HLN451 Quality Use of Medicines and Safe Prescribing 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: | HLN451 |
|---|---|
| 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: | HLN451 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
This unit develops health professionals’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes to prescribe medicines safely within their scope of practice as members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, improving patient outcomes. The unit equips approved professionals (e.g registered nurses, physiotherapists) with principles of National and State Poisons and Medicines Regulations, Therapeutic Goods Administration requirements, Quality Use of Medicines, and Australia’s National Prescribing Competency Framework—essential for person‑centred prescribing within legislative parameters. Evidence‑based digital resources support real‑world safe prescribing in collaborative team settings. The unit complements HLN450 Clinical Therapeutics for Health Professionals. Student 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:
- Develop expanded clinical practice in clinical therapeutics with consideration of clinical, inter and intra-professional, and legislative requirements related to your registered health professional scope of practice and jurisdiction.
- Devise an individualised patient treatment plan, drawing on a review of the evidence and digital resources for assessment, diagnosis, and consideration of individual patient, pharmacological and non¬pharmacological therapeutics
- Critically apply knowledge and skills of Quality Use of Medicines and the application of Australia’s National Prescribing Competencies Framework
- Collaborate, consult with, and apply principles of inter-professional practice to engage other health care professionals where appropriate for patient care
- Apply evidence based therapeutic procedures and protocols as part of diverse and inclusive patient management, and health service delivery using digital capabilities for improved health outcomes.
Content
Core content in this unit covers the competencies outlined in Australia's National Prescribing Competencies Framework which detail the competencies, expectations, skills and behaviours for appropriate, safe and effective prescribing across relevant health professions. These prescribing competencies are incorporated with Quality Use of Medicines principles for application in real world healthcare towards improved patient health outcomes.
Learning Approaches
This unit is provided entirely online for the delivery of accessible education to promote knowledge and skills in prescribing competencies for suitable approved health professionals e.g. registered nurses and podiatrists. A range of blended learning approaches is used to promote knowledge and skills in safe and effective prescribing underpinned by principles of Quality Use of Medicines. This flexible learning approach includes online lectures, a comprehensive readings list, and online classes with enquiry-based interprofessional learning supported by nurse and pharmacist tutors who are expert in medicines management and safe prescribing principles. A digital learning platform provides access to all learning and unit content. This includes online discussion forums to support your success, as well as forming a community of practice with the teaching team and your peers.
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. Interprofessional 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 nurse and pharmacist clinicians, and provides the opportunity for shared knowledge across multiple health disciplines in the broader health care team, towards person-centred care and safe and effective prescribing.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback will be provided on each summative 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 safe and effective prescribing in their own specialty practice area using an evidence-based, Quality Use of Medicines lens and aligned with Australia’s National Prescribing Competency Framework.
There are three summative assessments to be completed in this unit. The first assessment scaffolds to develop a prescribing portfolio. The second assessment helps to develop and assess advanced therapeutics knowledge and safe prescribing within the health professional’s scope of practice.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Prescribing Competencies Self-Assessment
You will be required to complete two key tasks essential for safe and effective prescribing practice:
- Complete a Prescribing Competencies Self-Assessment and Learning Plan, aligned with Australia's National Prescribing Competencies Framework.
- Complete the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare online courses and National Prescribing Curriculum online modules
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Threshold Assessment:
Satisfactory performance with achievement of 50% for Assessment 1 is a condition for passing this unit as it demonstrates your ability to apply the National Prescribing Competencies as a future safe prescriber according to your professional standards for scheduled medicines endorsement.
You must submit all assessment items to pass this unit. If you do not achieve 50% for all assessment items. You will have the opportunity to resubmit any assessment item for which you achieved less than 50%.
Assessment: Best Possible Medication History
You will be assessed performing a Best Possible Medication History with your examiner acting as a mock patient. This assessment will be conducted online in a predetermined, restricted time span under invigilated conditions.
This is a verified identity assessment. To maintain assessment integrity, the examiner will need to verify your identity during the assessment.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
This assessment is not eligible for an extension.
Threshold Assessment:
Satisfactory performance with achievement of 50% for Assessment 2 is a condition for passing this unit as it demonstrates your ability to apply the National Prescribing Competencies as a future safe prescriber according to your professional standards for scheduled medicines endorsement.
You must submit all assessment items to pass this unit. If you do not achieve 50% for all assessment items. You will have the opportunity to resubmit any assessment item for which you achieved less than 50%.
Assessment: Prescribing Case Study
You will submit a prescribing patient case study from your area of practice to demonstrate safe and effective prescribing practice aligned with the National Prescribing Competencies Framework. This case study will also include a clinical reflection and a written Mock Prescription demonstrating your skills and knowledge when applied to a real-world prescribing scenario.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. Please see the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Threshold Assessment:
Satisfactory performance with achievement of 50% for Assessment 3 is a condition for passing this unit as it demonstrates your ability to apply the National Prescribing Competencies as a future safe prescriber according to your professional standards for scheduled medicines endorsement.
You must submit all assessment items to pass this unit. If you do not achieve 50% for all assessment items. You will have the opportunity to resubmit any assessment item for which you achieved less than 50%.
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
Registered Nurse 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 course. 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: Prescribing Competencies Self-Assessment, Best Possible Medication History - Critically analyse, evaluate, and reflect on specialist nursing knowledge, evidence and practice to improve patient care and health outcomes.
Relates to: Prescribing Competencies Self-Assessment, Best Possible Medication History - Use evidence-based theories and frameworks to inform emerging leadership practice in nursing and interprofessional collaborations.
Relates to: Best Possible Medication History - Reflect on ethical, sustainable and culturally safe practices that embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and diverse perspectives to improve person-centred care.
