Pharmacist Professional Programme

Key Details

Registration: Applications taken all year round
Assessment: Multimodal depending on module, including:

Assessment of practice

Essay

Clinical Simulation
Credit value: 10
Module fee: £590 per module

Scroll For More

Overview

UEA has been at the forefront of pharmacist postgraduate training for a decade, ensuring our training programs are fit for practitioners providing a contemporary pharmaceutical care service in all patient-related settings.

This suite of modules supports pharmacists who are looking for discrete packages of learning to address CPD needs or to support curiosity-driven study in clinical and operational areas relevant to contemporary pharmacy practice.

It’s ideal for pharmacists who are changing specialities or returning to work after a career break, and are looking to be brought up to date by an expert facilitator. We also support pharmacists who are identifying relevant CPD to inform Advanced Practice portfolios. We are particularly interested in hearing from dormant prescribers who are seeking support to embrace prescribing practice in new or existing roles and work consistently at the top of their skill set.

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.

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.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to undertake, with minimal supervision, the following Core Clinical Assessment skills as they pertain to the module selection:

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 (1 of 2)

Students can select from the following range of 10 credit modules, each lasting around 3 months:

Core Clinical Skills (including Core Clinical Assessment skills)

Students taking this module will be learning the fundamental skills needed to effectively undertake the role of the Clinical Pharmacist professionally and autonomously. There is a focus on broad data collection and integration (including physical assessment skills), the key aspects of clinical reasoning as well as clear, unambiguous communication both verbally and in writing.

Student feedback:

"Excellent session, presented really well. I learnt so many new things that I can now apply to my own clinical practice. Excellent learning opportunity and the session was delivered very well."

Learning outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret patient-specific data commonly associated with disease risk, general diagnostics and the monitoring of patient care
Predict how these patient-specific data could be altered by drugs and disease processes
Identify factors which may produce erroneous or misleading patient-specific data
Analyse patient-specific data to classify organ function (e.g. renal or liver impairment) in order to design alternative regimes and monitor treatment goals
Recommend and apply an appropriate selection of patient-specific data to monitor patient outcomes
Integrate a broad range of patient-specific data and form reasonable judgements about the nature and severity of the underlying clinical issues
Create patient-centred, evidence-informed management plans focussed around the effective, safe and judicious use of therapeutics relative to the current clinical status of the patient and their predicted clinical trajectory
Communicate in verbal and written form using language and behaviour that is motivational and unambiguous, in a structured, concise way that leads to action
Practice with the autonomy and authority required of a clinical pharmacist

Core Consultation Skills

Students taking this module will continue to develop the early consultation skills from their undergraduate training, moving into more complex areas such as shared decision making. There is a focus on achieving concordance and training includes techniques such as ALOBA and simulation with professional actors in order to develop consultation skills in safe environments.

Student feedback:

"I enjoyed the session today, I gained a lot of useful tips for my consultations forward especially how to handle difficult situations where I might not know what to say but also how to stay on track. I found the session very engaging and am looking forward to using this moving forward."

Learning outcomes:

Develop a professional, therapeutic relationship with patients, carers, advocates, other prescribers and members of the healthcare team
Communicate with them effectively to achieve shared decision making and concordance

Care of the Older Patient

Students taking this module will be introduced to the complex clinical discipline of Older People’s Medicine and the key pharmaceutical care considerations needed to safety and effectively manage this cohort of patients. Skills in high level medication review and information management and integration across care settings are particularly prioritised for development.

Student feedback:

"Really enjoyed how interactive this session was. Appreciated the variety of tasks and how each facilitator had a different background and outlook on the module."

