30 Sep 2025 (Available)
Apply by: 16 Sep 2025
New Session
Cohort A
30 Sep 2025 (Study day 1 (on campus, 1-6pm, room 1C100), 28 Oct 2025 (Study day 2 (on campus, 1-6pm, room 1C100)
01 Oct 2025 (Available)
Apply by: 17 Sep 2025
New Session
Cohort B
01 Oct 2025 (Study day 1 (on campus, 1-6pm, room 1C100), 29 Oct 2025 (Study day 2 (on campus, 1-6pm, room 1C100)
Course overview
Course Description:
This module covers fundamental patient examination including those commonly observed within the community, primary care and acute care settings at the appropriate level of expertise and practice; clinical investigations and tests commonly associated with diagnostics, patient monitoring; application of best practice guidance in medicines optimisation including the ability to identify, resolve and prevent actual and potential medicines related problems. Learning from this module will enable students, demonstrate the ability to effectively build patient and carer relationships by taking a patient-centred approach to consultation. Students are expected to engage in experiential learning within their workplace.
The learning outcomes of this module will be achieved by a variety of methods including:
Experiential learning in the workplace facilitated by a work based or academic tutor. Independent learning, independent analysis and identification of learning needs related to continuing professional development. Independent review of materials available for eLearning, structured reading Group work such as problem-based learning, seminars and group discussion on study days.
The programme(s) this module can be linked to/contribute towards:
LMPPPGD - PgDip Pharmacy Practice (Top-up to MSc)
Assessment Details:
Portfolio of Practice submission.
Panel discussion based on portfolio content.
All individual elements of assessment must be passed.
Students must achieve the minimum pass criteria for portfolio content in order to undertake the panel interview.
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge and Understanding
Successful students will typically:
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of signs and symptoms of conditions relevant to their area of practice and the requisite physical examinations and clinical investigations to formulate an action plan in partnership with the multidisciplinary team and patient.
- Demonstrate a systematic ability to critically evaluate a range of patient-centred consultation frameworks, effective consultation skills and behaviours relevant to build and maintain effective relationships with patients and carers.
- Demonstrate a deep knowledge on advanced medicines optimisation principles and interventions and evaluate factors influencing medicines optimisation support within the integrated care system.
Intellectual, Practical and Transferable Skills
Successful students will typically:
- Autonomously demonstrate a range of patient facing clinical skills including history taking, physical patient examinations, interpreting investigation outcomes, providing advice and interventions fitting with level of expertise and making referrals as appropriate.
- Identify, evaluate and maintain capabilities and qualities to effectively consult with various patient groups, accurately record findings from physical examinations and history taking to ensure other healthcare staff are appropriately informed.
- Work effectively with multiple teams to undertake a comprehensive and accurate medicines reconciliation, provide medicines optimisation support to patients, carers and other health care staff within and across care settings.
Funding
£915.00
The price quoted above is per 15 credits in this academic year. This price relates to self-funding students assessed as UK students for fee purposes. Click here for Fees and Funding information, you can find further details along with, costs and when your fees need to be paid.
Why choose HERTS?
Excellent sector connections: we have extensive links with eight NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in Hertfordshire.
Links with over 98 NHS Trusts and Local Authorities in East Anglia and London regions.
Flexibility: we provide flexible study options to ensure you can fit CPD study around your busy professional and personal lives.
Location: the main University of Hertfordshire campus is 25 minutes from London with easy access by both road and rail services.

Course details
Course leader
Dr Nikkie Umaru <n.e.umaru@herts.ac.uk>
Administrator
Vanessa Bysouth
Telephone
01707 284800
Course delivery
Learner Hours: Scheduled – 30 hours including tutorials, simulation, directed learning, problem based learning and assessments. Independent - 120 hours including work-related learning, individual work based learning.
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Prerequisites
Pre-Requisites required to undertake the course:
- A first degree, in pharmacy and registration as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
- Candidates must be working (employed or self-employed) within an organisation providing pharmacy services and the responsibilities the candidate undertakes requires direct contact with patients.
- Candidates undertaking the Pharmacist Independent Prescribing module must have confirmation of an appropriate designated prescribing practitioner willing to support and assess the practitioner in practice.
- Candidates must have access to their patients’ health related data such as outcomes of clinical examinations, observations or laboratory test results where applicable.
- Normally the candidate should be employed (including self-employed) in their practice role for at least 15 hours per week.
- Normally the candidate will have a work-based tutor in their workplace. In exceptional circumstances, the university will allocate an academic tutor, for example, for locum pharmacists.

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