University of Bradford:
Programme specification
UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
School of Health Studies
Division of Nursing
Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals/ Community Nurse Prescribing
Awarding and teaching
institution:
University of Bradford
Programmes available:
Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals
HNPP621Q 40 credits [Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications Level 6]
on completion eligible to record qualification with NMC,
GPhC or HCPC
or
HNPP721Q 40 credits [Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications Level 7]
on completion eligible to record qualification with NMC,
GPhC or HCPC
Community Nurse Prescribing
20 credits [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
Level 6]
on completion eligible to record qualification with NMC.
or
20 credits [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
Level 7]
on completion eligible to record qualification with NMC.
Programmes accredited by:
NMC, GPhC, HCPC
Duration:
Maximum 1 year, part time.
Date produced:
September 2013
Introduction
Non medical prescribing is a key element of NHS modernisation, intended to transcend traditional
professional boundaries and make better use of professional skills (Department of Health [DH] 2000,
DH 2006). The benefits to patient care of non medical prescribing are significant, facilitating patient
centred care, speedy access to treatment and greater patient choice without compromising safety
(DH, 2005 DH 2006).
The Department of Health, in partnership with regulatory bodies has provided an outline curriculum,
which forms the framework for the education of prescribers. The University of Bradford offers several
programmes designed to meet the requirements of experienced practitioners from different
professional backgrounds wishing to record a qualification as a prescriber with their relevant
professional body. Students undertaking these programmes, delivered by the Division of Nursing,
benefit from the opportunities for inter-professional learning as well as teaching from a wide range of
lecturers, pharmacists and medical staff. On successful completion of the 40 credit ‘Prescribing for
Healthcare Professionals Programme’ nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists and physiotherapists receive a
certificate of independent and supplementary prescribing and may record a qualification as an
independent and supplementary prescriber with the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) (V300),
General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or the Health and care Professions Council (HCPC).
Radiographers, who successfully complete the ‘Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals’ programme
receive a certificate of supplementary prescribing and may record their qualification as a
supplementary prescriber with the Health and care Professions Council (HCPC).
Alternatively,
nurses may choose to undertake the 20 credit, ‘Community Nurse Prescriber’ programme and record
their qualification to prescribe from the Community Practitioner Formulary (V150) with the NMC. Both
the Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals programme and the Community Nurse Prescriber
programme are available at level 6 (undergraduate) and level 7 (masters level).
Aims
The programmes at Level 6 and 7 aim to:
A1 Prepare nurses, pharmacists, radiographers, podiatrists and physiotherapists to prescribe
from the appropriate formulary within current legal and professional guidelines.
A2 Enable experienced health professionals to enhance their knowledge and gain critical
awareness of contemporary issues in order to become safe, competent, effective and
reflective non–medical prescribers.
In addition at Level 7:
A3
Enable practitioners to advance non medical prescribing practice in their field of practice.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the undergraduate, level 6 programmes and level 7 programmes, in relation to
your own area of prescribing practice, you will be able to:
Knowledge and Skills
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
Appraise local and national policy and apply the relevant legislation.
Analyse and evaluate the influences on contemporary prescribing practice
Apply knowledge of drug actions (pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and therapeutics)
and research evidence.
Undertake a systematic consultation and make a holistic assessment of patients’ needs.
Evaluate and reflect upon own communication and examination skills.
Undertake a comprehensive history, to inform diagnosis and prescribing decision making.
Reflect on safe, appropriate and cost effective prescribing practice, using best available
evidence.
Monitor response to medication and modify treatment and refer where appropriate.
Practice within a framework of professional accountability, clinical governance and
responsibility.
Transferable Skills
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
Use a variety of sources of information and advice to support decision making and to
enhance personal learning.
Evaluate your role and the roles and relationships of others when working as part of a
team.
Define problems, engage in decision making and use appropriate verbal and written
communication skills.
Plan and time manage own clinical and theoretical learning.
Undertake numerical calculations to underpin safe prescribing practice.
In addition, on completion of the Level 7 programme, in relation to your own area of prescribing
practice, you will be able to:
Knowledge and Skills
1.1
1.2
Critically appraise recent research in order to inform diagnosis or therapeutic management
of patients and clients.
Manage change(s) in practice to improve access to treatment for patients/clients
Personal Transferable Skills
2.1
Use skills in data capture and analysis to support decision making.
Curriculum
Programme choice will depend on your professional background, service and patient/client need
and existing prescribing qualifications
Code
Credits Semester
Level Title
HNPP621Q