Learning outcomes:

Evaluate the impact of age associated physiological changes and their relationships with geriatric syndromes
Evaluate the impact of age associated physiological changes on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processing of medicines
Predict the effect of geriatric syndromes and changes in medicine processing in older people in terms of the appropriateness of prescribing
Apply the principles of medicines optimisation when performing medication reviews for older people
Compare and contrast the range of medicines optimisation and deprescribing resources and tools available
Evaluate which of the medicines optimisation and deprescribing resources and tools available may be useful for you to incorporate into your practice
Create patient-centred, evidence-informed pharmaceutical care plans focussed around person-centred use of therapeutics relative to the current clinical status of the patient and their care goals

Care of the Surgical Patient

Students taking this module will be able to predict and assess the impact of a range of surgeries on pharmaceutical care needs and plan for safe, optimal medicines use around key priorities that are demonstrated to improve surgical outcomes throughout the pre-, peri- and postoperative stages of care.

Student feedback:

"Wonderful session with [Facilitator]. She is so engaging and inspiring. Definitely will leave a lasting impact on how I approach surgical pharmacy."

Learning outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret patient-specific data commonly associated with disease risk, general diagnostics and the monitoring of patient care in the pre, peri and postoperative settings
Predict how these patient-specific data could be altered by drugs and disease processes, including the impact of surgical procedures.
Analyse patient-specific data in order to advise on and optimise pharmaceutical care for patients about to undergo elective surgery
Describe common surgical procedures and predict their impact on pharmaceutical care planning at all stages of the surgical journey
Design medication regimes to support symptom management in the peri and postoperative patient including but not limited to analgesia, anti-emetics, fluid support, VTE prophylaxis, antimicrobial prophylaxis and bowel management
Advise colleagues on the management of anticoagulants and diabetes in pre, peri and postoperative patients

Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobials

Students taking this module will be able to integrate the key clinical and public health considerations in order to deliver pharmaceutical care to a range of patients affected by infectious disease, with a particular focus on antimicrobial stewardship, antibiotic choice and monitoring.

Student feedback:

"Good level of discussion & direct teaching - good challenging questions to peer presentations."

Learning outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret patient-specific data commonly associated with the monitoring of patients with infectious disease
Predict how these patient-specific data could be altered by drugs and disease processes
Analyse patient-specific data in order to design regimes and monitor treatment goals
Recommend and apply an appropriate selection of patient-specific data to monitor patient outcomes
Advise colleagues on the evidence-based treatment of patients with infectious diseases
Apply the principles of antimicrobial stewardship at the level of the patient, the organisation and for public health more widely

Therapeutics for Mental Health (non-specialists)

Students taking this module will be able to plan for the safe and effective pharmaceutical management of the care of patients with acute mental health disorders or mental health-related comorbidities alongside physical illness, in presentations relevant to their place of practice. There is a focus on patient-centred, evidenced based care as well as pragmatic considerations, all underpinned by the relevant medicolegal frameworks.

Student feedback:

"I found the session interesting and really appreciated that the facilitator took the time to answer all of my questions and it was especially interesting to get perspectives from primary care and MH hospital perspective as this gave me more joined up thinking."

Learning outcomes:

Define the following mental health disorders: depression, anxiety, delirium and dementia
Apply simple assessment tools to determine the severity of presentation
Explore medico-legal and medico-ethical concepts of capacity, consent, covert administration, enforced treatment and deprivation of liberty (DoL) safeguards
Apply the Mental Health Act 1983 and Mental Capacity Act 2005 appropriately and proportionately when providing pharmaceutical care
Design pharmacotherapeutic regimes to manage acute presentations of the mental health disorders above, combining an evidence-based approach with individual needs
Lead on the safe, effective and judicious use of pharmacotherapeutics including monitoring, dose adjustments and recognition of ADRs
Provide patient with information and support regarding the pharmacotherapeutics above
Explore and provide MDT support for non-pharmacological interventions

Teaching (2 of 2)

Management of Cardiovascular Disease

Students taking this module will be able to integrate the key clinical and public health considerations in order to deliver pharmaceutical care to a range of patients experiencing acute and chronic cardiac conditions, including hypertension, acute coronary syndromes and heart failure.

Student feedback:

"The case studies during the session were very useful and interactive."

