Advanced Pharmacy Practice with Independent Prescribing

Overview
Our Advanced Pharmacy Practice programme is designed for hospital-based pharmacists in Northern Ireland who wish to practice at Advanced Practitioner level.

In stage 2 (MSc stage), students receive training in research and data analysis methods and are required to undertake a service evaluation/development project.

Course Structure
Study part-time by distance and work-based learning.

Stage 1 (PG Diploma stage)
Hospital pharmacists who have completed the NI Foundation Programme (or equivalent) will receive 60 credits. The remaining 60 credits are delivered in the following modules:
PMY7074 Learning in Practice

Plus the non-medical prescribing modules:
PMY7070 Person-centred care and collaboration
PMY7071 Disease management
PMY7072 Clinical skills
PMY7073 Professionalism

Note: Following publication of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum in 2022, the content of the Advanced Pharmacy Practice programme is being reviewed for 2023 entry.

Stage 2 (MSc stage)
Students complete the following modules:
Research in Advanced Practice
Advanced Practice Development
Service Evaluation and Development

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

Core Modules
Promoting public health (10 credits)
Evidence-based practice & quality improvement (20 credits)
Safe & effective provision of medicines (10 credits)
Medicines optimisation & proficient patient care (20 credits)
Advanced Practice Development (20 credits)
Professionalism (10 credits)
Learning in practice (20 credits)
Service evaluation and development (30 credits)
Person-centred care and collaboration (10 credits)
Clinical skills (10 credits)
Disease management (10 credits)
Research in Advanced Practice (10 credits)

A primary degree in Pharmacy (minimum Bachelor Degree) from an institution approved by the University. Additionally all applicants must:
- have identified a designated medical practitioner prior to commencing the prescribing modules;
- have completed the NICPLD foundation/vocational training (VT) programme or must be able to demonstrate equivalent experience;
- be employed as a hospital pharmacist.

Please note: this programme is open only to students who are resident in Northern Ireland or pharmacists in Ireland by prior agreement between QUB and the applicant's employer.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

36 months (Part Time)

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
This Masters/PG Diploma programme in Advanced Pharmacy Practice enhances the opportunities for hospital-based pharmacists in Northern Ireland to progress their career to Advanced Practitioner level.