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PGCert INDEPENDENT AND SUPPLEMENTARY PRESCRIBING FOR ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

  • Year of entry
    2021
  • Course duration
    6 months
  • Year of entry
    2021
  • Course duration
    6 months
View all

COVID-19 update


Find out about how we'll be delivering our courses in 2020.

CIPPET offers part-time postgraduate programmes to prepare allied health professionals to practise as either independent or supplementary prescribers and to meet the standards set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

The programme comprises teaching and learning, which include taught days, self-directed study time, assessment and workplace-based learning (the 78 hours of learning in practice).

Details of our accreditation can be found at HCPC accreditation. 

Students studying the programme will be assessed at level 7, leading to a Postgraduate Certificate (60 academic credits).

Applicants can choose between studying one day a week (Thursdays) or on our intensive weekend programme for those who want a more flexible study arrangement.

Upcoming cohort enrolment options: 

January 2021

Start date: 16 January 2021

Study our intensive programme at weekends over six to ten months.

Application information

Applications to the January 2021 programme are expected to open Monday 5 October 2020. If you have any questions, please email cippet@reading.ac.uk

Dates for interviews: 8-9 December

Enrolment timetable:

  • Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 January 2021
  • Saturday 30 January 2021
  • Saturday 27 February 2021
  • Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 March 2021
  • Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 May 2021
  • Saturday 26 June 2021
  • Saturday 3 July 2021

Deadline for applications: Thursday 3 December 2020

The required documents to be submitted with your application are found in the 'Entry requirements' tab, along with information on how to apply online. If you are interested in applying after the deadline, please contact cippet@reading.ac.uk as sometimes we can operate a waiting list in case other applicants withdraw at the last minute. 

May 2021

Start date: 6 May 2021

Study for one day a week (Thursdays) over six to ten months
 
Application information

Applications to the May 2021 programme are expected to open Monday 18th January 2021. If you have any questions, please email cippet@reading.ac.uk.

Dates for interviews: appointments for interviews via MS Teams will be offered

Enrolment timetable: to be made available after 18 January 2021

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 24 March

The required documents to be submitted with your application are found in the 'Entry requirements'tab, along with information about how to apply online.

If you are interested in applying after the deadline, please contact cippet@reading.ac.uk - sometimes we can operate a waiting list in case applicants withdraw at the last minute.

Overview

The programme comprises teaching and learning, which include taught days, self-directed study time, assessment and workplace-based learning (the 78 hours of learning in practice).

Details of our accreditation can be found at HCPC accreditation. 

Students studying the programme will be assessed at level 7, leading to a Postgraduate Certificate (60 academic credits).

Applicants can choose between studying one day a week (Thursdays) or on our intensive weekend programme for those who want a more flexible study arrangement.

Upcoming cohort enrolment options: 

January 2021

Start date: 16 January 2021

Study our intensive programme at weekends over six to ten months.

Application information

Applications to the January 2021 programme are expected to open Monday 5 October 2020. If you have any questions, please email cippet@reading.ac.uk

Dates for interviews: 8-9 December

Enrolment timetable:

  • Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 January 2021
  • Saturday 30 January 2021
  • Saturday 27 February 2021
  • Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 March 2021
  • Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 May 2021
  • Saturday 26 June 2021
  • Saturday 3 July 2021

Deadline for applications: Thursday 3 December 2020

The required documents to be submitted with your application are found in the 'Entry requirements' tab, along with information on how to apply online. If you are interested in applying after the deadline, please contact cippet@reading.ac.uk as sometimes we can operate a waiting list in case other applicants withdraw at the last minute. 

May 2021

Start date: 6 May 2021

Study for one day a week (Thursdays) over six to ten months
 
Application information

Applications to the May 2021 programme are expected to open Monday 18th January 2021. If you have any questions, please email cippet@reading.ac.uk.

Dates for interviews: appointments for interviews via MS Teams will be offered

Enrolment timetable: to be made available after 18 January 2021

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 24 March

The required documents to be submitted with your application are found in the 'Entry requirements'tab, along with information about how to apply online.