Learning outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret patient-specific data commonly associated with disease risk, general diagnostics and the monitoring of patient care in the acute and chronic cardiac setting
Predict how these patient-specific data could be altered by drugs and disease processes
Analyse patient-specific data in order to advise on treatment, primary and secondary prevention strategies in cardiovascular disease
Recommend and apply an appropriate selection of patient-specific data to monitor patient outcomes
Advise colleagues on the evidence-based treatment of patients with chronic heart failure and ischaemic heart disease
Discuss cardiovascular disease and risk from a public health perspective

Respiratory Disease (Asthma, COPD and Bronchiectasis)

Students taking this module will be able to integrate the key clinical and public health considerations in order to deliver pharmaceutical care to a range of patients experiencing acute and chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis.

Student feedback:

"Informative, to the point and relevant to practice. "

Learning outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret patient-specific data commonly associated with disease risk, general diagnostics and the monitoring of patient care in the acute and chronic respiratory setting
Predict how these patient-specific data could be altered by drugs and disease processes
Analyse patient-specific data in order to advise on treatment strategies in respiratory disease, including escalation, de-escalation and rescue
Recommend and apply an appropriate selection of patient-specific data to monitor patient outcomes
Advise colleagues on the evidence-based treatment of patients with bronchiectasis, COPD and asthma
Discuss respiratory disease and risk from a public health perspective (for instance, smoking cessation and self-care)

Diabetes

Students taking this module will be looking to advance their knowledge of and increase their confidence in providing pharmaceutical care to a range of patients affected by all types of diabetes in acute, chronic and emergency presentations. As well as disease pathophysiology and contemporary management there is a strong focus on biopsychosocial influences and a broader public health approach that looks at disease minimisation strategies alongside key therapeutics and the latest technologies.

Student feedback:

"Great session. The facilitator was clear in the information given and answered questions raised well. Helped with practical applications of information given in pre-work."

Learning outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret patient-specific data commonly associated with disease risk, general diagnostics and the monitoring of patient care in Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes, including diabetic emergencies
Analyse patient-specific data in order to advise on treatment and primary and secondary prevention strategies in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, including initiation and intensification of therapy
Recommend and apply an appropriate selection of patient-specific data to monitor patient outcomes
Advise colleagues on the evidence-based treatment of patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, including the management of diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state.
Discuss diabetes and its risks from multiple public health perspectives including disease prevention, harm reduction and non-adherence.

Hepatology with Public Health

Students taking this module will be looking to advance their knowledge of and increase their confidence in providing pharmaceutical care to a range of patients affected by acute and chronic liver dysfunction. As well as disease pathophysiology and contemporary management there is a strong focus on biopsychosocial influences and a broader public health approach that looks at disease prevention and harm minimisation strategies alongside key therapeutics.

Student feedback:

"I thought this was a really great session. The care plans while scary at first were really well broken down so that you could process the information. I felt I really could apply the elearning to it which was great considering I've always really struggled with anything liver related. I also really enjoyed the research around my public health topic, it was good to see another side of pharmacy where we can also use our skills."

Learning outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret patient-specific data commonly associated with disease risk, general diagnostics and the monitoring of patient care in acute and chronic hepatology specialisms, including disease staging, and functional impairment (decompensation)
Identify drugs that pose pharmacokinetic challenges when designing therapeutic regimes in liver disease
Analyse patient-specific data in order to advice on treatment, primary and secondary prevention strategies in hepatic disease
Recommend and apply an appropriate selection of patient-specific data to monitor patient outcomes
Advise colleagues on the evidence-based treatment of patients with chronic and acute manifestations of hepatic disease
Discuss hepatic disease from multiple public health perspectives including disease prevention and harm reduction

Renal therapeutics

Students taking this module will be looking to advance their knowledge of and increase their confidence in providing pharmaceutical care to a range of patients affected by acute and chronic renal dysfunction, including renal replacement, associated hormonal disorders and renal transplant. As well as disease pathophysiology and contemporary management there is a strong focus on service design and disease modification alongside key therapeutics.

Student feedback:

"Amazing session and very inspiring! Lots of learning! Makes me want to become renal/transplant pharmacist!"

