Collaborative supported e-portfolio programme to advanced pharmacist practice in England 

  • Developed in collaboration with the RPS, HEE Centre of Advancing Practice and CPPE.

  • Provides a supported professional development programme to advanced pharmacist practice for eligible pharmacists in England, funded by HEE’s Centre for Advancing Practice.

  • 300 funded places for pharmacists in 2023-2024.

  • Recognises the quality assurance of the advanced practice education, training, and experience of pharmacists practicing as advanced practitioners.  

Who is eligible for this supported programme?

To be eligible for this programme, pharmacists must meet HEE’s Centre of Advancing Practice criteria and the requirements to meet the RPS Core Advanced curriculum outcomes.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be a pharmacist practising in England delivering NHS services
  • Working in an advanced patient-focussed pharmacist role
  • Be working at, or close to, an advanced level of pharmacist practice (as defined in the RPS Core Advanced curriculum)[1]
  • Be an active prescriber[2]
  • Be currently leading, or managing other team members in the workplace
  • Be undertaking quality improvement and/or research activities to improve healthcare outcomes at a team and/or service level
  • Have agreement from your employer to support you with the programme by providing high-quality practice supervision, including supporting with work-based supervised learning events (SLEs).

[1] For those working in GP practice, this may include a completed Statement of Assessment and Progression from a CPPE’s national PCPEP training pathway or equivalent.

[2] Unless working in a patient-focussed population-level role, where the outcomes may be demonstrated without being an active prescriber

What is the programme based on?

The programme is based on the RPS Core Advanced curriculum which is fully aligned to the HEE Advanced Clinical Practice framework. Candidates will need to develop a portfolio of evidence against the RPS Core Advanced curriculum outcomes using the RPS Core Advanced e-portfolio.

What support will I receive on the programme to develop my portfolio?

Support through the programme will be provided by CPPE. If you are assigned a place on the programme, you will:

  • Be assigned a dedicated educational supervisor from CPPE who will support you remotely developing your portfolio
  • Have a 90-minute learning needs analysis discussion with your educational supervision with the development of an individual development plan to address any learning or experiential deficits.
  • Have two remote 1-2-1 meetings with your educational supervisor to discuss the quality of your evidence.
  • Receive peer-to-peer support to develop your e-portfolio evidence through remote group tutorials.

What will the final sign off assessment look like?

The programme covers a funded final sign off assessment. Your portfolio assessment will be assessed by an Advanced Pharmacist Competence Committee (APCC) as described in the programme of assessment section of the RPS Core Advanced curriculum. 

What do I get if I successfully complete the programme?

Those who successfully complete the programme and credentialing assessment through the RPS will receive the following dual award:

  • The RPS Core Advanced credential, recognising you as an advanced pharmacist. If you are an RPS member, this means you will be able to use the modified membership affix: MRPharmS(Advanced) or FRPharmS(Advanced).
  • HEE’s Centre for Advancing Practice’s ‘Advanced’ digital badge, demonstrating the quality assurance of their advanced practice preparation to patients, families, carers, and other healthcare professionals.

This will mean you will be recognised as having equivalence in terms of level of advanced practice as those who have completed the alternative HEE supported e-portfolio route or a HEE-accredited ACP course.

What are the similarities and differences between an Advanced Pharmacist (AP) and Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP)? 

This is explained in detail in section 2.3 of the RPS Core Advanced curriculum.

In summary, advanced pharmacists have advanced pharmaceutical clinical capabilities in addition to advanced non-clinical capabilities. The role of an advanced pharmacist could not be safely delivered by an individual from another professional group.

An Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) focuses on general clinical assessment skills for managing undifferentiated patient lists. The role is a generic role but draws on individuals’ professional expertise. The role could be safely undertaken by individuals drawn from a range of professional backgrounds.

Both advanced pharmacists and ACPs practise at an advanced level and deliver complex care autonomously. Both are also experienced practitioners across the four pillars of practice.

What is the CPPE and RPS advanced practice credentialing support programme?

Many pharmacists are wanting to be recognised as practicing at an advanced level of practice. RPS is offering added accreditation to pharmacists who meet their criteria of practicing at an advanced level of practice. CPPE will support these pharmacists to map their competence to the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum. Those who successfully complete the e-portfolio assessment will be credentialed by the RPS as working at an advanced level of practice. If you are an RPS member, this means you can affix MRPharmS (Advanced) after your name.

How do I sign up to be assigned to a cohort on the programme? 

To register on the programme, you need to register your interest through the CPPE website as well as through the HEE portal. You will then be contacted by an education supervisor to arrange a learning needs analysis meeting. After this meeting there will be a discussion around which cohort you will join. Once you have joined a cohort you will need to ensure you are available to attend the dates for both evening group tutorials.

What if I am not near or at the advanced level of practice and not eligible for the programme? 

If you do not currently meet the eligibility criteria for the programme but would like to commence your journey towards advanced practice credentialing, please refer to the RPS getting started guidance.