This programme, approved by the appropriate professional/regulatory bodies, provides a distance learning option for qualification as a non-medical prescriber.
Overview
Eight contact days cover communication and diagnostic skills. Other topics on the syllabus include the legal, policy, professional and ethical aspects of prescribing, plus pharmacology and patient assessment and monitoring.
About Medway School of Pharmacy
Medway School of Pharmacy is one of the few regional schools of pharmacy in the UK, a collaboration between the University of Kent and the University of Greenwich.
The impetus for the formation of the Medway School of Pharmacy came from the local community, who recognised the shortage of qualified pharmacists in all branches of the pharmacy profession in Kent.
The School is now recognised as an established school with accreditation from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Graduates are employed in health disciplines in Kent and the south-east and more broadly across the UK.
Fees
For fees, please refer to the Medway School of Pharmacy website.
National ratings
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, research by the School of Pharmacy was ranked 8th in the UK for research intensity.
An impressive 100% of our research-active staff submitted to the REF and 93% of our research was judged to be of international quality, with 81% of this judged world-leading or internationally excellent. The School’s environment was judged to be conducive to supporting the development of world-leading research.
Course structure
You can take the Master’s programme as a stand-alone PCert in Independent / Supplementary Prescribing, or as one pathway into the Medicines Management programme, by studying prescribing as either the first or second year of the Medicines Management PDip.
On successful completion, the School notifies the appropriate professional / regulatory body that you have qualified as an independent / supplementary prescriber.
Modules
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take modules from other programmes so that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas that interest you.
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Teaching and Assessment
Assessment is by Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), assignments, case-study analysis, multiple-choice questions, short answer paper, narrative based on portfolio entries and attendance at a period of learning in practice.
Programme aims
This programme aims to:
- prepare pharmacists to practice as supplementary prescribers
- prepare nurses and midwives to practice as supplementary/independent prescribers
- develop the knowledge and skills required by an allied health professional to practice as a supplementary prescriber
- meet the standards set by the respective professional or regulatory body as required within the legislative framework.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You will gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the legal and professional framework for non-medical prescribing
- local health service provision and systems
- national and local frameworks for medicines use
- national and local budgetary constraints on prescribing
- models of consultation
- principles of diagnosis
- applied advanced physiology
- pathophysiology, natural history and progression of defined conditions
- changes to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in certain patient groups
- principles of monitoring.
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual skills in:
- reviewing and critically evaluating best available evidence relevant to a specified area of prescribing practice, synthesising information from key sources and databases
- integrating previous learning with professional skills and expertise to synthesise innovative approaches to implementing extended independent/supplementary prescribing in practice
- further developing the skills to review and critically analyse your own learning and apply this to enhance your role as a non-medical prescriber
- making sound judgements about prescribing issues in the absence of complete data and communicating conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in:
- consultation and medical history taking
- physical examination of patients to aid diagnosis and monitoring
- interpretation of medical documentation with an understanding of risks and benefits of incomplete data
- monitoring patient response against objectives set within clinical management plans
- recording prescribing actions and outcomes and the evidence base behind them contemporaneously in patient records.
Transferable skills
You will gain the following transferable skills:
- critical self-reflection and the ability to enhance professional competence on the basis of feedback from self and others
- communicating with clarity in both the academic and professional setting to a range of audiences and using a variety of approaches
- effectively managing and presenting complex information using a comprehensive range of learning resources
- autonomous learning and accessing professional resources including others as appropriate.
Careers
Graduates who obtain their PhD from Kent or Greenwich are highly sought after by prospective employers, both within the UK and overseas. Destinations for doctoral graduates include university academic departments, research institutes and leading pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies.
The taught postgraduate programmes are designed to promote the continuing professional development by providing sought-after skills. The programmes are beneficial for those who wish to develop their skills and/or to take the next step in their career.
Study support
Postgraduate resources
Postgraduate students have access to all the facilities at the Medway School of Pharmacy, including clinical skills labs and a ‘simulation man’. As the School of Pharmacy is a joint venture between the two universities, students have access to facilities at Kent’s Medway and Canterbury campuses, and the University of Greenwich.
Flexible programmes
Programmes are in units of five, ten, 15 and 30 credits. This variable credit structure enables you to individualise your study programme to suit your needs.
Dynamic publishing culture
Medway School of Pharmacy has a research culture and as such postgraduate students publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: International Journal of Pharmacy Practice; Nephron Physiology; Acta Physiologica; Purinergic Signalling; and European Journal of Pharmacology.
Global Skills Award
All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.
Entry requirements
Registration with the appropriate professional/regulatory body (GPhC or PSNI for pharmacists, HCPC for allied health professionals). A first degree or evidence of having studied at level H (for those wishing to undertake a Master’s-level qualification); at least two years’ post-registration clinical experience (pharmacists); at least three years’ post-registration clinical experience (allied health professionals).
Students on this programme will also need support from a sponsoring organisation, confirming service need and access to a prescribing budget to meet the costs of prescriptions on completion of training, and a named designated medical practitioner who will supervise and provide support during clinical placement.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and experience will also be taken into account when considering applications.
International students
Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information for your country. Please note that international fee-paying students cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.
English language entry requirements
The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.
For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.
Need help with English?
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
Research areas
Chemistry and drug delivery
This group has laboratories with dedicated state-ofthe art drug delivery, nanotechnology, spectroscopy, chromatography and organic synthesis facilities. It brings together researchers in medicinal chemistry and drug design, nanotechnology and materials science, drug delivery and pharmaceutics encouraging a multidisciplinary approach to research. Research covers synthesis and biological evaluation of potential anti-cancer agents, structurebased drug design, QSAR predication of ADMET properties, controlled release, particle engineering, powder technology, pharmaceutical technology, and novel drug delivery systems, with a focus on respiratory drug delivery.
Biological sciences
This group is housed in recently refurbished laboratories with dedicated state-of-the-art molecular biological, electrophysiological, tissue culture and microscopy facilities. The research is divided into four main themes; infectious diseases and allergy; neuroscience; renal and cardiovascular physiology; and pharmacology. Examples of current work include: investigation of the use of non-pathogenic virus ‘pseudotypes’ to study pathogenic RNA, study of the properties of neuronal potassium channels and their modulation and the development of new therapies for patients that have developed acute kidney injury in collaboration with a major pharmaceutical company.
Pharmacy practice
This group conducts research in two areas: public health and medicines optimisation, with a particular focus on cardiovascular diseases and mental health. Work in public health includes studies in physical exercise, alcohol, cardiovascular screening and spirometry testing, plus pharmacovigilance. Studies in medicines optimisation include work in dementia, bipolar disorder and stroke, with an emphasis on the patient perspective.
Staff research interests
Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.
General additional costs
Find out more about general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:
- University and external funds
- Scholarships specific to the academic school delivering this programme.