Newly Qualified Pharmacist training pathway (NQP)
Key Details
- Registration deadline
- Winter cohort Applications open 18th September 2024 Applications close 3rd November 2024
- Induction dates
- Winter cohort 9th January 2025 (UEA) 14th January 2025 (Harlow)
- Submission deadline
- Winter cohort - January 2027
- Credit value & fees
- 120
£56 per credit
Overview
The NQP pathway has evolved from our acclaimed Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Practice, which has trained the East of England's Pharmacists for over a decade.
Underpinned by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Foundation Pharmacist Framework and curricula, students undertaking this course will submit to the national credentialing assessment by the RPS at the point of completion to prepare them for the conferment of Completed Post-registration Foundation Training Status (upon completion of IP) in addition to the PGDip. We are the only course available in England that works explicitly towards this dual recognition.
UEA’s training is rigorous and will challenge you to think differently about all aspects of the way you practice with a focus on achieving excellent patient outcomes through pharmaceutical care.
Our NQP course has been designed for practitioners new to or returning to the pharmacist workforce who are looking to establish a trajectory towards advanced practice from a very firm foundation.
This course works for pharmacists who are looking for a structured, aspirational postregistration experience that combines clinical, operational and academic attributes to create a rounded practitioner ready to move towards healthcare leadership and clinical specialism.
It’s also perfect for pharmacists looking for less pressured approaches to study who may wish to factor in career breaks, or those who envisage a highly mobile early career that requires flexibility in both timing and study topics.
This course blends research-informed theory with the practical knowledge and support of a team of highly experienced Clinical Pharmacists in a range of current practice to deliver challenging, relevant teaching and outcomes that are immediately applicable to practice.
Learning Outcomes
In addition to individual module-level outcomes, students will achieve all the descriptors of the RPS Postregistration Foundation Framework.
Students will also be able to undertake, with minimal supervision, the following Core Clinical Assessment skills:
- Blood pressure (manual and automated)
- Heart rate and rhythm (manual and automated)
- Temperature
- Respiratory rate
- Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)
- Peripheral O2 saturation
- Urinalysis
- Height, weight and BMI
- Capillary blood glucose
- Capillary refill time
- NEWS2 scoring
- Chest examination (Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation)
- Ear, nose and throat examination
- Mental and cognitive state examination
- Depression and anxiety screening
Teaching
Informed by the four pillars of Advanced Practice and mapped to the RPS Foundation Framework, you will be exposed to theoretical and practice-based learning addressing themes of Clinical Practice, Research, Education and Leadership, ensuring you are equipped to pursue a variety of career opportunities. The course entails independent online learning, self-directed study, workplace learning, and assessment and contact days led by UEA’s specialist team of clinical educators.
The course will help pharmacists in all person-facing settings to develop high standards of person-centred care, and maximise your contribution to the multidisciplinary healthcare team, the training of your peers and the research that pushes the boundaries of Pharmacy Practice.
Teaching material is hosted on the Virtual Learning Environment Blackboard, from which students will access sophisticate eLearning designed to engage and challenge.
NQP students study a combination of Core and Optional modules, arranged as follows:
All of (core)
- Portfolio of Professional Practice
- Patient Core Clinical Skills (including Core Clinical Assessment skills)
- Core Consultation Skills
- Patient Safety
- Leadership in Healthcare
- Clinical Education
- Research
3 of (optional)
- Care of the Older Patient
- Care of the Surgical Patient
- Infectious Disease and Antimicrobials
- Therapeutics for Mental Health (non-specialist)
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Respiratory disease (Asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis)
- Diabetes
- Hepatology with Public health
- Renal Therapeutics
Programme timeline
|
Month |
PG Dip |
Portfolio of Professional Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Foundation Clinical Skills Compulsory clinical module 10 credits |
Foundation Consultation Skills Compulsory clinical module 10 credits |
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 |
Patient Safety Compulsory professional module 10 credits |
|
| 5 | ||
| 6 | ||
| 7 | ||
|
Interim portfolio review |
||
| 8 | ||
| 9 | ||
| 10 |
Clinical module 1 Student selected module 10 credits |
|
| 11 | ||
| 12 | ||
| 13 |
Clinical module 2 Student selected module 10 credits |
Management and Leadership Compulsory professional module 10 credits |
| 14 | ||
| 15 | ||
| 16 |
Clinical Education Compulsory professional module 10 credits |
|
| 17 | ||
|
Interim portfolio review |
||
| 18 | ||
| 19 |
Research Compulsory professional module 10 credits |
|
| 20 | ||
| 21 | ||
| 22 |
Clinical module 3 Student selected module 10 credits |
|
| 23 | ||
| 24 | ||
|
Total credits |
120 |
30 |
|
Awards |
PG Dip |
RPS credential |
Awards & Workplace Support
Underpinned by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Post-Registration Foundation Pharmacist Curriculum, students completing this course will be eligible for a broad award that recognises academic, professional and prescribing achievement. Upon successful completion the programme will confer:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Practice
- RPS post registration Foundation Pre-Credential (full credential to be awarded upon completion of independent prescribing training
Workplace support
Students studying this pathway need the support of an Educational Supervisor to oversee the development of a professional portfolio.