If you are interested in applying after the deadline, please contact cippet@reading.ac.uk - sometimes we can operate a waiting list in case applicants withdraw at the last minute.

Entry requirements

Application requirements

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 in this section. 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
  • Workplace-based learning declaration
  • Applicant checklist
  • If you are being part or fully 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).
  • If you are self-funding, or doing your learning in practice hours with an organisation who is not your employer, the Self-funding declaration.

How to apply:

To apply to the programme, you need to use the University's online portal.

6. Access the online application portal.

All communication from the application system is via automated email. Some National Health Service (NHS) email servers flag these email addresses as spam, therefore we recommend using a personal email address to ensure you receive all communications at this stage.

Once you have started an application, the system will email you to remind you to start, and/or complete, your application at regular intervals. If your account is flagged as dormant for three or more weeks, your application may be automatically removed.

7. Once you have created an account, select your programme choice from the drop-down menu:

  • PGCert Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Allied Health Professionals (part time)
  • PGCert Supplementary Prescribing for Allied Health Professionals (part time)

8. Complete all the required fields (marked with an asterix *) and upload all of the documents stated above (step 4 and 5).

Make sure you upload your statement of purpose to the 'statement of purpose' field in the application portal.

The application portal cannot accept multiple uploads. Therefore, you will need to scan the documents from step 5 into one document. If you are supplying a transcript, you can submit your combined documents to the 'other' field. If you are not supplying a transcript, you can submit your combined documents into the compulsory 'transcript' field instead of a transcript. Failure to submit all of the required documentation in a timely manner may affect our decision whether to accept you on the course.

9. References

Once you have submitted an application, an automatic email will be sent to your referees (if you have provided an email address for them). It is your responsibility to make sure that your referee supplies a reference. We would therefore advise that you contact them in advance of submitting an application so that they have time to prepare a reference. They can use this template to prepare their reference in advance. Please also note that emails from the application system may be sent to their 'spam' folder, which they should check if they have not received the email when expected.

If you have completed postgraduate study, you should provide details of one academic and one non-academic referee. If you have not completed postgraduate study, you can provide details of two non-academic referees. A suitable non-academic referee is typically a past or current employer, or a formal workplace-based supervisor such as a practice assessor or practice supervisor.

10. Attending an interview

As part of the application process, students may be asked to attend an interview.  This enables us to determine your suitability for the programme against the entry criteria and find out further information about your experience. Interviews will take place online using MS Teams.

11. The outcome of your application

Applications are reviewed throughout the year. However, the greater the number of applications we receive, the longer it may take to inform you of the outcome. Applicants cannot enroll until all the documentation is received and an unconditional offer is made, the usual deadline for this is two weeks before the start of the programme.  Therefore, at the latest, we will notify successful applicants two weeks before the start of the programme.

Due to the high volume of applications we are receiving at present, we are unable to provide individualised feedback if you are unsuccessful.

Structure

Independent prescribing

Preparing to Prescribe for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals (level 7).This module 1 of the programme enables allied health professionals to practise and develop as prescribers and to meet the standards set by the HCPC.

Independent and supplementary Prescribing for Allied Health Professionals

This module 2 of the programme enables allied health professionals to practise and develop as independent prescribers and to meet the standards set by the HCPC. It will enable allied health professionals to apply for annotation to the register to practise as independent and supplementary prescribers.

Please note that modules are subject to change.

Supplementary prescribing

Preparing to Prescribe for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals. This module 1 of the programme enables allied health professionals to practise and develop as prescribers and to meet the standards set by the HCPC.

Supplementary Prescribing for Allied Health Professionals

This module 2 of the programme enables allied health professionals to practise and develop as supplementary prescribers and to meet the standards set by the HCPC. It will enable allied health professionals to apply for annotation to the register to practise as supplementary prescribers.

Please note that modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £2,400 per year

New international students: £ per year

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated, and relate to courses starting in September 2021. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

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.

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

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.

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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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