Independent and Supplementary Non-medical Prescribing

This postgraduate 30 credit level 7 module prepares registered health professionals for independent and supplementary non‑medical prescribing in line with NMC (2024), HCPC (2024) and Royal Pharmaceutical Society standards.

Through a blend of classroom teaching, supervised practice and guided independent study, students develop advanced consultation, clinical decision‑making and pharmacology skills.

The module supports safe, ethical and evidence‑based prescribing within the student’s professional scope, enabling them to meet national prescribing competencies and enhance patient care across health and social care settings.

Who is it for?

For registered nurses, midwives and allied health professionals aiming to qualify as independent and supplementary non-medical prescribers with their professional scope of prescribing practice: Independent/Supplementary Prescribers: Registered Nurses (Level 1), Midwives, Physiotherapist, Chiropodists/Podiatrist, Therapeutic Radiographer. Supplementary Prescriber: Dietician, Diagnostic Radiographer

Timetable

There are 12 study days which includes the initial exams. After the taught content, there is a practice-based component for which you are required to complete a minimum of 90 hours of supervision (evidenced in a Practice Assessment Document), and a critical reflective essay (3000 words) based on RPS Competencies 7,8,9 and 10.

• 7, 14, 21, 28 January
• 4, 11, 18, 25 February
• 4, 11, 18, 25 March.

Benefits

Gain 30 postgraduate credits while developing the competence and confidence required for safe, effective prescribing that meets national professional and regulatory standards.

Following successful completion of this moduel, your professional regulator will endorse your registration. Once this is completed and you have support of your employer, you will be ready to start prescribing within your scope of practice.

Transfer course credits towards postgraduate taught degree

As a health care professional, once you've completed this course you could offset 30 credits as part of a postgraduate programme, continuing your study with further modules to make up a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 60 credits, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 credits or Master of Science (MSc) 180 credits qualification (all credits must be awarded within five years of study commencing).

Key topics include:

• consultation skills, shared decision‑making and therapeutic planning
• clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning
• applied pharmacology and medicines optimisation
• legal, ethical and professional accountability in prescribing
• prescribing governance, policy and evidence‑based practice
• interprofessional and team‑based prescribing across care settings.

By the end of the module, you will be able to:

• prescribe safely, appropriately and cost‑effectively within your identified scope of prescribing practice
• apply clinical pharmacology and diagnostic reasoning to prescribing decisions
• evaluate and monitor treatment plans to optimise patient outcomes
• practise ethically and accountably within legal and regulatory frameworks
• work collaboratively within inter-disciplinary and inter-agency prescribing teams
• meet the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Competency Framework for All Prescribers (2021).

Assessment

To pass the module, students must successfully complete:

• Drug calculations examination (100% pass required)
• Pharmacology and prescribing examination (≥80% pass required)
• Prescribing Practice Assessment Document (PAD), including 90 hours of supervised practice
• A 3,000-word written assignment (≥50% pass mark).

Pass requirements reflect national regulatory standards set by the NMC and HCPC.

Credits and certification

This is a 30‑credit Level 7 postgraduate module. On successful completion, students receive formal academic credit and evidence of eligibility to apply for prescribing annotation with their professional regulator (NMC or HCPC).

Credits

This course is worth 30 credits toward eligible programmes.

Please note: applications for this module will not be considered unless you meet all the entry requirements. This is an extremely popular module and applications will be considered on a first come first serve basis.

Please note: There is no flexibility with the entry requirements below. Students are required to meet all requirements before applying for this course.

• a second class or above (2:2 classification) honours degree in a relevant subject from an approved higher education institution or evidence of master’s level CPPD (level 7) study undertaken within the last five years.
• Ability to demonstrate competence and ability to assess, diagnose and manage a patient load by inclusion of a personal statement.
• Current registration with the HCPC as either a Physiotherapist, Paramedic, Chiropodist/Podiatrist or Therapeutic Radiographer (evidence provided by supplying valid NMC/HCPC PIN and expiry date) or NMC either as Registered Nurse (Level1) and/or midwife.
• Registration with the NMC/HCPC for a minimum period of 1 year prior to application in the area of healthcare that you intend to prescribe.
• identification of an area of clinical practice within which your scope of where prescribing practice will be developed.
• Confirmation that your current post requires you to be an Independent and Supplementary Prescriber.
• confirmation of the agreement of an experienced independent prescriber who meet the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Competency Framework for Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPP) to act as your Designated Prescribing Practitioner during the 90 hours of learning in prescribing practice.
• confirmation that your employing organisation will support you to undertake the module and that the support provided will include:
  • 12 days to attend scheduled study and assessment days and engage in guided study activities set by the university.
  • arrangements to support a supervised period of learning in prescribing practice equivalent to a minimum of 90 hours.
  • protected time to engage in practice development activities with an identified Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) and Practice Supervisor (NMC registrants only).
  • access to appropriate prescribing related learning opportunities in practice.

English requirements

For those students whose first language is not English the following qualification is also required:

• IELTS: 7.0.

Some useful literature to read in advance and during the course:

• Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2021) A Competency Framework for all Prescribers
• NMS and HCPC Standards for Prescribing
• Pathophysiology and Pharmacology.

Further reading recommendations will be made throughout the course.