Join a non-medical prescribing course you can study flexibly, part-time.
This blended course combines on-campus, online, and work-based learning.
In this non-medical prescribing course, you’ll:
- gain the advanced clinical skills required to be a safe and competent independent or supplementary prescriber
- earn your V300 qualification studying with experienced clinicians
- learn to prescribe within the legislation relevant to your profession
- develop a comprehensive understanding of prescribing governance and the professional aspects of prescribing practice.
Learning areas for this course include:
- pharmacology
- communication skills
- medications and medication error prevention
- clinical assessment for prescribing
- clinical skills for prescribing.
You can also use the credits you earn in this course towards our MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice.
Who can join this non-medical prescribing course?
This course is for registered nurses, physiotherapists, paramedics and allied health professionals who:
- are domiciled in Scotland, and
- require Independent Prescribing for their role.
Before starting this course, you need to be competent in obtaining a patient history and completing a clinical assessment of a patient. You’ll evolve these skills throughout the course, learning to assess a patient competently, and prescribe appropriately.
Regulator-approved course
This course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Upon successful completion, you’ll be able to register as a V300 Independent/Supplementary Prescriber with the NMC if you’re a nurse, or with the HCPC if you’re an allied health professional.
What you’ll study
You’ll study two main topics:
- Applied pharmacology and clinical skills in prescribing.
- Prescribing in practice.
Within these, you’ll cover:
- communication skills applied to prescribing
- consultation models for prescribing
- pharmacokinetics
- clinical pharmacology and related clinical sciences
- pharmacology resources
- medicines management planning, including safety, actions and adverse reactions
- governance, and legal and ethical principles related to prescribing
- medicine safety and reconciliation
- evidence-based prescribing practice.
You’ll learn to reflect critically on your own and others’ prescribing practice to understand the causes of prescribing error.
You’ll also analyse the influences on prescribing practice, including the diverse and complex sources of information, advice and decision support. You’ll then learn to apply this knowledge in an evidence-based approach to prescribing practice.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to…
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Select an appropriate model of consultation when taking a history and performing an examination so that a complete assessment can be performed to inform your prescribing decisions.
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Evaluate the effectiveness of drug actions and apply this knowledge to safe prescribing practice.
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Demonstrate an understanding of clinical pharmacology and related clinical sciences and apply this knowledge to the assessment and management of patients.
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Appraise sources of information and advice to support prescribing practice to allow synthesis of a comprehensive medicines management plan for your patients.
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Select strategies which will build and maintain concordant partnerships with patients to enhance adherence with medicines management plans.
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Describe the legal, ethical and professional issues and frameworks which govern practice as an independent/supplemental prescriber.
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Work proactively with other members of the team involved in prescribing, supplying and administering medicines in order to maintain prescribing safety and cost effectiveness.
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Communicate an extensive knowledge of drug actions, interactions and adverse reactions. Critically apply this knowledge to the development of individual clinical/medicines management plans.
How you’ll study
Blended learning
Our Non-Medical Prescribing (V300) course is delivered part-time via blended learning. It blends on-campus and work-based learning with online learning.
On-campus learning
You’ll join us at our Foresterhill Health Campus in Aberdeen for face-to-face teaching. This includes:
- lectures from clinical experts in prescribing and pharmacology
- workshops on communication skills
- simulation learning, including learning with Patient Partners.
Find out about our Foresterhill Health Campus.
Workplace learning
You’ll spend time in practice working with your Practice Assessor/Educator and Practice Supervisors. Through on-the-job experiential learning, you’ll gain first-hand knowledge, skills and experience in prescribing practice.
Online learning
The online part of your course is delivered through MyAberdeen, our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your online learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including:
- videos and video lectures to live stream or download
- quizzes
- reading materials
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library
- discussion boards with colleagues and tutors.
Your tutors
This course is taught at Masters level by Dr Jonathan Whitfield and other experienced clinicians from both the University and in clinical practice within NHS Grampian.
You’ll also be supported in your learning, development and assessment in practice by a Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor if you’re registered with the NMC, and by a Practice Educator if you’re registered with the HCPC.
