not required to attend)

Considering postgraduate study, but unsure whether you meet the entry requirements for a Masters-level degree? Postgraduate admissions guidelines vary by course and university, but can be quite flexible.

Your existing qualifications will be important, but you don’t necessarily need a great Bachelors degree to apply for a Masters. Your personal circumstances and experience may also be considered during the admissions process.

This guide explains the typical entry requirements for a Masters, which include:

An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject – Depending on the programme and institution, you may need a 2.1 in your Bachelors, but this isn’t always the case
Language proficiency – If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to display a certain ability level, usually through a language test
Professional experience – Some postgraduate programmes may require you to have some professional experience (this is usually the case for PGCEs and Masters in Social Work)
Entrance exams – These are only required in certain subject areas and qualifications, including some MBAs

Tuition fees for UK/EU students 2020/21

MSc: Full-time £9,900. Part-time £4,950
Postgraduate Diploma: Full-time £6,660. Part-time £3,300

Tuition fees for International students 2020/21

MSc: Full time £23,310
Postgraduate Diploma: Full-time £15,540

Assessment

You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.

All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.

Careers Support for Postgraduate Students

Careers Network – We can help you get ahead in the job market and develop your career

We recognise that as a postgraduate student you are likely to have specific requirements when it comes to planning for your next career step. Employers expect postgraduates to have a range of skills that exceed their subject knowledge. Careers Network offers a range of events and support services that are designed for all students, including postgraduates looking to find their niche in the job market.

Here are just a few ways in which we can help postgraduates to get ahead:

Careers Networking opportunities
Effective careers strategy toolkit
Year planner for all postgraduate students
Masters Career Coaching Workshops
One to one careers guidance

The Careers Network also have subject specific careers consultants and advisers for each College so you can be assured the information you receive will be relevant to your subject area. They also have a dedicated careers website for international students where you can find useful resources and information.