Nursing - Prescribing Medicinal Products & Referring for Radiological Procedures

The University Certificate Prescribing Medicinal Products and Referring for Radiological Procedures provides the Registered Nurse with the knowledge, skill and competence to prescribe medicinal products and refer patients for radiological procedures safely and effectively in accordance with legal and professional regulatory frameworks and standards.

This is a 40 ECTS* credit, level 8 NFQ** minor award. There are three programme options:

X908 University Certificate Prescribing Medicinal Products and Referring for Radiological Procedures (Children)

X909 University Certificate Prescribing Medicinal Products and Referring for Radiological Procedures (Adult)

X910 University Certificate Prescribing Medicinal Products and Referring for Radiological Procedures (Adult & Children)

On successful completion of the prescribing of medicinal products component of this programme, Registered Nurses are eligible to apply to the Registered Nurse Prescriber (RNP) division of the NMBI register. This programme is delivered by lecturers from the UCD School of Medicine - Department of Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging, and UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science in collaboration with UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems

This programme is for any nurse or childrens nurse currently registered in a division of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Irelands (NMBI) live Register, who feels the extension of the authority to prescribe medicinal products and refer patients for radiological procedures will enhance their role and improve the quality and standard of care they provide.

Applicants must be currently registered in a division of the NMBI Register for the following progamme options:

Adult - Applicants must be registered as a nurse in the NMBI Register

Adult and Children - Applicants must be registered as a nurse in the NMBI Register

Children's - Applicants must be registered as a nurse and/or a children's nurse in the NMBI Register

It is recommended that candidates have three years recent post registration clinical experience (this must be within the past five years) with the equivalent of one year full time experience in the specific area of practice in which prescribing of medicinal products is proposed.

Referral for Radiological Procedures At the end of this programme you will be able to:

Critically utilize evidence-based knowledge and skill in conducting a person's assessment and consultation to achieve a holistic approach to a person's care when referring for medical radiological procedures

Apply clinical decision-making skills in relation to referring persons for medical radiological and other imaging procedures within their scope of practice

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework associated with nurse authority to refer persons for medical radiological procedures, including professional guidelines, supporting safe practice

Know the justification process

Demonstrate an understanding of medical radiological procedures and other imaging procedures and their implication in a person's safety

Understand the principles of radiation protection of the person and staff

Demonstrate effective communication skills and knowledge of the role of the multidisciplinary team management involved for the safe and appropriate use of medical radiological procedures and other imaging procedures

Understand the role of the practitioner in the referral process

Demonstrate knowledge of the person and practitioner safety

Prescribing Medicinal Products At the end of this programme you will be able to:

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the regulatory framework associated with prescribing, including legislation and professional guidelines, supporting safe prescribing
Critically utilize evidence-based knowledge and skill of patient/client assessment and consultation to achieve a holistic approach to patient/client care in the prescribing of medicinal products
Apply expert skills in clinical decision-making in relation to prescribing medicinal products
Demonstrate a critical understanding of pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Demonstrate knowledge of the role do the multi-disciplinary team and effective communication processes involved in safe medication management

September – December (Autumn Trimester)

Module: NMHS42960 Advanced Health Assessment (NFQ Level 9)

Module: Referring for Radiological Procedures. There are three module options, choose ONE:

RDGY30540 Referring for Radiological Procedures (Adult)
RDGY30550 Referring for Radiological Procedures (Children)
RDGY30560 Referring for Radiological Procedures (Adult and Children)

January – May (Spring Trimester)

Module: NMHS32170 Pharmacology Nurse-Midwife Prescribing

Module: NMHS33140 Prescribing Practice Context

January – August (Spring & Summer Trimesters)

Module: NMHS33150 Clinical Practicum Prescribing

*Please note: If you have successfully completed an NFQ level 8/9 Health Assessment module you can apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) for module NMHS42960 when applying for this course.

Autumn Trimester (Sept- Dec)

Module: 'Referring for Radiological Procedures' (options Adult or Children or Adult and Children)

This module has both theory and clinical components. Theoretical content is delivered online over a two day period in week one. All online lectures are live (i.e. synchronous). Lecture Timetable*:

TBC/09/22 Thursday 08.30 - 16.30pm live online lectures (Adult, Children and Adult & Children options)
TBC/09/22 Friday 08.30 - 12.30pm live online lectures (Adult, Children and Adult & Children options)
TBC/09/22 Friday 13.00 - 16.30pm live online lectures (Children and Adult & Children options)
Clinical exposure consists of no less than 100 hours. Clinical instruction comprises 10 episodes of referral for medical radiological procedures, documented and recorded as a demonstration of competence under the supervision of a medical mentor practitioner. All candidates must be working in the area where the clinical practicum will occur for the duration of the programme.