Learning outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret patient-specific data commonly associated with disease risk, general diagnostics and the monitoring of patient care in acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, during renal replacement therapy and the care of a transplanted kidney
Identify drugs that pose pharmacokinetic challenges when designing therapeutic regimes in low clearance states
Analyse patient-specific data in order to advice on treatment strategies in low clearance states
Recommend and apply an appropriate selection of patient-specific data to monitor patient outcomes
Advise colleagues on the evidence-based treatment of patients with chronic and acute manifestations of renal disease, including dose adjustment, nephroprotection and dialysability
Discuss renal disease from multiple public health perspectives including disease prevention and harm reduction

Patient Safety

Students taking this module will be introduced to industry recognised strategies and toolkits to improve safety culture in their organisation as well as safety outcomes for individual patients. This module is underpinned by the NHS Patient Safety Syllabus developed by the Academy of Medical Colleges in conjunction with Health Education England.

Student feedback:

"I thought the session was of a very high quality and standard. The best one I have experienced. I liked how interactive the session was, it really kept me focused."

Learning outcomes:

Describe the differences between Safety I and Safety II
Explain the importance of stakeholder engagement for patient safety
Identify risks to patients
Recognise the impact of human factors in healthcare
Apply professional standards to maintaining patient safety
Recognise the effect of system design on safety
Contribute to the development of safety culture through reflection, self-awareness, and role modelling
Demonstrate learning from incidents and implement cultural change as a result

Leadership in Healthcare

Students taking this module will be introduced to industry recognised approaches to negotiating complex systems in order to achieve organisational goals. They will look closely at theories of people, power, culture and change and apply them to their own workplace, starting their journey towards becoming a visionary leader. Through self-reflection and facilitated discussion, they will explore pharmacy leadership in the key contexts of Patient Experience (PE) and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Student feedback:

"Really interesting session and opened my eyes to my current leadership style and has given me confidence to try different leadership styles."

Learning outcomes:

Describe the key principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) and Patient Experience (PE) as leadership priorities in own workplace
Explain the significance of effective leadership in organisations using Golden Threads Theory
Define leadership as a behaviour, and be able to spot good leadership, in differing styles
Critically evaluate self as a manager and leader, plan and pursue personal development in this area
Implement coaching-based leadership to maximise team development
Analyse a service in the context of key healthcare leadership priorities
Lead in the application of the Professional Standards for Pharmacy

Clinical Education

Students taking this module will be introduced to the theory and practice of being clinical educators. They will explore a variety of learning support techniques including a broad range of enhancing technologies that they will use to design effective interventions that optimise clinical behaviour through education.

Student feedback:

"Good pace of the session. Good range of topics covered and we weren't overwhelmed with too much information. Very engaging due to the activities included. Thanks!"

Learning outcomes:

Discuss the attributes of Clinical Educators and the impact of those attributes on learner success
Identify learning needs at an individual, departmental and organisational level
Create learning outcomes based on Blooms Taxonomy that are appropriate to the learner and the knowledge
Design evidence-based teaching interventions that illicit deep learning and lead to long term behaviour change
Facilitate a range of clinical educational opportunities including one to one, small group, large scale, synchronous and asynchronous, incorporating appropriate tools and technologies and including a range of learners
Measure learner success

Research

Students taking this module will develop the knowledge and skills to enable them to critically appraise primary literature. This module is designed to develop practice-based research skills in pharmacists to facilitate the delivery of evidence-based pharmaceutical care and to nurture understanding of how to create new evidence to expand the frontiers of pharmacy practice.

Student feedback:

"I found this really useful. [Facilitator] made me feel really at ease when I was unsure if I had prepared appropriately. A thoroughly enjoyable day that will inform my future work."

Learning outcomes:

Identify strategies for searching the literature.
Critique published literature and discuss with peers.
Present findings from a research project and draw out potential implications for own practice/service provision to improve patient care.
Describe the differences between audit, service evaluation, quality improvement and research.
Identify the features of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Describe the qualities of ethical research, including consent, confidentiality and governance.
Describe the principles of health economics when applied to research.
Create a proposal, applying the principles of good research practice.

Awards

A certificate of completion will be awarded at the end of each module studied.