HNPP721Q
HNPP643D
HNPP743D
40
40
20
20
6
7
6
7
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 or 2
Prescribing for healthcare professionals
Prescribing for healthcare professionals
Community Nurse Prescribing
Community Nurse Prescribing
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and
review procedures
Teaching and Assessment Strategies
The learning, teaching and assessment have been designed to develop your skills as a reflective
practitioner, critical thinker and to promote continued engagement in lifelong learning. The learning
and teaching strategies also recognise the diversity and prior education that different students
bring to the classroom, this presents an opportunity for those differences to be used creatively in
order to facilitate valuable inter-professional learning. Supervised prescribing practice is a formal
element of your learning and your development of competency as a prescriber will be supported
by a mentor throughout the Programme.
The theoretical elements are directly linked to your supervised practice experience, facilitating
educational coherence for you and your mentor and ultimately employer and importantly patients.
Learning and teaching will be undertaken over one semester, this normally also includes the
required days of practice learning working alongside a mentor, however the programme team are
aware that completing the required practice based learning on the 40 credit ‘Prescribing for
Healthcare Professionals’ programme can be a challenge therefore you may negotiate with the
Programme Leader and mentor to extend the practice days over two semesters. It is not possible
to undertake the practice experience before the taught element of the programme.
It is expected that students will achieve 100% attendance at taught sessions. In exceptional
circumstances you can negotiate learning activities with your personal tutor and present
written work to demonstrate learning. Any student failing to meet the minimum required
attendance of 80% of mandatory sessions would be offered intercalation through the
‘suspension of studies’ process.
Knowledge and Skills
The theoretical component will be delivered using a range of teaching and learning strategies
including lectures, tutorials and seminars. Role play, ward visits and formative objective structured
clinical examinations (OSCEs) are used to support learning in the classroom in addition to the
more traditional lectures. Inter-professional learning is promoted through the use of student and
lecturer generated case studies and event analyses. You will be encouraged to share experiences
and case examples generated through supervised practice. Individualised learning is supported by
a learning contract for some programmes.
Theoretical elements are assessed using a multiple choice and short answer question examination
(MCQ) and, for some programmes, a summative objective structured clinical examinations
(OSCE). As well as the formal examination you will be expected to demonstrate your
understanding through reflective writing, the development of a portfolio and completion of a
competency framework. The competency framework, developed by the National Prescribing
Centre (NPC) (2012), is used as the basis for prescribing practice development and assessment of
competence by students working with a mentor. Assessment is carried out jointly between your
mentor and the teaching team.
Personal Transferable Skills
You may need to develop or revisit and extend your information technology skills through
supported learning in the Interactive Learning Centre (ILC) in order to search, retrieve and
evaluate electronic data and information sources. In addition skills of data capture and analysis
required to inform evidence based prescribing practice will be reinforced. Problem solving using
case studies and the simulated consultations are used so that students can practice, within the
confines of a ‘safe’ consultation setting, decision-making behaviour. Personal transferable skills
will be assessed through reflective writing, development of a portfolio and the competency
framework.
Formative assessment will be ongoing throughout the programme of study. Formative
assessments are timetabled so you can assess your own learning within the confines of a ‘safe’
setting. Summative assessment will normally be undertaken, or submitted, at the end of the
semester that you originally registered. The diet and volume of assessment reflects the breadth of
the curriculum and the understandable necessity to ensure robust assessment of your fitness for
purpose and practice:
You have to pass each element of assessment to be deemed as having successfully achieved the
programme and to qualify as a prescriber. Supplementary assessment on one occasion of any
unsuccessful element(s) in the same mode is normally allowed.
Admission Requirements
The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous
academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual
application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a
candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this
particular programme.
Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but
consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic
qualifications and other relevant experience.
If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to
parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to
provide you with exemptions from specified programmes contained within the curriculum.
Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.
We are continually reviewing and developing our practices and policies to make the
University more inclusive, but if you are disabled we may need to make some adjustments to
make sure that you are not disadvantaged. We would advise you to contact the programme
leader before you apply to discuss these.
Students will be selected on the basis of having met the requirements of the NMC, GPhC or HCPC
for admission to prescribing programmes. Admission requirements vary according to professional
background and programme choice but include:

