Module Directory

This module will enable you to gain the knowledge and skills required for safe, appropriate, and effective prescribing practice as you become eligible to apply for the annotation to your regulator register as an Independent and/or Supplementary Prescriber. You will become equipped and ready to be responsible and accountable for the assessment of patients with diagnosed and undiagnosed conditions, together with the decision-making skills required in clinical management.

Key features of the module:

• Successful completion entitles you to apply to your respective regulator for annotation as a non-medical prescriber.


• Provides you with a critical understanding of the necessary clinical and practical aspects of prescribing.


• Gives you the appropriate knowledge that underpins applied pharmacology.


• Provides you with an understanding of the legal and ethical implications of prescribing.

The aims of this module are:

• To prepare Registered Nurses, SCPHNs, Physiotherapists, Therapeutic Radiographers, Podiatrists and Paramedics to be safe and effective supplementary and independent prescribers in line with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Competency Framework for Prescribers.


• To develop participants' person-centred practices and encourage personal growth and professional development.


• To foster critical approaches to clinical reasoning and person-centred care when engaged in prescribing practices.

The learning outcomes are based on and mapped to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Competency Framework for all prescribers (RPS, 2021) (see appendix), the NMC standards for prescribing programmes (NMC, 2018), HCPC standards for prescribing (HCPC, 2019), and the Outline Curriculum Framework for Education programme to Prepare Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Therapeutic Radiographers and Paramedics as independent supplementary/prescribers (Allied Health Profession Federation, AHFP, 2017).

On completing this module, the student should be able to:

1. Undertake a comprehensive clinical history, including medications history and a review of current medications (including over the counter (OTC), complementary and alternative therapies) to inform diagnosis (RPS Competency 1, 5, 7).


2. Recognise the wide range of contextual, legal, social, and individual factors that must be considered when engaging in clinical reasoning and decision-making as an accountable and responsible prescriber (RPS Competency 1, 2, 3, 7, 8).


3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of pharmacological interventions and apply this knowledge systematically in assessment, prescribing, dosage calculations, monitoring and medication reviewing practices (RPS 1, 2, 4, 6).


4. Demonstrate a consistently safe, person-centred, and ethical approach to prescribing practices and dosage calculations, reviewing organisational practices and systems related to prescribing (RPS 2, 4, 5, 6, 7).


5. Analyse and evaluate own performance as independent and supplementary prescribers, and the performance of other practitioners, utilising and contributing to strategies that offer feedback and development, such as clinical supervision and critical reflective practice (RPS 8, 9, 10).


6. Demonstrate collaborative practice and shared decision-making with service users and the interprofessional teams, clearly articulating the roles and responsibilities of others involved in prescribing, supplying, and administering medications (RPS 3, 5, 9, 10).

The overriding aim of the teaching and learning strategy is to ensure that the participants on the module become competent prescribers.  To that end, the following combination of methods will be employed:

• Synchronous, interactive lectures, group work, and scenario- and case-based learning on Zoom
• Technology-enhanced learning activities within the virtual learning environment. Moodle is used to enhance learning by using scenarios and problem-based approaches to case studies
• Reflective practice and peer supervision of practice experience in action learning tutorial
• One-to-one supervision with Academic Assessor/Personal Tutor
• Critical inquiry scenarios to examine prescribing behaviours, practices, and systems
• Independent, self-directed learning to consolidate experiential learning undertaken in the formal virtual and practice learning environments
• 90 hours of supervised and assessed practice-based learning using a Portfolio of Practice Evidence to reflect upon experiences and to demonstrate competence and proficiency