Independent Prescribing and Clinical Decision Making (Taught)

Why study Independent Prescribing and Clinical Decision Making at Liverpool John Moores University?
Our Postgraduate Certificates (PgCerts) enable you to study masters level modules in a specific area of practice relevant to your specialism or chosen area of development.

Our PgCerts are ideal if you:

• Would like to experience level 7 study in a particular area of practice without the commitment to a full Masters award

• Are looking for specific areas of professional development or training

• Already have a masters degree and are looking to focus on specialist practice

• Want to undertake a masters eventually and gain some credits that can be transferred into the masters award.

The PgCert in Independent Prescribing and Clinical Decision Making is a comprehensive package of essential knowledge, skills and tools to enhance your professional development within this area of practice.

About this course
A comprehensive package of essential knowledge, skills and tools to enhance your professional development within this area of practice.

The PGCert Independent Prescribing and Clinical Decision Making is designed for registered healthcare professionals who want to develop their clinical reasoning, assessment and prescribing practice at master’s level.

You will build the knowledge, skills and confidence to apply pathophysiology to patient presentations, undertake safe and holistic clinical assessments, formulate differential diagnoses and make evidence-informed decisions within your scope of practice.

The course also prepares you to prescribe safely, appropriately and cost-effectively in line with legal, professional and regulatory requirements. This includes developing your understanding of medicines optimisation, accountability, person-centred care and the professional responsibilities of independent and supplementary prescribers.

The programme is particularly relevant if you are seeking to develop enhanced or advanced level capabilities, extend your professional scope of practice, or support service development within your clinical area.

The course is delivered part-time over 52 weeks and comprises three 20 credit modules.

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

Assessment across the programme is designed to reflect the knowledge, skills and professional capabilities required in contemporary healthcare practice. You will complete a range of assessments that allow you to demonstrate applied knowledge, clinical reasoning, practical skills and professional competence.

7008NAPPG - Applied Pathophysiology

You will undertake a 2-hour written examination that allows you to demonstrate your understanding of disease processes and apply pathophysiological knowledge to patient presentations, including why disease develops, how it may progress and how interventions can support symptom control and disease management.

7002NAPPG - Clinical Assessment and Decision Making

This module is assessed through a practical examination and practice-based competency evidence. The practical examination assesses your ability to apply clinical assessment and decision-making skills in a simulated practice context. All required elements of the practical examination must be passed.

You will also complete Mini-CEX assessments in practice. These allow you to demonstrate clinical assessment and decision-making capability within your own clinical setting.

7100NPAPP - Independent and Supplementary Prescribing

This module is assessed in line with NMC and HCPC requirements for registration as a prescriber.

Assessment includes a pharmacology and law examination, a numeracy examination, a prescribing portfolio and a clinical assessment document. The portfolio includes reflective work, a personal formulary, a record of practice hours and a learning needs assessment.

Your clinical assessment document demonstrates achievement of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society competency framework for all prescribers.