Valid registration on NMC Register as a nurse, midwife or community public health nurse, or
registration with the HCPC as an allied health professional or registered pharmacist on the
membership register of the GPhC and/or Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland.

Nurses - minimum of 3 years experience since qualifying, including one year, immediately
preceding the Programme, working in the area of practice in which they intend to prescribe. Nurse
applicants must be competent to take a history, carry out an appropriate clinical examination and
make a diagnosis. Alternatively Nurse applicants may be enrolled on an appropriate educational
advanced practice programme.

Allied Health Professionals – minimum 3 years experience as a qualified allied health professional.

Pharmacist – minimum of two years experience following registration.

Support from your employing organization to undertake the programme and practice subsequent
to successful completion; that costs generated by their prescribing (once qualified) will be met, that
appropriate DBS checks have been undertaken and access to continuing professional
development (CPD) opportunities will be available on completion of the Programme.

The employing organisation must have assessed the applicant to be competent in their area of
practice.

The applicant must also have demonstrated appropriate numeracy skills.

Demonstrate an ability to study at appropriate level (6/7) through prior learning. Potential entrants
would normally have studied at level 5 for level 6, and level 6 for level 7. Any judgments on prior
learning will follow normal procedures for assessing academic standing through the University of
Bradford RPL process. On successful completion, if you might wish to import the credit into a
University of Bradford postgraduate award you must undertake the programme at Level 7.

