Programme of Assessment 

What is the programme of assessment and how will I be assessed?

The programme of assessment describes how you will be assessed against the curriculum outcomes and the tools available to demonstrate your achievement of these. 

  • You will be required to compile an electronic portfolio evidencing your learning against the curriculum outcomes in line with the programmatic assessment principles 
  • You will need to use a variety of supervised learning events (SLEs) and other instruments to demonstrate your learning
  • You will have access to a range of SLE templates but have total flexibility as to which tools and evidence you use and upload to demonstrate the curriculum outcomes in your individual context
  • You should refer to the outcome descriptors to help guide you on the level of performance expected
Supervised Learning Events (SLEs)

A range of assessment tools will be included within the RPS Core Advanced e-Portfolio that you, as well as your collaborators, supervisors and mentors, can use to record learning and demonstrate progress towards an achievement of the curriculum outcomes.

A summary of the SLE tools that will be available can be found below:

Direct observation SLEs

Indirect observation SLEs

Other tools

Other evidence in addition to supervised learning events can also be used to demonstrate achievement of the curriculum outcomes. You will be free to upload any evidence you feel demonstrates achievement of the curriculum outcomes.

Examples could include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Reflective accounts
  • Published journal articles or research
  • Conference abstract/poster
  • Copies of anonymised written feedback from patients and colleagues
  • Copies of anonymised documents evidencing active involvement in e.g. significant event analysis, risk management activities, service developments, formulary management
  • Videos or recordings of presentations and/or meetings
  • Development courses
  • Minutes of meetings
  • Anonymised documented responses to clinical enquiries about medicines
  • Personal development plans
Which assessment tools should I use?

The assessment blueprint shows the potential assessment tools you could use for each outcome; it is, however, at your discretion how you evidence each outcome. You do not need to use all the potential tools below for each outcome – these are provided simply as guidance, and the assessment tools used will depend on the nature of the learning and the educational context.

Why do the outcomes in the assessment blueprint have different stakes ratings?

Each outcome has been given a stakes rating of either High, Medium or Low based on their potential risk to patient safety. You will be expected to provide more evidence for higher stakes outcomes.  All the curriculum outcomes should be considered as equally important in terms of demonstrating advanced level practice and all outcomes must be achieved in the programme of assessment to be credentialed.

 

VIEW THE ASSESSMENT BLUEPRINT HERE

How will my portfolio be assessed?

Portfolios will be assessed by an Advanced Pharmacist Competency Committee (APCC) which will be chaired by an RPS representative. APCCs will consist of at least three panel members fulfilling the following roles: 

  • Two advanced pharmacists, at least one of whom will have expertise from the candidate’s stated sector of practice
  • A pharmacist with appropriate research expertise
  • A pharmacist with appropriate educational expertise.

The committee will also be chaired by one of the panel members who has been selected and trained as a chair by the RPS.

The committee will review your evidence against the curriculum outcomes. You will be awarded an outcome for each curriculum domain.

The potential domain outcomes are:

Standard met – you have provided satisfactory evidence to demonstrate achievement of all the outcomes in the domain.

Standard not met – you have not provided satisfactory evidence to demonstrate achievement of all the outcomes in the domain. Clear feedback will be provided as to which outcomes have not been met and why, and you will need to be reassessed in the domain(s) where the standard was not met. You will not be required to resubmit evidence for those domains where all the outcomes in that domain have been met. 

Insufficient evidence – While some of the evidence provided indicated that you may be practising at the expected level, the gaps in the evidence were such that the committee is unable to confidently conclude the domain has been achieved. You will be required to resubmit evidence for those domains. 

Once the standard for all five domains has been met, you will be credentialed.

Will I get to use a post-nominal if I get credentialed? 

RPS members and fellows only will be eligible to use our modified membership post-nominals: MRPharmS (Advanced) or FRPharmS (Advanced). 

When can I start building my portfolio?

You can start recording your evidence on the RPS core advanced e-Portfolio here.  

When can I submit my portfolio for assessment?

RPS advanced pharmacist competency committees will meet remotely four times a year to review portfolio submissions. There will be a submission window and a final portfolio submission date.

2024 submission dates (Open to all) 

 

Submission window opens

Final submission deadline

Anticipated outcome date

Application 1

4 February 2024

11 February 2024

26 March 2024

Application 2

5 May 2024

12 May 2024

25 June 2024

Application 3

4 August 2024

11 August 2024

24 September 2024

 2024 CPPE pathway submission dates 

 

Submission window opens

Final submission deadline

Anticipated outcome date

Application 1

7 January 2024

14 January 2024

27 February 2024

Application 2

4 February 2024

11 February 2024

26 March 2024

Application 3

7 April 2024

14 April 2024

28 May 2024

Application 4

5 May 2024

12 May 2024

25 June 2024

Application 5

4 August 2024

11 August 2024

24 September 2024

 

How much will the assessment cost?

Access to the RPS Core Advanced e-Portfolio is free to both members and non-members.

The fee for a portfolio submission to be reviewed is £375 for each attempt.

The fee for a portfolio submission to be reviewed for ASII Faculty members is £280 for each attempt. 

Payment will be taken via card. We accept all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard and American Express (AMEX).

Payment will only be taken once you have submitted your portfolio for assessment.

Is there a fee for resubmission and how much is it?

Any reassessment will incur an assessment fee dependent on the number of domains being reassessed. 

  • Up to three domains: Discounted reassessment fee (£225)
  • Four or more domains: Full reassessment fee (£375)

Are there any recurring maintenance fees after I have been credentialed?

No. Once individuals are credentialed, there are no recurring maintenance fees. Maintenance of competence will be through GPhC revalidation.