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A pilot cohort of seven pharmacists has been credentialed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), after completing a pathway to formally recognise advanced practice.
The pathway, launched by the RPS, Health Education England (HEE) and the Centre for Postgraduate Pharmacy Education (CPPE) in March 2023, aims to provide a post-registration career structure to ensure pharmacists can take on more advanced roles in patient care.
As part of the programme, the inaugural cohort of pharmacists received funding to build an ‘RPS Core Advanced e-Portfolio’ to demonstrate evidence that they meet advanced capabilities across five domains included in the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist curriculum.
Out of 11 participants in the pilot cohort, 7 pharmacists successfully demonstrated advanced capabilities across the domains of person-centred care and collaboration; professional practice; leadership and management; education; and research.
The successful pharmacists are eligible to receive a digital badge from HEE’s Centre for Advancing Practice and RPS members can use the modified membership affix MRPharmS (Advanced).
A further cohort of pharmacists is due to be credentialed later in October 2023, as part of 300 funded places on the pathway.
Joseph Oakley, associate director of assessment and credentialing at the RPS, said the pharmacists had “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,” he said.
Places for the next round of RPS advanced credentialing are available to pharmacists who are near to practising at, or already practising at, an advanced level. The submission deadline closes on 8 October 2023.
Oakley added: “We are excited to continue working with the Centre for Advancing Practice and CPPE to support future cohorts of pharmacists through this pathway in England.”
