HLN450 Clinical Therapeutics for Health Professionals
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | HLN450 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $592 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,468 |
| International unit fee | $5,040 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Online
| Unit code: | HLN450 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
This unit enables registered health professionals from multiple disciplines to pursue postgraduate non‑medical prescribing pathways. Examples include registered nurses (RNs) and physiotherapists. It provides an overview of Quality Use of Medicines (QUM), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, and safe use of medicines—including complementary therapies—for diverse patient groups across common health conditions. You will develop a framework for appropriate medicine selection using pharmacology and clinical therapeutics knowledge. Core learning includes high‑quality evidence‑based medicines information databases that build digital capability and support safe, effective medicines management for improved patient outcomes. The unit complements HLN451 QUM and Safe Prescribing for Health Professionals. Enrolment is capped at 100 under Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia accreditation conditions.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically review the evidence related to the safe and effective use of medicines, incorporating knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug interactions in the context of body systems and physiology
- Apply clinical expertise, practice skills and digital capabilities to Quality Use of Medicines principles
- Apply up to date pharmacotherapeutic and clinical knowledge from key evidence-based medicines resources, in the context of culturally safe, person-centred care for improved health outcomes.
Content
This unit is designed to develop and support health professionals’ clinical knowledge, skills, and attributes to support safe and effective use of pharmacotherapeutics within their scope of patient care and as members of the multidisciplinary health care team. Completion of this unit will provide a foundation consistent with the clinical, organisational, professional, and legislative requirements for evidence-based medicines management within the health professional’s scope of practice.
The content of this unit includes:
- Introduction to medicines, Australia's medicines regulator the Therapeutics Goods Administration, and QUM principles
- Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenomics, drug interactions, complementary medicines and considerations for diverse and special populations e.g. older adults, paediatrics, pregnancy and lactation
- Clinical therapeutics across a range of body systems and medical conditions in the context of person-centred care for improved health outcomes
The principles of QUM, person-centred care and interprofessional communication and collaboration are incorporated into this unit. QUM principles are essential aspects of safe and effective medicines use for improved patient health outcomes as per Australia’s National Medicines Policy. This unit also introduces Australia’s National Prescribing Competency Framework.
Learning Approaches
This unit is provided entirely online for the delivery of accessible education for health professionals e.g. registered nurses, podiatrists, and physiotherapists. A range of blended learning approaches is used to promote knowledge and skills in pharmacotherapeutics and principles of QUM. This flexible learning approach includes online lectures, online study guides, select readings, and online classes with enquiry-based learning supported by pharmacist tutors who are expert in medicines management.
Active and inquiry-based learning approaches will underpin this unit. During the semester you will be encouraged to think critically about medicines relevant to your specialty and practice area, through analysis of evidence and case studies and through interprofessional online class discussions. These online class activities involve analysis and evaluation of case studies which may include those case studies developed and presented in class by you. This unit encourages an interprofessional collaborative approach, coordinated by expert pharmacist clinicians, and provides the opportunity for shared knowledge across multiple health disciplines towards safe and effective medicines use, focusing on person-centred care.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback will be provided on each assessment item. A structured approach to assessment and marking will be applied to provide you with detailed feedback on your progress.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment used in this unit offers learners the opportunity to critically evaluate and analyse pharmacotherapeutics in their own specialty/practice area using an evidence-based Quality Use of Medicines lens. There are two summative assessments to be completed in this unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Presentation – Medicine Therapy Overview
You will critically review the evidence relating to one drug/medicine commonly prescribed for a medical condition/disease process in your area of practice/specialisation. Present an overview of the use of this medicine in the context of delivering education on this medication to your peers and the broader healthcare team. Consider how clinical therapeutics for person-centred care apply to this medication in your context. You will present this orally to your marker in a synchronous Zoom session and submit your presentation slides separately.
