This module builds on the 12-month MSc Clinical Pharmacy International Practice and Policy (MSc CPIPP) and allows students to demonstrate advanced knowledge and systematic understanding of medicines optimisation and the delivery of pharmaceutical care in a hospital setting. This will be achieved by students undertaking 6 months of clinical practice and research or project work under supervision in local NHS hospitals.

The extended time at placement further supports experiential learning gained from completing module 3 (Clinical Practice at Placement Site – PHAY0026) and module 5 (Research Skills – PHAY0053) of the MSc CPIPP. The clinical practice placements are with teaching hospitals in London. You will spend time at the hospital placement throughout the 6-month period.

You must have obtained a PASS grade (NOT CONDONED PASS) in the experiential module of the 12-month programme (module 3 – PHAY0026) in order to proceed to the extended placement programme.

Induction week at the placement sites takes place in week 1. You will attend placement throughout the 6-month period but will have one day per week for study time / project work.

A placement supervisor will facilitate learning at the hospital site and demonstrate usual care patterns in the UK. Placement supervisors are senior clinical pharmacists with specialised roles in the designated area of care. They are responsible for co-ordinating placement activities, orientating students to site-specific policies and procedures and identifying project topics. You will be introduced to your placement supervisor during the induction week. You will work with other practitioners in the placement sites as advised by the placement supervisor. Assessment tools are based on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (Great Britain) Foundation Programme.

The module takes place over 6-months. It builds on the learning gained from the first 12-months. The overall aim of the extended time at placement is to develop effective clinical and leadership skills for safe pharmaceutical care and medicines optimisation issues for individual patients. During placement, a significant amount of self-directed learning is required.

You must sign a learning agreement during the placement induction. You are encouraged to adopt a reflective practice throughout, facilitated with a practice portfolio. Formative assessment by placement supervisors and workplace peers is a key element of this module and you are encouraged to apply this to future coursework and practice.

Note: You will not be able to intervene independently in a patient’s care, unless you are under the direct supervision of a registered UK pharmacist employed by the hospital.  The pharmacist must be present when you are making the intervention and must have agreed this beforehand with you.  You may take clinical queries, but your response must be confirmed with a pharmacist (as above) before relaying it to the enquirer.

You must not influence the clinical care of any patient without supervision. If you identify a clinical problem, you must immediately report the problem to the clinical pharmacist and/or the placement supervisor.

MODULE AIM AND OBJECTIVES:

Aim

To develop advanced knowledge and systematic understanding of medicines optimisation and the delivery of pharmaceutical care to patients.

Objectives

Identify and critically appraise the relevant evidence base pertaining to the pharmaceutical care of patients
 Identify expected relevant monitoring data that may be used as evidence to confirm effective plans
 Communicate effectively and professionally with other health care practitioners and patients (e.g., drug history taking and patient counselling).
 discuss how pharmacists contribute to improving patients’ clinical outcomes
 Describe any particular issues around drug administration where appropriate
 Develop potential pharmaceutical care plans and future management of named patients, including patient counselling and discharge plan
 Discuss issues around safe transitions of care, and how pharmacists contribute to this aspect of patient safety
Participate in discussions, medication reviews and respond to questions in a professional and clear manner/attitude
 Demonstrate clarity and accuracy in documenting information relating to patient management
 Undertake research and evaluation in the workplace e.g., as part of a team
 Demonstrate the application of clinical governance issues (e.g., continuous quality improvement of pharmacy services, clinical risk and patient safety)
 Describe the key drivers for national and local service development (e.g., what drives the creation of new services, how to ensure sustainable clinical services, quality improvement principles)
 Critically reflect on own practice and take personal responsibility for continuing professional development.