Course Structure

Study part-time by distance and work-based learning

Introduction

Hospital pharmacists who have completed the NI Foundation Programme (or equivalent) will receive 60 credits. The remaining 60 credits are delivered in the following modules: PMY7040 Advanced Therapeutics (includes respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and infectious disease) Plus the non-medical prescribing modules: PMY7070 Person-centred care and collaboration PMY7071 Disease management PMY7072 Clinical skills PMY7073 Professionalism Note: Following publication of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum in 2022, the content of the Advanced Pharmacy Practice programme is being reviewed for 2023 entry.

Teaching Times

Teaching is delivered via a combination of distance and work-based learning, and on-campus workshops.

Career Prospects

Introduction
This Masters/PG Diploma programme in Advanced Pharmacy Practice enhances the opportunities for hospital-based pharmacists in Northern Ireland to progress their career to Advanced Pharmacist level.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

Modules

• Year 1

  Core Modules

  Disease management (10 credits)

  ×

  Disease management

  Overview

  Prior to commencing the course, students are required to identify their clinical or therapeutic area(s) of practice in which they intend to prescribe. They identify personal learning outcomes relevant to their chosen therapeutic areas and undertake self-study that enables them to prescribe and modify therapy for identified disease conditions. Students study self-teaching material relating to evidence-based practice and the development of a Treatment Plan as part of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion the student will be able to:
  
  • Apply local, regional and national guidelines, policies and legislation related to healthcare
  
  • Reflect on and develop their own prescribing practice to ensure it represents current best practice
  
  • Apply an understanding of health economics when making prescribing decisions
  
  • Apply evidence-based decision making in all aspects of prescribing
  
  • Manage the risks and benefits associated with prescribing decisions
  
  • Recognise when to seek guidance from another member of the healthcare team or an appropriate authority
  
  • Recognise when and where to refer people appropriately
  
  • Demonstrate the application of pharmacology in relation to their own prescribing practice
  
  • Identify relevant investigations and interpret results and data in their prescribing practice
  
  • Apply the principles of effective monitoring and management to improve patient outcomes
  
  • Recognise the public health issues in promoting health as part of their prescribing practice.

  Skills

  • Time management and prioritisation
  
  • Oral and written communication to professional and non-professional audiences
  
  • Decision making
  
  • Critical appraisal
  
  • Working in a multidisciplinary team

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  10

  Module Code

  PMY7071

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  8 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Clinical skills (10 credits)

  ×

  Clinical skills

  Overview

  Students receive instruction and are assessed on their ability to perform basic physical examination skills.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion the student will be able to:
  
  
  
  • Demonstrate clinical and diagnostic skills in clinical settings appropriate to their scope of practice.
  
  • Outline the general principles of physical examination
  
  • Assess general appearance
  
  • Describe how to assess vital signs
  
  • Outline the specific anatomy and physiology concepts that underpin clinical examination skills for the cardiovascular, respiratory and abdominal systems
  
  • Demonstrate examination of the cardiovascular, respiratory and abdominal systems

  Skills

  • Time management and prioritisation
  
  • Clinical and diagnostic skills
  
  • Communication skills

  Coursework

  50%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  50%

  Credits

  10

  Module Code

  PMY7072

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  6 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Professionalism (10 credits)

  ×

  Professionalism

  Overview

  Students study material that enables them to prescribe safely within a legal and ethical framework with due regard to their role in relation to safeguarding and human rights.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion the student will be able to:
  
  
  
  • Understand and meet their legal responsibilities under equality and human rights legislation and respect diversity and cultural differences
  
  • Recognise their own role as a responsible and accountable prescriber who understands legal and ethical implications
  
  • Recognise and manage prescribing and medication errors
  
  • Understand the clinical governance of the prescriber, who may also be in a position to supply medicines to people
  
  • Manage the risks and benefits associated with prescribing decisions
  
  • Support individuals to make informed choices that respect people’s preferences
  
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the prescriber in working in partnership with people who may not be able to make fully informed decisions about their health needs
  
  • Identify and respond to people’s need when prescribing remotely
  
  • Utilise current and emerging systems and technologies in safe prescribing
  
  • Create and maintain appropriate records which ensure safe and effective care and align with relevant legislation
  
  • Apply relevant legislation and ethical frameworks related to prescribing, including remote prescribing and the handling and sharing of confidential information
  
  • Recognise their own role and responsibilities, and those of others, in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
  
  • Recognise other professionals’ practice and raise concerns related to inappropriate or unsafe prescribing by other prescribers
  
  • Recognise when to seek guidance from another member of the healthcare team or an appropriate authority

  Skills

  • Time management and prioritisation
  
  • Decision-making
  
  • Independent learning

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  10

  Module Code

  PMY7073

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  4 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Person-centred care and collaboration (10 credits)

