PGCert INDEPENDENT AND SUPPLEMENTARY PRESCRIBING FOR ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Full details on how to apply will be available here once approval to offer the programme has been received from the HCPC. In preparation for an application the following information may be useful.

Before you apply

1. Confirm you meet the professional entry requirements:

• You must be registered with the HCPC in one of the relevant Allied Health Professions (physiotherapists, podiatrists, therapeutic radiographers, paramedics, diagnostic radiographers, dietitians).
• You are normally expected to have at least three years relevant post-qualification experience in the clinical area in which you will be prescribing.
• You must be working at an advanced practitioner or equivalent level.
• You must be professionally practising in an environment where there is an identified need for you to regularly use independent or supplementary prescribing.
• You must be able to demonstrate support from your employer/sponsor including confirmation you will have appropriate supervised practice in the clinical area in which you are expected to prescribe.
• You must be able to demonstrate medicines and clinical governance arrangements are in place to support safe and effective independent or supplementary prescribing.
• You must be able to demonstrate how you reflect on your own performance and take responsibility for your own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) including development of networks for support, reflection and learning.

2. Applicants must have a Designated Prescribing Practitioner, the DPP, (also called a practice educator) to support their learning, this is an HCPC requirement. Information about the role is available in the document below. It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure this support, you should only apply once you have agreement to support you from the nominated DPP.

• Information on the role of the DPP

3. You should confirm you are able to attend all the study days using the enrolment timetable in the upcoming cohort enrolment information. If you are unable to attend all of the study days, your success in gaining a place on the course may be affected — please consider applying for the next cohort.

4. Complete a statement of purpose.

5. Prepare the following documents, as you will need to provide all of these documents during the application process:

• DPP Declaration
• Employer Organisation Declaration
• Applicant checklist
• If you are being part sponsored: Proof of funding (some NHS organisations require a Purchase Order number for the payment of invoices. This must be stated on this letter to ensure invoices are paid promptly).

Financial support for your studies

Applicants can be fully or partly sponsored by their employer to undertake the programme. There is information on how to provide proof of sponsorship in the 'Entry requirements' section above.

For all other potential HEE sponsorship/commissioned options, you should contact your local HEE Branch Educational Commission Manager.

Our programmes are focused on developing your professional competence and confidence. Network with other healthcare professionals from a range of employers and sectors to help identify future career options. The academic credits from this programme can also be used towards our MSc in Advancing Healthcare Practice qualification.

We also offer a Certificate in Advanced History Taking and Clinical Assessment, a three month module which can be studied before or after the prescribing programme. Please contact cippet@reading.ac.uk for more information. 

We can also offer advice to help you meet your professional regulator revalidation requirements and/or leadership body credentialing processes and support you in building a personal learning plan to enhance your career prospects.