Becoming a locum independent prescriber/ clinical pharmacist
Let’s discuss how to become an independent pharmacist prescriber.
In order to qualify as an independent prescriber, you must complete a GPhC-accredited course. Once you have successfully completed the course, you will receive a practice certificate in independent prescribing, from there you will be apply to start applying for shifts through team locum to work as an independent prescribers.
An accredited course in independent prescribing runs for 6 months. The course is part-time and often delivered through a combination of face-to-face teaching sessions and self-directed study though some universities will provide courses with distance learning, though all courses will involve a minimum of 26 days of in person learning.
In addition to this, each pharmacist must successfully complete at least 90 hours of learning in a practice environment under supervision, all details of this will be listed when applying for and while studying for the course
New standards
In 2019 new standards were published regarding the training of pharmacist independent prescribers and the role of clinical pharmacist in general practice. Since then all providers have met this accreditation and a full list of providers is listed a long with a list of the standards that were put in place for independent prescribers.
See the new standards for the education and training of pharmacist independent prescribers here
Regulations to allow pharmacists to prescribe independently came into effect in 2006. As a pharmacist independent prescriber you can prescribe autonomously for any condition within their clinical competence.
So why become an Independent pharmacist prescriber or clinical pharmacist?
GPs across the UK are currently looking for clinical pharmacist in general practice and from the talks we are having with the practices they need people and they need people now! After a course to get registered you will have a world of work previously unavailable to you.
You will be working in a field with limitless work, for as many pharmacies out there, there are an equal amount of GP practices. we are currently marketing to as many practices as we can to provide locums with the widest range of work to choose from!
Not to mention the skills you gain from training as an independent prescriber are indispensable within the NHS and the healthcare industry in general, these are skills that are always going to be needed and will stay with you for the rest of your career and as a pharmacist, to most, it feels the next logical step.
As experts in the field of medicines, you will be a valuable facet to any GP practice and the patients who are in need of this additional support and who’s lives would be greatly benefits should this extra support be given.
So in short, helping patients, progressing your career and opening doorways to further progress are just a few of the reasons to become an independent prescriber.
Register your interest in locuming as an independent prescriber