  ×

  Person-centred care and collaboration

  Overview

  Students study material relating to the influences on, and psychology of prescribing. They gain understanding of the psychological and physical impact of prescribing decisions on people and how to manage factors that may influence prescribing decisions. They will learn about their role in caring for patients, including how to undertake a consultation, take an accurate history and subsequently manage the patient, including when and where to refer them appropriately.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion the student will be able to:
  
  •Demonstrate appropriate history-taking techniques through effective consultation skills
  
  •Demonstrate appropriate consultation skills to get information from individuals who are either unaware of or guarded about their health needs, to inform safe prescribing
  
  •Recognise when to seek guidance from another member of the healthcare team or an appropriate authority
  
  •Demonstrate a critical understanding of their own role and the role of others in multi-professional teams
  
  •Create and maintain appropriate records which ensure safe and effective care and align with relevant legislation
  
  •Work collaboratively with others to optimise individuals’ care, understanding their roles in the prescribing process
  
  •Recognise when and where to refer people appropriate
  
  •Recognise the psychological and physical impact of prescribing decisions on people
  
  •Collaborate with people to encourage them to take responsibility for managing care
  
  •Manage the risks and benefits associated with prescribing decisions
  
  •Recognise the public health issues in promoting health as part of their prescribing practice
  
  •Recognise and manage factors that may influence prescribing decisions
  
  •Support individuals to make informed choices that respect people’s preferences
  
  •Take responsibility for ensuring that person-centred care is not compromised because of personal values and beliefs

  Skills

  • Time management and prioritisation
  
  • Oral and written communication to professional and non-professional audiences
  
  • Patient consultation
  
  • Working in a multidisciplinary team

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  10

  Module Code

  PMY7070

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  4 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Clinical Effectiveness (15 credits)

  ×

  Clinical Effectiveness

  Overview

  The main focus of the module is on experiential learning in the workplace. In this module, the competencies associated with pharmaceutical services such as Medicines Information, medicines governance, formulary development and effective procurement practices are used to plan, conduct and evaluate the student’s learning. Each competency has one or more behavioural statements defining how that competency would be recognised. During the module, students undertake a variety of practice activities which have been designed to help them to develop competence in clinical effectiveness, and can be used in their portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their developing competence. In addition, students are required to undertake a minimum of 10 hours of CPD to develop their underpinning knowledge. Reflective practice is encouraged and students are expected to maintain appropriate CPD records.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion, students will be able to:
  
  Search effectively for medicines information
  Communicate accurate and reliable information to patients, carers and healthcare staff
  Manage a safety incident appropriately
  Discuss the importance of medication incident reporting and learning from incidents
  Undertake a professional audit
  Describe the principles of evidence-based decision making
  Manage the procurement of pharmaceutical products appropriately
  Apply the principles of quality improvement in the delivery of procurement services
  Describe the principles of formulary management.

  Skills

  Students will develop the following skills:
  
  Time management
  Written communication
  Independent learning
  Problem solving

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  15

  Module Code

  PMY7049

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  7 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Hospital Dispensary Services (15 credits)

  ×

  Hospital Dispensary Services

  Overview

  The main focus of the module is on experiential learning in the workplace. In this module, the competencies associated with the hospital dispensary are used to plan, conduct and evaluate the student’s learning. Each competency has one or more behavioural statements defining how that competency would be recognised. During the module, students undertake a variety of practice activities which have been designed to help them to develop competence in the dispensary, and can be used in their portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their developing competence. In addition, students are required to undertake a minimum of 10 hours of CPD to develop their underpinning knowledge. Reflective practice is encouraged and students are expected to maintain appropriate CPD records.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion, students will be able to:
  
  Describe the legal and professional responsibilities of hospital pharmacy staff working in the dispensary
  Manage the provision of specialist medicines, controlled drugs, unlicensed medicines and clinical trial medicines appropriately
  Process clinical information to determine if a patient’s treatment is optimal
  Describe the principles of evidence-based decision making
  Identify and intervene whenever patient safety in relation to medicines may be at risk
  Communicate accurate and reliable information to patients, carers and healthcare staff
  Apply the principles of quality improvement in the delivery of dispensing services

  Skills

  Students will develop the following skills:
  
  Time management
  Written communication
  Independent learning
  Problem solving

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  15

  Module Code

  PMY7046

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  8 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Hospital Technical Services (15 credits)

  ×

  Hospital Technical Services

  Overview

  The main focus of the module is on experiential learning in the workplace. In this module, the competencies associated with the hospital pharmacy technical services are used to plan, conduct and evaluate the student’s learning. Each competency has one or more behavioural statements defining how that competency would be recognised. During the module, students undertake a variety of practice activities which have been designed to help them to develop competence in technical services, and can be used in their portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their developing competence. In addition, students are required to undertake a minimum of 10 hours of CPD to develop their underpinning knowledge. Reflective practice is encouraged and students are expected to maintain appropriate CPD records.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion, students will be able to:
  
  Describe the legal and professional responsibilities of hospital pharmacy staff working in technical services
  Manage the provision of cytotoxic medicines and other products for parenteral use appropriately
  Process clinical and pharmaceutical information to determine if a patient’s treatment is optimal
  Describe the principles of evidence-based decision making
  Identify and intervene whenever patient safety in relation to medicines may be at risk
  Communicate accurate and reliable information to patients, carers and healthcare staff
  Apply the principles of quality improvement in the delivery of technical services.

