Programme Specification - Foundation Degree in Community Pharmacy Practice
1. Awarding Institution/Body:University of Greenwich, University of Kent / 2. Teaching Institution:
The Medway School of Pharmacy / 3. Accredited by:
Not required / 4. Final Award:
Fd Community Pharmacy Practice / 5. Programme Title/Department
Fd Community Pharmacy Practice/Medway School of Pharmacy / 6. UCAS Code: / 7. QAA Benchmarking Gp(s):
8. Educational Aims of the Programme: [Maximum 0f 150 words]
The aim of the Foundation Degree in Community Pharmacy Practice is to
Equip students to undertake careers in pharmacy and other related health care professions
The programme achieves this aim by
· Providing knowledge about scientific and problem solving principles
· Providing a broad knowledge of the pathophysiology and pharmacology of selected disease states
· Describing aspects of pharmaceutical and biochemistry suitable for pharmacy students
· Providing an introduction to physiology and pharmacology
· Introducing students to the ways in which medicines are designed, developed and manufactured
· Developing transferable skills to facilitate personal development, including progression to honours options, in particular the BSc. in Pharmaceutical Science.
9. The programme provides opportunities for learners to achieve the following outcomes: [where relevant, provide reference to subject benchmarking statements] / 10. The following teaching, learning and assessment methods are used to enable learners to achieve and demonstrate these outcomes:
A Knowledge and understanding of:
Physical chemistry
Fundamental biochemistry
Fundamental physiology
The historical context of Pharmacy
Basic dispensing skills
Communication skills
Introduction to pharmacy law and ethics
The basic principles of drug action
The therapeutic use of drugs in various diseases / disorders
Organic chemistry
Medicine design, development and manufacture / A Teaching and learning:
Lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical laboratory, pharmacy-practice training and student-centered intensive workshops are given that are appropriate to the outcomes specified in the seven taught course specifications. In addition field trips are integrated within the curriculum. These are undertaken to introduce a holistic approach to the practice of pharmacy, to enable the students to interact with other healthcare professionals, to understand the role of the pharmacist in these relationships and to be able to relate complex theory to the patients.
The work placement is a key element of the learning. Students will use work books in the placement and will formulate a reflective portfolio
A Assessment Methods:
The assessment methods associated with each course are given in the course specifications. Various combinations of coursework; practical laboratory sessions or pharmacy practice; dispensing examinations; case studies; oral and poster presentations and formal examinations assess each course. The nature of the assignments is appropriate to the subject areas and learning outcomes outlined in the individual course specifications.
B Intellectual skills:
- Recognising and using appropriate theories, concepts and principles from a range of scientific disciplines
- Integration of theory with practice
- Apply in practice settings the knowledge and understanding required to meet the needs of the patients and other healthcare professionals
- Data acquisition, collation and appraisal
Collecting and integrating evidence and applying them in a balanced way
Apply knowledge and understanding to address familiar and novel problems
- Recognise and analyse novel problems and planning of strategies for their solution
- Production of Pharmacy-specific documentation
The ability to contribute to the development of healthcare through reflective practice and innovation / B Teaching and learning
Intellectual skills are developed through intensive workshops, seminar work and coursework assignments. The use of reflective practice, audit and project work during the placement will also promote intellectual skills development
B Assessment Methods
A variety of assessment methods are used that include, formal examinations, open book examinations, essay coursework, numerical problem-solving coursework, oral presentations, poster presentations, reflective practitioner journal entries from visits and the development of a portfolio during the work placement
Student centered learning involving library based research and oral presentations will be encouraged.
C Subject Practical skills
- Safe handling of chemical/pharmaceutical materials (chemical/physical/hazardous properties)
- Conduct of standard pharmaceutical laboratory procedures
- Planning, conducting, evaluating and reporting the results of investigations, including the use of secondary data in this process
- Operation of standard pharmaceutical instrumentation
- Ability to critically evaluate and interpret purposively laboratory and clinical observations and measurements, in terms of their significance and underlying theory
- Ability to undertake risk assessment concerning pharmaceutical procedures and practices
- Using management techniques and information appropriately in the decision-making process
- Competence in dispensing
- Preparation and presentation of medicines, by manufacturing and extemporaneous dispensing
- Calculation of medicine dose and dosage requirements
- Interpretation of prescriptions and other orders for medicines
- The ability to advise patients and others on the safe and effective use of medicines / C Teaching and learning
Subject practical skills are developed in a coordinated and progressive manner throughout the programme. These skills are highlighted in the tutor-led, student centered intensive workshops and computer-based sessions. Pharmacy practice including training in pharmacy dispensing will be addressed in the Pharmacy Practice 1 Course reinforced in the work placement.
