The first cohort of seven pharmacists have completed the advanced pharmacist e-portfolio pathway jointly delivered by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), NHS England (NHSE) Workforce, Training and Education Centre for Advancing Practice and the Centre for Pharmacy Post Graduate Education (CPPE).
They are now eligible for the NHSE Centre of Advancing Practice’s ‘Advanced’ digital badge, and those that are members of the RPS may now use the membership affix MRPharmS (Advanced).
The pathway is for pharmacists working at an advanced level who can demonstrate the quality assurance of their advanced practice preparation to patients, families, carers, and other healthcare professionals.
It was created to help set out a clear postgraduate career structure for pharmacists in England, and to help demonstrate the leadership and management, education, and research capabilities of advanced practitioners who could lead service change and improve outcomes for groups of patients.
Joseph Oakley, associate director of assessment and credentialing at RPS said that the society was ‘immensely proud’ of the pharmacists being the first to achieve the RPS Core Advanced credential, as well the corresponding recognition from the Centre for Advancing Practice.
He added: ‘These pharmacists have demonstrated their advanced capability across the four pillars of practice and evidenced the key role they play in the delivery of high-quality care to more complex patients.
‘Their achievement not only showcases their own significant impact on patients and their organisations but also emphasises the evolving role of advanced pharmacists as integral members of the healthcare team, supporting the management of more complex patients across all healthcare settings.
‘We are excited to continue working with the Centre of Advancing Practice and CPPE to support future cohorts of pharmacists through this pathway in England.’
The RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum is focused on ‘delivering holistic care autonomously to people with complex needs’, and the seven successful pharmacists have demonstrated advanced capabilities across:
- Person-centred care and collaboration
- Professional practice
- Leadership and management
- Education
- Research
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