Postgraduate Certificate in Prescribing Studies

At the end of this course you, the student, will be able to:
1. Prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively, in line with the legal, ethical and professional framework for accountability; within a prescribing partnership where appropriate.

2. Communicate effectively with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals, and make shared treatment decisions with these groups as appropriate.

3. Apply clinical assessment skills to recognize the signs and symptoms of illness, to take patient histories, to form a diagnosis and to formulate, modify and review treatment plans as appropriate.

4. Accurately choose and use appropriate diagnostic aids for prescribing and monitoring treatment.

5. Recognise, evaluate and respond to evidence-based information, advice, relevant national/local guidelines and individual patient requirements when prescribing.

6. Work within all aspects of current clinical governance frameworks.

You must be registered as a pharmacist with either the GPhC or the PSNI, and have a minimum of two years’ post-registration experience in a clinical, patient-facing role. We require the written support of your employer (unless self-employed) to undertake this course, and you must have the support and agreement from a suitably experienced medical doctor in your chosen field of clinical practice who is willing and eligible to act as your Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) for the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing.