The first pilot cohort of pharmacists have completed the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) advanced e-portfolio pathway, which was launched in March 2023 to recognise and quality assure advanced pharmacist practice in England.
The seven pharmacists are now eligible for the NHS England (NHSE) Centre of Advancing Practice’s ‘Advanced’ digital badge, and those who are members of the RPS may now use the membership affix MRPharmS (Advanced).
Jointly delivered by the RPS, NHSE Workforce, Training and Education’s Centre for Advancing Practice and the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE), the RPS Core Advanced pathway helps to set out a clear postgraduate career structure and professional development pathway for pharmacists in England.
Its curriculum is focused on ‘delivering holistic care autonomously to people with complex needs’ and is made up of five broad domains aligned closely to the four pillars of clinical practice, leadership, research and education.
These domains demonstrate the person-centred care and collaboration, professional practice, leadership and management, education and research capabilities of advanced pharmacist 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 submission deadline for the first open round of RPS advanced credentialing, open to pharmacists across the UK, closes on 8 October 2023.
A version of this story was originally published by our sister publication The Pharmacist.
