Practice Certificate in Non-medical Prescribing for Paramedics

This module enables Paramedics to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to practice as independent prescribers, and to meet the standards set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

This course is for practitioners who are registered as a paramedic and in good standing with the Health Care Professions Council. Applicants must be working at an advanced practice level with appropriate  post-registration patient-orientated experience, in a relevant practice setting and an identified area in which to develop independent prescribing practice.

Prescribing by a range of professionals has developed over a number of years, enabling improvements to the efficiency and effectiveness of health care provision. The post-graduate practice certificates in non-medical prescribing have been developed to meet growing demand for prescribing courses nationally and locally. The course is one core 40 credit module studied over two semesters that enables practitioners to work autonomously when making clinical decisions for the people in their care, with awareness of personal limitations within their expanding scope of professional competence. This inter-professional programme enables learners to develop their knowledge and skills to become qualified Non-Medical Prescribers (NMP) (also known as Independent / Supplementary prescribers) as recognised by their professional regulatory body.

How you are assessed

Practical: Requires the completion of an OSCE for prescribing

Exam 1: requires the successful completion of calculations test (100% pass mark) and an examination in pharmacology and its application to practice (80% pass mark)

Course Work: requires the presentation of an evidence-based poster detailing specific drugs, and the submission of an essay

Additionally: practice sign-off (verifying 12 days/90 hours of clinical practice)

On completion, you will be awarded:

• The Postgraduate Practice Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Paramedics.

Course team

• : Senior Lecturer; Programme Leader, DN and community prescriber
• Tony Daly: Senior Lecturer and Independent Prescriber
• Alan Bloomer:  Pharmacist Lecturer and Independent Prescriber
• Margaret Stone:  Pharmacist Lecturer
• Rachel Lewis: Pharmacist Lecturer and Independent Prescriber
• Jennifer Lee: Pharmacist Lecturer and Independent Prescriber
• : Lecturer Advanced Practice, Independent Prescriber and Advanced Nurse Practitioner
• Donna Brewster: Lecturer Advanced Practice, Independent Prescriber and Advanced Nurse Practitione
• Helen Johnson: Lecturer Advanced Practice, Independent Prescriber and Advanced Nurse Practitioner

To speak with a member of the academic team please contact prescribing@derby.ac.uk 

• Select and evaluate sources of information and apply masterful knowledge of pharmacology to promote informed choice and safe, appropriate, cost-effective prescribing practice.
• Judiciously apply clinical assessment, consultation, investigation and communication skills to guide the diagnosis, shared decision-making, treatment planning, accurate advice and safety-netting for people in your care.
• Evaluate key professional, ethical, legal and governance principles in relation to roles, team working, continuing development, public health and influences on prescribing practice

In order to gain entry onto the Education Programme, applicants must meet each of the criteria listed:

• Be registered with the HCPC in one of the relevant allied health professions.
• Be professionally practising in an environment where there is an identified need for the individual to regularly use independent/supplementary prescribing
• Be able to demonstrate support from their employer/sponsor including confirmation that the entrant will have appropriate supervised practise in the clinical area in which they are expected to prescribe
• Be able to demonstrate medicines and clinical governance arrangements are in place to support safe and effective supplementary/independent prescribing
• Have normally at least 3 years relevant post-qualification experience in the clinical area in which they will be prescribing.
• Be working at an advanced practitioner or equivalent level.
• Be able to demonstrate how they reflect on their own performance and take responsibility for their own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) including development of networks for support, reflection and learning.
• Provide evidence of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) DBS36 check within the last 3 years.
• Have an approved practice educator (PE) or medical practitioner (DMP), normally recognised by the employer / commissioning organisation as having:
  • Experience in the relevant field of practice
  • Training and experience in the supervision, support and assessment of trainees, and agreed to:
    • Provide the student with opportunities to develop competences in prescribing
    • Supervise, support and assess the student during their clinical placement

As a professional course, you need to Apply directly to the University. as well as provide evidence of meeting the specific professional requirements. The entry requirements are assessed through an additional form and your University application cannot be considered until we receive and review this professional form. The professional pre-admission form and further information can be found on our University of Derby Online (UDoL) pre-admission course "Prescribing Preparation".

Find out more about how to meet the professional requirements.

LBR funding

If you are applying for an LBR funded place, find out more about LBR and whether you are eligible for an LBR course.

Apply directly to the University

In addition to the online system, please complete the "Pre-admission Portfolio" to provide evidence of meeting the professional requirements. 

Contact us

If you want to find out more about studying a short course, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.