Relates to: Best Possible Medication History
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Online
| Unit code: | HLN451 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
This unit develops health professionals’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes to prescribe medicines safely within their scope of practice as members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, improving patient outcomes. The unit equips approved professionals (e.g registered nurses, physiotherapists) with principles of National and State Poisons and Medicines Regulations, Therapeutic Goods Administration requirements, Quality Use of Medicines, and Australia’s National Prescribing Competency Framework—essential for person‑centred prescribing within legislative parameters. Evidence‑based digital resources support real‑world safe prescribing in collaborative team settings. The unit complements HLN450 Clinical Therapeutics for Health Professionals. Student 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:
- Develop expanded clinical practice in clinical therapeutics with consideration of clinical, inter and intra-professional, and legislative requirements related to your registered health professional scope of practice and jurisdiction.
- Devise an individualised patient treatment plan, drawing on a review of the evidence and digital resources for assessment, diagnosis, and consideration of individual patient, pharmacological and non¬pharmacological therapeutics
- Critically apply knowledge and skills of Quality Use of Medicines and the application of Australia’s National Prescribing Competencies Framework
- Collaborate, consult with, and apply principles of inter-professional practice to engage other health care professionals where appropriate for patient care
- Apply evidence based therapeutic procedures and protocols as part of diverse and inclusive patient management, and health service delivery using digital capabilities for improved health outcomes.
Content
Core content in this unit covers the competencies outlined in Australia's National Prescribing Competencies Framework which detail the competencies, expectations, skills and behaviours for appropriate, safe and effective prescribing across relevant health professions. These prescribing competencies are incorporated with Quality Use of Medicines principles for application in real world healthcare towards improved patient health outcomes.
Learning Approaches
This unit is provided entirely online for the delivery of accessible education to promote knowledge and skills in prescribing competencies for suitable approved health professionals e.g. registered nurses and podiatrists. A range of blended learning approaches is used to promote knowledge and skills in safe and effective prescribing underpinned by principles of Quality Use of Medicines. This flexible learning approach includes online lectures, a comprehensive readings list, and online classes with enquiry-based interprofessional learning supported by nurse and pharmacist tutors who are expert in medicines management and safe prescribing principles. A digital learning platform provides access to all learning and unit content. This includes online discussion forums to support your success, as well as forming a community of practice with the teaching team and your peers.
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. Interprofessional 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 nurse and pharmacist clinicians, and provides the opportunity for shared knowledge across multiple health disciplines in the broader health care team, towards person-centred care and safe and effective prescribing.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback will be provided on each summative 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 safe and effective prescribing in their own specialty practice area using an evidence-based, Quality Use of Medicines lens and aligned with Australia’s National Prescribing Competency Framework.
There are three summative assessments to be completed in this unit. The first assessment scaffolds to develop a prescribing portfolio. The second assessment helps to develop and assess advanced therapeutics knowledge and safe prescribing within the health professional’s scope of practice.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Prescribing Competencies Self-Assessment
You will be required to complete two key tasks essential for safe and effective prescribing practice:
- Complete a Prescribing Competencies Self-Assessment and Learning Plan, aligned with Australia's National Prescribing Competencies Framework.
- Complete the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare online courses and National Prescribing Curriculum online modules
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Threshold Assessment:
Satisfactory performance with achievement of 50% for Assessment 1 is a condition for passing this unit as it demonstrates your ability to apply the National Prescribing Competencies as a future safe prescriber according to your professional standards for scheduled medicines endorsement.
You must submit all assessment items to pass this unit. If you do not achieve 50% for all assessment items. You will have the opportunity to resubmit any assessment item for which you achieved less than 50%.
Assessment: Best Possible Medication History
You will be assessed performing a Best Possible Medication History with your examiner acting as a mock patient. This assessment will be conducted online in a predetermined, restricted time span under invigilated conditions.
This is a verified identity assessment. To maintain assessment integrity, the examiner will need to verify your identity during the assessment.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
This assessment is not eligible for an extension.
Threshold Assessment:
Satisfactory performance with achievement of 50% for Assessment 2 is a condition for passing this unit as it demonstrates your ability to apply the National Prescribing Competencies as a future safe prescriber according to your professional standards for scheduled medicines endorsement.
You must submit all assessment items to pass this unit. If you do not achieve 50% for all assessment items. You will have the opportunity to resubmit any assessment item for which you achieved less than 50%.
Assessment: Prescribing Case Study
You will submit a prescribing patient case study from your area of practice to demonstrate safe and effective prescribing practice aligned with the National Prescribing Competencies Framework. This case study will also include a clinical reflection and a written Mock Prescription demonstrating your skills and knowledge when applied to a real-world prescribing scenario.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. Please see the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Threshold Assessment:
Satisfactory performance with achievement of 50% for Assessment 3 is a condition for passing this unit as it demonstrates your ability to apply the National Prescribing Competencies as a future safe prescriber according to your professional standards for scheduled medicines endorsement.
You must submit all assessment items to pass this unit. If you do not achieve 50% for all assessment items. You will have the opportunity to resubmit any assessment item for which you achieved less than 50%.
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
Registered Nurse 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 course. 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: Prescribing Competencies Self-Assessment, Best Possible Medication History - Critically analyse, evaluate, and reflect on specialist nursing knowledge, evidence and practice to improve patient care and health outcomes.
Relates to: Prescribing Competencies Self-Assessment, Best Possible Medication History - Use evidence-based theories and frameworks to inform emerging leadership practice in nursing and interprofessional collaborations.
Relates to: Best Possible Medication History - Reflect on ethical, sustainable and culturally safe practices that embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and diverse perspectives to improve person-centred care.
Relates to: Best Possible Medication History