Reflective practitioner skills are developed throughout the course in both work-based and class-based scenarios. Group video analysis of simulated patient/pharmacist interactions will be made and documented within the student’s practice portfolio and reflection upon communication skills in practice will also be included in the portfolio. Teacher practitioners. The work placement supervisor and other healthcare professionals will advise these teaching and learning activities.
C Assessment Methods:
A variety of assessment methods are used to assess subject practical skills. These include reflection upon practice within the placement, reflection upon communication skills in practice. The reflective portfolio is a vital component in the assessment of the skills required. A formal dispensing examination is compulsory.
D Transferable/ key skills:
- Effective written and verbal communication
- Interpersonal skills: The ability to interact with patients, public and healthcare professionals
- Appreciating issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty, in the collection and analysis of data
- The ability to understand the dangers of decision-making based on incomplete information
- Risk assessment in the laboratory and processing environments
- Use of appropriate numerical and statistical problem-solving skills
- Competent in the use of IT (word processing, spreadsheet, database use, archiving information and information retrieval)
- Information retrieval: primary secondary information sources, including on-line
- Internet communication
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- The ability to plan projects and use appropriate time management skills
- Positive attitude and constructive approach to group discussions
- Listening to and appreciating the views of others
- Reflective practice
- Acquisition, transformation, interpretation and critical evaluation of data
- Time management and organisation
- Understanding the power and utility of SWOT analysis
- Appreciating the need for professional codes of practice and conduct
- Recognising the moral and ethical issues related to the subject
- Working with an ethical attitude and approach
- Taking responsibility for one’s actions
- Taking a responsible attitude to academic and personal career development
- The ability to keep up-to-date
- Understand the need for CPD
- Ability to operate within a quality management framework / D Teaching and learning
Computer, data-base management, problem-solving, teamwork, presentation skills, communication skills and reflective practice are developed in a contextualized manner throughout the programme. These skills are enhanced in seminars, workshops, coursework assignments, group video simulated patient/pharmacist interactions and during the placement. Student-centered computer and information retrieval exercises are incorporated at all levels of the programme.
Key to the generation of a successful pharmacist, fit for the 21st century, will be development of reflective practice. Reflective practice will be encouraged and developed from day one to ensure that graduates can relate all aspects studied to the practice of their profession. The placement requires a reflective portfolio. This will enable the student to develop and refine their individual approach to future CPD programmes.
D Assessment Methods:
A variety of assessment methods are used to assess transferable key skills. These include problem solving assignments and peer-reviewed, team-based oral presentations, pharmacy practice simulations and reflection upon communication in practice. The development of a reflective portfolio is a vital aspect of the assessment of this programme. These individual assessments are contextualised in A, B and C above.
11 Programme Structure, Levels, Modules and Credits
The Fd Community Pharmacy Practice is only offered in the full-time mode. In line with the Foundation Degree Framework there is provision for the student who has achieved the award of Fd Community Pharmacy Practice to achieve full honours within 1.3 years in BSc Pharmaceutical Science. / 12 Awards, Credits and Progression of Learning Outcomes (shown in Field 9)Stage 2 /
Compulsory
Learning Through Reflection on Practice 2 (60credits) Level 2Essential Pharmacology for Pharmacy (15 credits) Level 2
Biochemistry for Pharmacy (15 credits) Level 2
Medicines: Design and Manufacturer (30 credits) Level 1
Optional /
FdHSc
240 creditsStage 1 /
Compulsory
Learning Through Reflection on Practice 1 (45credits) Level 1Essential Chemistry for Pharmacy (30 credits) Level 1
Essential Physiology for Pharmacy (15 credits) Level 1
Pharmacy Practice 1 (30credits) Level 1
Optional
/ CertProfDevStudents completing courses of less than 30 credits will be eligible for a Certificate of Credit. Completion of courses from 30-60 credits mean students are eligible for Certificate of Professional Development.
Students completing 120 credits will achieve a Cert HE