Assessment: Quality Use of Medicines evaluation
You are to select one drug/medicine for your written critique. Using a Quality Use of Medicines framework, critically review the evidence relating to the safe and effective use of this drug/medicine commonly encountered in your area of practice. This medicine must differ to the one chosen in Assessment 1.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
RN applicants must:
- Provide evidence of current employment as a registered nurse, with at least two years full-time equivalent clinical experience.
- Submit a letter of support from your Director of Nursing (or equivalent) confirming your suitability for this pathway.
To gain Endorsement for scheduled medicines, a designated registered nurse prescriber with AHPRA, the RN must have 5,000 hours of post-initial registration clinical experience within the last six years. Following successful completion of both HLN450 and HLN451 nursing students will meet the education criteria for entry on the Australian Health Practitioner Register with an endorsement for scheduled medicines - designated registered nurse prescriber.
Resources
Key resources required for this unit are provided online via QUT Library website for enrolled students. These resources can also be accessed via e.g. Queensland Health Clinical Knowledge Network (CKN) for current employees of Queensland Health.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Australian Medicines Handbook, SA: AMH Pty Ltd (current edition). [Electronic version available via QUT Library website]
eTG Complete. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. (current edition). [Electronic version available via QUT Library website].
Risk Assessment Statement
This is an online unit. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times if attending campus. Students can obtain more information on health and safety from: QUT Health, Safety and Environments
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.NS32 Graduate Certificate in Nursing
- Demonstrate and apply advanced health care knowledge and skills in a specialist nursing area.
Relates to: Presentation – Medicine Therapy Overview , Quality Use of Medicines evaluation - Critically analyse, evaluate, and reflect on specialist nursing knowledge, evidence and practice to improve patient care and health outcomes.
Relates to: Presentation – Medicine Therapy Overview , Quality Use of Medicines evaluation - Use evidence-based theories and frameworks to inform emerging leadership practice in nursing and interprofessional collaborations.
Relates to: Quality Use of Medicines evaluation - Communicate complex evidence-based knowledge through education, professional communication, and a range of digital technologies.
Relates to: Presentation – Medicine Therapy Overview
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Online
| Unit code: | HLN450 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
This unit enables registered health professionals from multiple disciplines to pursue postgraduate non‑medical prescribing pathways. Examples include registered nurses (RNs) and physiotherapists. It provides an overview of Quality Use of Medicines (QUM), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, and safe use of medicines—including complementary therapies—for diverse patient groups across common health conditions. You will develop a framework for appropriate medicine selection using pharmacology and clinical therapeutics knowledge. Core learning includes high‑quality evidence‑based medicines information databases that build digital capability and support safe, effective medicines management for improved patient outcomes. The unit complements HLN451 QUM and Safe Prescribing for Health Professionals. Enrolment is capped at 100 under Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia accreditation conditions.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically review the evidence related to the safe and effective use of medicines, incorporating knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug interactions in the context of body systems and physiology
- Apply clinical expertise, practice skills and digital capabilities to Quality Use of Medicines principles
- Apply up to date pharmacotherapeutic and clinical knowledge from key evidence-based medicines resources, in the context of culturally safe, person-centred care for improved health outcomes.
Content
This unit is designed to develop and support health professionals’ clinical knowledge, skills, and attributes to support safe and effective use of pharmacotherapeutics within their scope of patient care and as members of the multidisciplinary health care team. Completion of this unit will provide a foundation consistent with the clinical, organisational, professional, and legislative requirements for evidence-based medicines management within the health professional’s scope of practice.
The content of this unit includes:
- Introduction to medicines, Australia's medicines regulator the Therapeutics Goods Administration, and QUM principles
- Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenomics, drug interactions, complementary medicines and considerations for diverse and special populations e.g. older adults, paediatrics, pregnancy and lactation
- Clinical therapeutics across a range of body systems and medical conditions in the context of person-centred care for improved health outcomes
The principles of QUM, person-centred care and interprofessional communication and collaboration are incorporated into this unit. QUM principles are essential aspects of safe and effective medicines use for improved patient health outcomes as per Australia’s National Medicines Policy. This unit also introduces Australia’s National Prescribing Competency Framework.
