Features

A new framework and accreditation process for membership of FPMM

The Faculty of Prescribing and Medicines Management (FPMM) was established in 2001 as a distinct semi-autonomous professional body within the College of Pharmacy Practice. It provides professional support for pharmacists in the UK, from any professional background, who are working, or are interested in working, in the specialist area of prescribing and medicines management. The FPMM has the same objectives as the college, whose mission statement is: “To promote professional and personal development of all pharmacists and their staff to ensure a competent workforce which aspires to excellence in practice.” In line with this, the faculty and the college have developed a series of professional competencies and criteria which they believe are important for their members to possess or to aspire to.

Those joining the faculty do so as associate members. To progress to full membership status, associate members need to undertake an accreditation process whereby they demonstrate that they have acquired the full range of the faculty and college’s competencies and criteria. Full membership status is the formal recognition of a high standard of practice and demonstrates a commitment to continuing professional development. It also provides formal recognition as a specialist practitioner in the field of prescribing and medicines management.

The faculty has had an accreditation process in place since 2004 and there are now 15 full members. To date, the accreditation process has required associate members to prepare a 4,000-word submission that outlines how they meet the competencies and criteria, with a supporting portfolio of evidence.

Links with CoDEG

Recently, the Competency Development and Evaluation Group (CoDEG) produced two competency frameworks for the development and approval of pharmacist posts in the NHS and in both primary and secondary care: the general level and the advanced and consultant level (ACLF). These frameworks have now been adopted by the DoH.

During the development process, the faculty was involved in the DoH commissioned audit of the advanced framework. Members (both full and associate) completed the audit and provided the results that demonstrated that the framework has broad applicability for specialist pharmacists delivering prescribing and medicines services.

Although the frameworks were designed initially for NHS-employed pharmacists, the structures and contents have broad applicability and relevance to pharmacists employed in the private sector (eg, in community pharmacy and other pharmacy organisations). Against this background, and in recognition of the needs of its members, the faculty was keen to ascertain if the frameworks could be incorporated into its own accreditation process. To determine this, CoDEG undertook a mapping exercise whereby the original college and faculty criteria and competencies were mapped onto the ACLF. This mapping showed that the two frameworks are broadly similar and that, by using the ACLF and providing evidence against the competencies within it, all the criteria required by the faculty will be met.

As a result of this work, it has been agreed that the faculty will move towards using the general framework and the ACLF as the basis for its accreditation process. This revised accreditation process will be introduced by the faculty in autumn 2006. It is, however, recognised that there will be a period of transition because some associate members will already have embarked on becoming accredited using the original accreditation process. Therefore it is expected that the two processes will operate simultaneously for some time.

Membership levels

From now on, when deciding to become accredited by the faculty, associate members will need to decide on the level of membership that is most appropriate for them.

General level The general level of membership has been introduced in recognition of the increase in the number of pharmacists providing medicines management services in the community, particularly as a result of the new community pharmacy contract. It is designed for pharmacists working in prescribing and medicines management in a general setting, including community pharmacists, hospital pharmacists not working solely in a single clinical specialty, pharmacists with less than three years’ experience in practice and responsible pharmacists. Pharmacists who may wish to apply for this level of membership will will be encouraged to move towards advanced membership if they take on a specialist role.

Advanced level The advanced level is likely to be the most appropriate level of membership for pharmacists working as specialists in primary care and at the interface with secondary care, professionals and managers supporting pharmacists (eg, area managers, professional development managers, pharmaceutical advisers), and pharmacists in specialist roles within secondary care.

Fellowship level Candidates with five or more years of experience of working at a specialist level or at a regional or national level may also consider applying for fellowship level membership. This uses the same framework as for the advanced level membership but requires demonstration of a higher level of competencies.

The new accreditation process

Associates applying for membership must demonstrate they have the skills, expertise and knowledge as defined by the faculty competency framework and the college criteria (if not already a full college member). They can do this by completing the appropriate framework — in a way that best matches their skills, experience and knowledge — to show that they have certain key competencies and skills. They can also submit a portfolio that provides evidence of the information contained in the framework. (A portfolio template is available from the faculty.)

The completed framework and portfolio will then be formally assessed by two members of the faculty. If accepted, the candidate will be interviewed by the same people. Successful application and interview confers membership of the faculty and of the college (if the associate member is not already a college member).

To support associate members in the accreditation process, a mentorship programme is available. Many faculty associates who have successfully gained full membership are happy to provide support and advice to those preparing for full membership. A list of those prepared to act as mentors is available from the faculty website

Further information Full details of the faculty and the benefits of becoming a member are available in the faculty handbook. This is available by telephoning the faculty co-ordinator on 024 7622 1359. The advanced and general level frameworks are also available by contacting the faculty.

Further information is also available by e-mail (info@collpharm.org.uk)