You’ll be assessed as stipulated by regulatory requirements using a range of assessment methods:
- Numeracy exam (100% pass required)
- Pharmacology exam (80% pass required)
- Four written assignments
- Work-based assessments
- Personal formulary
You’ll also submit a portfolio of:
- work-based assessments
- competencies, using the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Prescribing Competency Framework
- a clinical log detailing your practice learning hours.
This course takes place over two terms, either side of the Christmas break.
The course totals approximately 300 hours of study and assessment time over 26 weeks.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes.
You’ll spend five days on your first course, and 2.5 days on your second course, being taught by University staff. You’ll spend the remaining course hours in self-directed study or training in clinical practice.
Clinical practice learning hours
Nationally there is an agreement that you will get 90 hours’ equivalent of clinical practice learning hours across the course. These hours are flexible and you’ll organise them with your Practice Assessor/Supervisor depending on your learning needs.
You’ll keep a clinical log to account for these hours. This will demonstrate that you have achieved the required learning for the award across a breadth of clinical practice.
Your teaching team
Dr Jonathan Whitfield – Course coordinator
Jonathan is a Medical Consultant for NHS Grampian and an Honorary Senior Lecturer. His background is as a Physician specialising in Acute care. With a developed interest in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (CPT), Jonathan is the curriculum lead for this topic on our MBChB. He developed this short course in order to provide high-quality CPT education for non-medical prescribers.
Célia Meneses – Pharmacist, Academic Assessor
Célia qualified as a pharmacist in 2003 from the University of Porto, followed by a PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Aberdeen. She joined NHS Grampian in 2009 and currently works as a Clinical Pharmacist in Geriatrics and a Medical Education Pharmacist in our Medical School. Célia is an Independent Prescriber and Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Where this will take you
Register as an Independent Prescriber
When you successfully complete this course, you’ll receive the Independent/Supplementary Prescribing V300 qualification you need for your role.
You’ll then be able to register as an Independent Prescriber with the appropriate regulator for you.
Towards a Masters
You’ll earn 30 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) with this course. You can use these credits towards our:
Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice
Develop your advancing career in healthcare with this uniquely flexible MSc, delivered part-time via blended learning. 10% discount for NHS staff.
View MSc Advanced Clinical Practice
The safe and supportive learning environment enables you to learn and ask questions with no judgement, and practise skills safely before applying to practice. The teaching staff are 100% invested in helping you achieve your goals and can help accommodate for any bump in the road.
Stacie Buchan, Nurse Practitioner, course completed 2019/20
Build your learning with more short courses
We have a range of online healthcare and medicine short courses you can use to earn in-demand skills.
Many carry credits you can build up into postgraduate qualifications, including Masters degrees:
Careers
The V300 qualification is required for advanced and specialised roles within clinical practice. Gaining this qualification will help you upskill and progress in your career in healthcare.
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.
Free career support
Access our free careers service while you study.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Entry requirements
For this course, you’ll apply through our Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents. Our admissions team will then review these and contact you.
To get started, read How to apply through our Applicant Portal.
Apply as early as you can. This is so we have time to review your application and get a decision to you. We also want to ensure you have time to enrol before teaching starts.
September 2024 intake
For our September 2024 intake, the application deadline is 8 September 2024.
You will need to accept your offer and provide any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer by 15 September 2024.
Teaching starts on 23 September 2024.
To view your online course materials, you’ll need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one from some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
To apply for this course, you need to:
- require Independent Prescribing for your role
- be domiciled in Scotland
- have an undergraduate degree or relevant learning and experience that supports this level of postgraduate study
- be a Registered Healthcare Professional with the NMC or HCPC in an advanced clinical practice role
- have Occupational Health clearance to work in the NHS or a healthcare environment, and be taking part in appraisal and revalidations.
Also, required by the Regulator:
- have undertaken education in patient history taking and clinical examination or equivalent
- have competency in numeracy
- for the NMC, have a Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor
- for the HCPC, have a Practice Educator
- be able to undertake 90 hours of prescribing related to practice learning
- have the support of your line manager.
Apply for this course
