The RPS and the UK Clinical Pharmacy Association (UKCPA) are proud to announce a significant milestone in the field of pharmacy education and credentialing. Over the past two years, the RPS and UKCPA have worked together to establish an advanced specialist curriculum and credentialing framework for clinical specialities falling under the UKCPA umbrella.
This framework aims to complement the RPS Core Advanced curriculum, offering a clearly defined post-registration career pathway for pharmacists specialising in critical areas of patient care. By developing a rigorous credentialing process, this initiative ensures not only professional growth for pharmacists but also provides a robust assurance mechanism for employers and most importantly, patients.
Today, we are delighted to officially sign the joint venture agreement that will serve as the collaborative platform for developing these curricula and delivering credentialing assessments. This partnership signifies a momentous step forward in advancing pharmacy education and aligns educational standards with evolving healthcare needs.
The RPS and UKCPA are in the final stages of creating our first joint advanced specialist curriculum and credentialing process in critical care. Consultation for the programme will begin in January 2024 and will invite valuable insights from industry experts and stakeholders.
Our collaboration will continue to focus on identifying and developing specialist curricula tailored to patient and service requirements.
Paul Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of the RPS, said:
“We are excited about the future possibilities that this collaboration unlocks for the pharmacy profession. By merging our expertise and resources with the UKCPA, we are creating a transformative educational framework that will not only empower pharmacists but also redefine the standards of care in specialised fields. This signifies our dedication to enhancing the skills and knowledge of pharmacists, ensuring they are well-equipped to provide high-quality care to patients in critical areas of healthcare.”
Sarah Carter, Chief Executive Officer of UKCPA, said:
“A formal recognition of post-registration expertise is absent from pharmacy practice. Credentialing assessments and the underpinning professional curricula fill this gap. This initiative is the culmination of many years of dedicated thought, time and expertise from members of UKCPA, and we hope that the collaboration with the RPS will ensure that this significant development will be adopted profession-wide.”
More on the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum.
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