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Ulster University - Jordanstown

Medicines Management

Non-medical prescribing skills provide the ability to address and /or enhance patient's medicines management as part of a holistic care package.

This course teaches Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered, and eligible health professionals, independent/supplementary prescribing competencies as required by the Department of Health (DoH), HCPC and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Health professionals not currently eligible for independent/supplementary prescribing rights, but who are working under patient group directives and wish to extend their academic knowledge of prescribing will also be considered for this programme.

Completion of the two modules; Pharmacotherapeutics in Prescribing and Prescribing in Practice (in combination, the PGCert in Medicines Management) meets the requisite training for Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Therapeutic Radiographers and Paramedics as Independent/Supplementary Prescribers, and Diagnostic Radiographers and Dietitians as Supplementary Prescribers.

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an Independent and/or Supplementary Prescriber.

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements-

Applicants must:

have gained

(i) an Honours or non-Honours degree in Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Diagnostic or Therapeutic Radiography from the University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, 'or from a recognised national awarding body or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or

ii) an equivalent standard in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate or an approved alternative qualification; and

b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent);

c) provide evidence that they meet the DH entry requirements for Independent and/ or Supplementary Prescriber training

or as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) , (b) and (c):

(d) In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a Prescribing Practice Portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for the exemption against modules within the programme.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 7.0 with no band score less than 6.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Exemptions and transferability

Those who have undertaken the Prescription Only Medicines (POM) annotation training at level 7 within the preceding three years may apply for exemption from the 'Pharmacotherapeutics in Prescribing' module via the APL system, awarded by the University or by another university or other educational institution, provided that they shall register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award at the highest level in respect of a Master's award and at least 50% of the credit value of the award in respect of a Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate award.

Duration

Attendance

Students are required to attend and engage with ALL face to face teaching sessions and clinical placement hours associated with the programme. Students MUST demonstrate that placement activity is carried out and attendance meets requirements specified in the Prescribing Practice Portfolio (Minimum requirements: 90 hours attendance in clinical prescribing practice for Independent and / or Supplementary Prescribing).

Careers or further progression

Career options

The Postgraduate Certificate in Medicines Management delivers a range of learning experiences to enable students across and between multiple disciplines to enhance their knowledge and skills, encourage critical thinking, creativity and strategic planning in Independenet and/ or Supplementary Prescribing within their professional field, thereby enhancing employability. Students applying for this programme are expected to already be following a distinct career pathwaywith the opportunity of progressing in that pathway through the extended prescibing and leadership skills attained.

Further enquiries

Contact
Admissions
June Johnston
T: +44 (0)28 9036 6041
E: j.johnston@ulster.ac.uk

Kerry Clarke
T: +44 (0)28 9036 6984
E: kj.clarke@ulster.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Year one

Pharmacotherapeutics in Prescribing
This module provides the necessary pharmacological knowledge within the context of the underpinning pathophysiology that will enable the healthcare professional to prescribe safely, appropriately, and effectively within a collaborative health care team. It will be offered through a blended combination of e-learning, taught components and threaded discussion with supported group work. Assessment is by a combination of coursework and a synoptic examination.

Prescribing in Practice
This module will prepare Allied Health Professionals to undertake an active role in non medical prescribing within their specified area of practice. The legislative framework and professional and ethical principles, which underpin prescribing practice, are explored.