Learning Approaches
This unit is provided entirely online for the delivery of accessible education for health professionals e.g. registered nurses, podiatrists, and physiotherapists. A range of blended learning approaches is used to promote knowledge and skills in pharmacotherapeutics and principles of QUM. This flexible learning approach includes online lectures, online study guides, select readings, and online classes with enquiry-based learning supported by pharmacist tutors who are expert in medicines management.
Active and inquiry-based learning approaches will underpin this unit. During the semester you will be encouraged to think critically about medicines relevant to your specialty and practice area, through analysis of evidence and case studies and through interprofessional online class discussions. These online class activities involve analysis and evaluation of case studies which may include those case studies developed and presented in class by you. This unit encourages an interprofessional collaborative approach, coordinated by expert pharmacist clinicians, and provides the opportunity for shared knowledge across multiple health disciplines towards safe and effective medicines use, focusing on person-centred care.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback will be provided on each assessment item. A structured approach to assessment and marking will be applied to provide you with detailed feedback on your progress.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment used in this unit offers learners the opportunity to critically evaluate and analyse pharmacotherapeutics in their own specialty/practice area using an evidence-based Quality Use of Medicines lens. There are two summative assessments to be completed in this unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Presentation – Medicine Therapy Overview
You will critically review the evidence relating to one drug/medicine commonly prescribed for a medical condition/disease process in your area of practice/specialisation. Present an overview of the use of this medicine in the context of delivering education on this medication to your peers and the broader healthcare team. Consider how clinical therapeutics for person-centred care apply to this medication in your context. You will present this orally to your marker in a synchronous Zoom session and submit your presentation slides separately.
Assessment: Quality Use of Medicines evaluation
You are to select one drug/medicine for your written critique. Using a Quality Use of Medicines framework, critically review the evidence relating to the safe and effective use of this drug/medicine commonly encountered in your area of practice. This medicine must differ to the one chosen in Assessment 1.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
RN applicants must:
- Provide evidence of current employment as a registered nurse, with at least two years full-time equivalent clinical experience.
- Submit a letter of support from your Director of Nursing (or equivalent) confirming your suitability for this pathway.
To gain Endorsement for scheduled medicines, a designated registered nurse prescriber with AHPRA, the RN must have 5,000 hours of post-initial registration clinical experience within the last six years. Following successful completion of both HLN450 and HLN451 nursing students will meet the education criteria for entry on the Australian Health Practitioner Register with an endorsement for scheduled medicines - designated registered nurse prescriber.
Resources
Key resources required for this unit are provided online via QUT Library website for enrolled students. These resources can also be accessed via e.g. Queensland Health Clinical Knowledge Network (CKN) for current employees of Queensland Health.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Australian Medicines Handbook, SA: AMH Pty Ltd (current edition). [Electronic version available via QUT Library website]
eTG Complete. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. (current edition). [Electronic version available via QUT Library website].
Risk Assessment Statement
This is an online unit. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times if attending campus. Students can obtain more information on health and safety from: QUT Health, Safety and Environments
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.NS32 Graduate Certificate in Nursing
- Demonstrate and apply advanced health care knowledge and skills in a specialist nursing area.
Relates to: Presentation – Medicine Therapy Overview , Quality Use of Medicines evaluation - Critically analyse, evaluate, and reflect on specialist nursing knowledge, evidence and practice to improve patient care and health outcomes.
Relates to: Presentation – Medicine Therapy Overview , Quality Use of Medicines evaluation - Use evidence-based theories and frameworks to inform emerging leadership practice in nursing and interprofessional collaborations.
Relates to: Quality Use of Medicines evaluation - Communicate complex evidence-based knowledge through education, professional communication, and a range of digital technologies.
Relates to: Presentation – Medicine Therapy Overview