Nursing - Prescribing Medicinal Products & Referring for Radiological Procedures

UCert Prescribing Meds & Referring for Rad Pro (A&C)
UG Certificates & Diplomas (level 8 nfq)

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

September – December (Autumn Trimester)

Module 1: Advanced Health Assessment
Module 2: Referring for Radiological Procedures
Module 3: Clinical Practicum Referring for Radiological Procedures

January – May (Spring Trimester)
Module 4: Pharmacology Nurse-Midwife Prescribing
Module 5: Prescribing Practice Context

January – August (Spring & Summer Trimesters)
Module 6: 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.

Indicative 2023/2024 Schedule

September - December (Autumn Trimester)

Referring for Radiological Procedures

Lectures are delivered live online over a two day period, and are scheduled as follows:

14/09/23* Thursday 08.00 - 16.30pm live online lectures (Adult, Children and Adult & Children options)

15/09/23* Friday 08.00 - 12.30pm live online lectures (Adult, Children and Adult & Children options)

15/09/23* Friday 13.00 - 16.30pm live online lectures (Children and Adult & Children options)

Clinical Practicum Referring for Radiological Procedure

The referral for radiological procedures clinical module is delivered over a 12-week period (September - December). Clinical instruction equates to 100 hours supervised practice provided by a designated medical practitioner in the area in which the student is employed. Students complete ten referrals for radiological procedure case studies under the supervision of the medical practitioner. Each case is logged in the student's clinical portfolio of evidence as a demonstration of competence.

Advanced Health Assessment

Lectures are delivered using a blended approach. All live online lectures and face-to-face lectures are delivered on Mondays

January - May (Spring Trimester)

Pharmacology: Nurse-Midwife Prescribing

Lectures are delivered face-to-face in the classroom on UCD campus each Wednesday.

Prescribing Practice Context

Lectures are delivered using a blended approach. All live online and face to face lectures are delivered on Wednesdays.

January - August (Spring &Summer Trimesters)

Clinical Practicum Prescribing

This clinical prescribing module is delivered over a 26 - week period (January - August). Clinical instruction equates to 96 hours supervised practice provided by a designated medical practitioner in the area in which the student is employed. Students complete ten medicinal product prescribing case studies under the supervision of the medical practitioner. Each case is logged in the student's clinical portfolio of evidence as a demonstration of competence

*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

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.

Hold an honours degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent ) . In some cases, where an applicant does not hold a Level 8 degree, an RPL application may be considered.

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

Garda vetting is required for this programme. If you are offered and accept a place on this course you will automatically receive details of the vetting procedure. Please see the following link here. All correspondence should be between students and UCD Student Vetting upon applying to these programmes.

Documents Required

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 photocopy of current NMBI registration

A copy of your birth certificate or personal page of 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 Declaration 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.

Who should apply?
Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

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.

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 discuss your potential scope of referral practice based on service need with the medical consultant and DON

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.

1 year part-time.