1. Why did we review Faculty?
The purpose of Faculty needs clarifying, and the process for submission and the assessment could be more streamlined and clearer. Those are the views of existing Faculty members and members of the consultant pharmacist network, consulted about an Annual Support and Submission model for Faculty.
2. How will the legacy of the existing Faculty service be managed?
We’ll recommend how to transition from the current Faculty to the new service and how we can map people across.
3. How will revalidation be linked to the new Faculty service?
We anticipate CPD entries written in your RPS portfolio and mapped to the Advanced Pharmacy Framework (APF) can still be submitted for revalidation. At the moment you need to copy entries from your RPS portfolio into your MyGPhC account, but in future these will be linked and entries will transfer automatically.
4. Are you discussing with the GPhC whether Faculty members will be exempt from revalidation requirements?
This is not something the GPhC are considering at the moment. You still have to complete all your revalidation records even if you have completed Faculty.
5. Are you keeping post-nominals?
This is being considered, but they must be understandable and meaningful to all. One possibility is a change to advanced practitioner, which is more explicit. Or we could continue to use the existing post-nominals with advanced practitioner or consultant in brackets.
6. Will the new Faculty service be open to non-pharmacists?
Faculty is only open to pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, and we expect this to continue. However, we would like to streamline the service and give a more targeted approach to some sectors while remaining flexible. Individuals working in the healthcare sector may need a different model to those working in non-patient facing roles but one which still recognises advanced practice.
7. The Current Faculty and Advanced Pharmacy Framework (APF) requires specialist practice across many areas, however advancing tends to mean specialising in a small number of areas; how will this be handled?
A reviewed assessment will be part of the new credentialing service. The APF has not been part of our review as it is well used, recognising core levels of advanced practice and then recognising the individual’s specialist practice area is being considered. These will be advanced practitioners who also have specialist expertise.
8. How could you engage employers to use Faculty as part of recruitment?
Having spoken with employers across hospital, community and primary care practice areas they have asked for a credentialing service to demonstrate individuals’ capabilities and provide assurance. However, the challenge is in areas where it is difficult to recruit staff. Asking for Faculty as an essential criteria in job descriptions might restrict an employer’s ability to recruit staff. We need to balance the employers finding the right staff and potential employees being able to demonstrate their skills and provide assurance. The new model should address both issues.
Employers struggling to retain staff could be helped to retain them through a credentialing programme within their service.
9. How often will a Faculty resubmission be required? And will it require a whole new portfolio?
We have to be practical about resubmission and will not require a whole new portfolio. One option is to use revalidation records: if these reflect your level of practice, they could become a self declaration of maintaining advanced level practice. The other option is an annual appraisal or personal development review process (where these exist) with an employer or nominated responsible person signing-off an advanced level of practice. This needs to be practical but also maintain standards.
10. My Faculty resubmission is overdue; what do I need to do to resubmit?
We are currently reviewing Faculty, so your post-nominals are safe. You can still submit evidence to achieve recognition of a higher level of advanced practice using the current model.
11. Will the new Faculty model recognise practice at a European/International level? Will I get bonus points for working at this level?
We need to consider the impact the work being done at a European/International level is having on the individuals practice. There are no plans for bonus points – the assessment process will be consistent and fair across sectors and geographies.
12. When will the first round of credentialing to happen?
Approval will be sought from the RPS Assembly in November 2019 and we would aim to implement during 2020.
The Faculty Review Task and Finish group needs to be completed by September. The recommendations paper will be written and revised in September. The new service’s specification will also need be drafted. Transition periods will need to be taken into account as we move from Faculty to a new service. This may need to be approached on a case by case basis
13. How will you recognise specialist practice?
A model of credentialing core advanced practice is being considered. We would then work with other royal colleges and specialist groups to recognise and credential specialist advanced practice.
14. Will there still be an annual fee to pay?
This will be reviewed as part of the specification for the new service and be considered by RPS assembly. We will let you know as soon as we can.
15. What will happen to any portfolios on the RPS website now?
Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to access previous portfolios on the RPS website.