Nic Bunce / The Pharmaceutical Journal
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has launched a consultant pharmacist credentialing programme.
Open to pharmacists working in patient-focused roles in England and Wales, the programme aims to help pharmacists demonstrate that they are capable of working at consultant pharmacist level.
The programme includes a curriculum that sets out the knowledge, skills, behaviours and performance levels expected of a consultant pharmacist. Applicants will be expected to compile an e-portfolio to demonstrate that they have met the curriculum outcomes, with support from a coach and expert mentors. The process also includes a series of assessments showing that the applicant has met the curriculum’s requirements.
Once all of the evidence has been complied, prospective consultant pharmacists can submit the portfolio for assessment by an expert committee. The committee will then decide if the candidate is eligible to work in an accredited consultant pharmacist role.
In January 2020, the RPS took over responsibility for approving the creation of accredited consultant pharmacist posts. Now, anyone who successfully meets the criteria of the consultant pharmacist credentialing programme will be credentialed as ‘consultant-ready’, and will be eligible to take up one of the approved consultant pharmacist posts.
Gail Fleming, director for education and professional development at the RPS, said the Society wants to see “a greater number of consultant pharmacists in post providing clinical expertise and leadership across local health economies. They have an important role in the delivery of ever more complex care to patients and in supporting their colleagues”.
Fleming added that credentialing individuals as consultant-ready is “the logical next step in building clinical excellence and leadership in the workforce”.
You may also be interested in
Long service of members
Membership fees 2022