Have written evidence (proof) that the learner has access to an appropriate mentor who has
agreed to provide support, supervision, and opportunities for the individual to develop
competence as a prescribing practitioner for the duration of the Programme. The mentor must be
approved by the Programme leader and any non medical prescribing lead for the employing
organization.
Admission is on the basis of submission of an application, curriculum vitae, letter of support
from your manager and any organisational non-medical prescribing lead.
Learning Resources
The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist library in the School of
Management provides a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your
studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas
for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians provide
training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your
assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.
Student PC clusters can be found in both our libraries and elsewhere on the campus. Many
of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the
internet from your own laptop. Most of our journals are available online (both on and off
campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal information and
programme-related materials this way.
Staff are on hand during the daytime to help you if you get stuck, and there is a 24/7 IT
helpline available.
Assessment Regulations
Whilst this Programme conforms to the general principles set out in the standard University
Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Programmes which are available at
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/aqpo/ordinances-and-regulations/.l A waiver has been obtained
requiring the MCQ and OSCE examinations must be achieved at 80%. The School of Health
Studies level 6 or 7 assessment criteria are applied to all other summative assessment and
you must achieve a minimum pass of 40%. You will be encouraged to complete and submit a
self assessment proforma to underpin your development as a reflective prescriber. You must
pass all elements of the diet of assessment to be eligible to record your qualification with the
relevant professional organisation.
Student Support and Guidance
Programme Team
Support for you personally and in your programme of study, will be provided both by the
University and the Programme Team. You will be allocated a personal tutor who is someone
with whom you will be able to talk about any academic or personal concerns. The School will
ensure that there is someone available with whom you feel comfortable to help and support
you. You will be provided with a comprehensive series of handbooks that you can consult on
a range of learning issues and your programme tutors will be available to consult on subject
specific queries.
Students’ Union
We value the feedback provided by students and collaborate with the Students’ Union,
through a system of student representatives and formal staff student liaison committees, so
that any issues you wish to raise are addressed rapidly.
The Students Union provide professional academic representation and advice. The Students’
Union and the University of Bradford work in partnership to provide confidential counselling
and welfare services where you can get help with any aspect of your personal or academic
life. Student Financial and Information Services (part of the Hub) will provide you with
information about a diverse range of issues such as council tax, personal safety and tourist
information. International Students can access a range of additional advice and support
services through the Student’s Union.
Employability and Career Development
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance their employability
profile, commitment towards a career pathway(s) and to implementing a career plan.
Professional career guidance and development support is available throughout your time as
a student and as a graduate from Career Development Services. The support available from
Career Development Services includes a wide range of information resources, one to one
appointments, a weekly workshop programme, a mentoring programme, graduate
recruitment and careers fairs, plus information and help to you find part time work, summer
work placements, internship programmes and graduate/postgraduate entry vacancies. In
addition, some students will receive seminars and workshops delivered by Career
Development Services as part of their programme of study. All students are encouraged to
access Career Development Services at an early stage during their studies and to use the
extensive resources available on their web site www.careers.brad.ac.uk.
Career Development Services annually undertakes a survey of all postgraduates to find out
their destination six months after graduation. The survey gathers data on the employment
and further study routes graduates have entered and a range of other information including
job roles, name and location of employers, salary details etc. The survey findings for each
programme of study are presented on the programme information pages on the University
website and via Career Development Services’ website www.careers.brad.ac.uk
Learner Development Unit for Academic Skills
For postgraduate students on taught programmes who are looking to improve their marks
during their time at university, study skills and maths advice is available to all regardless of
degree discipline. Students can access a programme of interactive workshops and clinics
which is delivered throughout the year. This is in addition to our extremely popular face-toface guidance from our advisers, who also offer a wide range of online and paper based
materials for self-study.
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/learner-development/
Disability
Disabled students will find a supportive environment at Bradford where we are committed to
ensuring that all aspects of student life are accessible to everyone. The Disability Service
can help by providing support, advice and equipment to help you get the most out of your
time at Bradford. It is a place where you can discuss any concerns you may have about
adjustments that you may need, whether these relate to study, personal care or other
issues. For more information contact the Disability Service by phoning: 01274 233739 or
via email: disabilities@bradford.ac.uk
University policies and initiatives
Ecoversity
Ecoversity is a strategic project of the University which aims to embed the principles of
sustainable development into our decision-making, learning and teaching, research activities
campus operations and lives of our staff and students. We do not claim to be a beacon for
sustainable development but we aspire to become a leading University in this area. The
facilities we create for teaching and learning, including teaching spaces, laboratories, IT labs
and social spaces, will increasingly reflect our commitments to sustainable development.
Staff and student participation in this initiative is crucial to its success and its inclusion in the
programme specification is a clear signal that it is at the forefront of our thinking in
programme development, delivery, monitoring and review. For more details see
www.bradford.ac.uk/ecoversity/
Further Information:
For further information, please check the University prospectus or contact Admissions.
The Admissions Office
The University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
+44 (0)1274 233054
http://www.brad.ac.uk/courses/
The Admissions Office
School of Health Studies
Horton A Building
The University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
+44 (0)1274 236367
http://www.brad.ac.uk/health/courses/postgraduatecpd-professional/nursing/
The contents of this programme specification may change, subject to the University's
regulations and programme approval, enhancement and review procedures.
REFERENCES
Department of Health (2000) The NHS Plan London: HMSO
Department of Health (2005) Supplementary Prescribing by Nurses, Pharmacists,
Chiropodists/Podiatrists, Physiotherapists and Radiographers within the NHS in England,
Department of Health (2006) Improving Patients’ Access to Medicines: A Guide to Implementing
Nurse and Pharmacist Independent Prescribing within the NHS in England,
National Prescribing Centre, (2012) A single competency framework for all prescribers NPC
Disclaimer:
The information identified within this specification and the curriculum may change, subject to the
University's Programme approval, monitoring and review procedures.