  Skills

  Students will develop the following skills:
  
  Time management
  Written communication
  Independent learning
  Problem solving

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  15

  Module Code

  PMY7047

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  7 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Hospital Clinical Services (15 credits)

  ×

  Hospital Clinical Services

  Overview

  The main focus of the module is on experiential learning in the workplace. In this module, the competencies associated with the hospital pharmacy clinical / medicines management services are used to plan, conduct and evaluate the student’s learning. Each competency has one or more behavioural statements defining how that competency would be recognised. During the module, students undertake a variety of practice activities which have been designed to help them to develop competence in clinical / medicines management services, and can be used in their portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their developing competence. In addition, students are required to undertake a minimum of 10 hours of CPD to develop their underpinning knowledge. Reflective practice is encouraged and students are expected to maintain appropriate CPD records.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion, students will be able to:
  
  Identify and access clinical information that is relevant to individual patients
  Process clinical information to determine if a patient’s treatment is optimal
  Plan and implement changes when drug treatment is not optimal
  Describe the principles of evidence-based decision making
  Identify and intervene whenever patient safety in relation to medicines may be at risk
  Communicate accurate and reliable information to patients, carers and healthcare staff
  Explain how effective medicines management can be applied to each stage of the patient journey
  Apply the principles of quality improvement in the delivery of clinical services.

  Skills

  Students will develop the following skills:
  
  Time management
  Written communication
  Independent learning
  Problem solving

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Credits

  15

  Module Code

  PMY7048

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  8 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Advanced therapeutics (20 credits)

  ×

  Advanced therapeutics

  Overview

  Students study directed reading which is designed to provide an evidence-based knowledge of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, drug treatment and clinical management of diabetes and common respiratory, cardiovascular and infectious diseases.
  
  The module includes on-campus workshops designed to develop the advanced-level clinical skills that are appropriate for the pharmaceutical care of patients with these diseases.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion, students will be able to:
  
  Demonstrate specialist pharmaceutical knowledge in the care of patients with diabetes and common respiratory, cardiovascular and infectious diseases.
  Plan, manage, monitor, advise and review specialist pharmaceutical care programmes for patients with diabetes and common respiratory, cardiovascular and infectious diseases.
  Deliver pharmaceutical care to patients with diabetes and common respiratory, cardiovascular and infectious diseases.
  Demonstrate a holistic approach to patient care.
  Implement professional policies/procedures and clinical guidelines.

  Skills

  Students are required to work to a time schedule and will develop their time management skills. In addition, students will develop their analytical, judgemental and interpretational skills and will be able to demonstrate the application of decision-making skills in complex situations.

  Coursework

  0%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  100%

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  PMY7040

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  6 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

Entrance requirements

Graduate
A primary degree in Pharmacy (minimum Bachelor Degree) from an institution approved by the University. Additionally all applicants must:

- have identified a designated medical practitioner prior to commencing the prescribing modules;

- have completed the NICPLD foundation/vocational training (VT) programme or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience;

- be employed as a hospital pharmacist.

Please note: this programme is open only to applicants who are resident in Northern Ireland or pharmacists in Ireland by prior agreement between QUB and the applicant's employer.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2023 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

Please Select Your Country/Region Please Select Your Country/Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bolivia Bosnia And Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Cambodia Cameroon Canada Chile China Mainland Colombia Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Ecuador Egypt Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong (SAR) Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lativa Lebanon Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Macau (SAR) Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Malta Mauritius Mexico Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria Norway Oman Pakistan Palestine Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka St Vincent And The Grenadines Sudan Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uruguay USA Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

English Language Requirements

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

Career Prospects

Introduction
This Masters/PG Diploma programme in Advanced Pharmacy Practice enhances the opportunities for hospital-based pharmacists in Northern Ireland to progress their career to Advanced Pharmacist level.

Additional Awards Gained(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)

Prizes and Awards(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

PREV
Entry requirements

NEXT
Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1	£4,930
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2	£4,930
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1	£4,930
EU Other 3	N/A
International	N/A

The fee indicated is for the two-year programme.

 

¹ EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

² EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2023-24, and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Advanced Pharmacy Practice (with Independent Prescribing) costs

There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

---

Download Postgraduate Prospectus