Module: Advanced Health Assessment

This module uses a blended approach to teaching and learning. The majority of online lectures are asynchronous. You are required to attend two clinical skills laboratories on UCD Belfield campus on designated days (dates and times to be confirmed - probably on Wednesdays).

Spring Trimester (Jan – May)

Module: Pharmacology: Nurse-Midwife Prescribing

Lectures are delivered using a blended approach. All face to face and live online lectures are delivered on a Wednesday between 13.00-16.00pm .

Module: Prescribing Practice Context

Lectures are delivered using a blended approach. All face to face and live online lecutures are delivered on a Wednesday (up to 18.00pm on some days).

Spring &Summer Trimester (Jan – End of July)

Module: Clinical Practicum Prescribing

Clinical learning is comprised of 26 weeks clinical exposure in the area in which you currently work and in which you intend to prescribe once registered as a Registered Nurse-Midwife Prescriber. A designated medical practitioner mentor will provide 96 hours clinical instruction. Students must complete 10 medicinal product prescribing case studies (i.e. seven formative and three summative) under the supervision of a medical practitioner.

*Please note:

Online learning requires a high level of personal motivation, self-discipline, and an aptitude for self-directed learning. Brightspace (a web-based virtual learning environment) is used extensively.
Access to broadband and proficiency in computer skills are essential.
All dates and times are provisional and subject to change
TBC = To be confirmed

Applicants are required to:

Be currently registered in a division of the NMBI live Register for the following programme options:

Adult - Applicants must be registered as a nurse in the NMBI Register

Adult and Children - Applicants must be registered as a nurse in the NMBI Register

Children's - Applicants must be registered as a nurse and/or a children's nurse in the NMBI Register

Be currently employed as a Registered Nurse and/or Registered Children's Nurse in the area in which you wish to practice for the duration of the programme

Have a minimum of three years recent post registration clinical experience (this must be within the past five years) with the equivalent of one-year full time experience in the specific area of practice in which prescribing of medicinal products is proposed.

Be in possession of competencies recognized at NFQ level 8

Submit two Site Declaration From (i.e. (1) Prescribing of Medicinal Products and (2) Referring for Radiological Procedures) signed by the Director of Nursing, Clinical Medical Supervisor (s) and Head of Radiology agreeing to provide you with support and clinical supervision towards the achievement of the required competencies for the duration of the programme

Be IT competent and have access to fast and reliable broadband

Major Code: X908 (Children)
Major Code: X909 (Adult)
Major Code: X910 (Adult and Children)

Application System Opens: 1st May 2022
Application System Closes: 30th June 2022

Offers will be made in July
Offers are made on a first come first served basis. Places are limited. We advise you to apply early to avoid disappointment.

Prior to applying to UCD:

Please read the HSE ONMSD (2020) Nurse and Midwife Medicinal Product Prescribing Toolkit: Application Guidelines for the Education Programmes.

Please discuss local 'prescribing medicinal product' and 'referral of radiological procedures' policies, procedures and guidelines with the Prescribing Site Co-ordinator or Nurse Practice Development in the context of your application.
Please contact your DON and complete the following two Site Declaration Forms (1) Prescribing of Medicinal Products and (2) Referring for Radiological Procedures. To access and download these forms, please click on 'Documents to be Submitted with your Application'. Please complete both forms in full prior to making an application. These forms may take several weeks to complete.
Please note:

There are a limited number of places available on this programme. All applications will be reviewed after the closing date and offers made in July. Places will be offered on a first come, first served basis to applicants who meet the entry criteria, have uploaded fully complete required documentation and paid the application fee. Once capacity is reached, no further offers will be made. You are advised to apply early so as to avoid disappointment.

The Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director HSE funds all registered nurses employed in the HSE to undertake this education programme.

You may also be interested in viewing the Professional Diploma Prescribing of Medicinal Products or the Professional Certificate Referring for Radiological Procedures education programmes.

* ECTS - European Credit Transfer System

** NFQ - National Framework of Qualifications

Documents to be submitted with your application
Validated copies of Certificate/Diploma/Degree awards in Nursing

Original transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant

A current photocopy of your NMBI registration (to include division of register)

A copy of your birth certificate or personal page of current passport

Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)

Site Declaration Form (Referring for Radiological Procedures) (Only up to date Site Declaration Forms will be accepted)

Site Declaration Form (Prescribing Medicinal Products) (Only up to date Site Declaraion Forms will be accepted)

Please note: Failure to submit the required documentation or parts thereof prior to the application closing date will result in your application being rejected

Applications are made online through UCD Applications Please note: All applicants are required to pay a €50 application fee. Your application cannot be processed fully unless the application fee has been paid. Apply online

3 Trimesters (Sept - August)