NHS Education for Scotland
A skilled and sustainable workforce for a healthier Scotland
NHS Education for Scotland
A skilled and sustainable workforce for a healthier Scotland
NES Pharmacy provides support to pharmacy technicians through a Vocational Training Foundation programme, designed to build in a progressive manner a common set of behaviours and skills required by all pharmacy technicians. We also support pharmacy technicians to progress towards the Professional Development Award (PDA) in Assessment and Supply of Individual Patients' Medicines at SCQF Level 7.
The vocational training foundation programme for pharmacy technicians has been developed in response to an existing gap in pharmacy technician education and development.
The foundation competency framework which underpins the programme has FIVE generic core elements which enable pharmacy technicians working in hospital, community and primary care (including cross sector roles) to undertake a standardised foundation training programme. Additional role specific competencies allow the pharmacy technician to identify development within their own sector allowing them to gain specialised experience.
The programme aims to build in a progressive manner a common set of behaviours and skills required by all pharmacy technicians. It is designed to increase confidence, competence and capability. Pharmacy technicians completing the programme will develop a systematic approach to practice within their defined roles.
The programme is currently in pilot. More information can be found on Turas Learn or by contacting nes.pharmacytechnicians@nhs.scot
NES Pharmacy has developed an online learning pathway for pharmacy technicians working in General Practice. This course supports the delivery of the Pharmacotherapy service as outlined in the GMS 2018 Contract, and consists of six modules, delivered over a period of eight months.
The Learning Pathway will run annually, and NHS Boards will be invited to nominate interested pharmacy technicians. You should discuss with your line manager if you are interested in participating on the Learning Pathway. Participation will require you to commit to a minimum of 4 hours of learning per month. More information can be found on Turas Learn: General Practice Learning Pathway for Pharmacy Technicians or by contacting nes.pharmacytechnicians@nhs.scot
The Pharmacy Technician Education & Training Strategic Group (PTET) conducted a survey in 2023 to establish which courses/learning programmes were being used at that time for pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support staff across Scotland. Responses were received from the pharmacy managed care sector across Scotland including acute and primary care settings. The collated responses, shown below, can be used as an information resource to help pharmacy support staff, pharmacy technicians and their managers see what learning is being used by their colleagues across Scotland.
This information is not intended to form a recommendation for any of the courses listed. It is also recognised that there are many more courses/learning programmes available. Links to websites have been provided so that any interested parties can find out more information.
Pharmacy support staff training to meet GPhC regulation requirements
|
Course |
SCQF Level |
Website |
|
SVQ Pharmacy Services at SCQF L6 |
6 |
|
|
Modern Apprenticeship Pharmacy Services L6 – check if Edinburgh college deliver the MA |
6 |
|
|
Buttercups Training courses for pharmacy support staff |
Not assigned |
Development courses for pharmacy support staff
|
Course |
SCQF Level |
Website |
|
Institute of Supply Chain Management at L3 |
6 |
|
|
Institute of Supply Chain Management at L4 |
7 |
Pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician training to meet GPhC registration entry requirements
|
Course |
SCQF Level |
Website |
|
SQA Diploma in Pharmacy Services |
7 |
|
|
Technical Apprenticeship Pharmacy Services |
7 |
|
|
Buttercups Pharmacy Technician Training Programmes |
Not assigned |
Post-registration Pharmacy Technician Training
|
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) courses |
SCQF Level |
Website |
|
HNC Pharmacy Services Development & Management |
7 |
|
|
PDA Assessment & Supply of Individual Patient's Medicines |
7 |
|
|
PDA Final Accuracy Checking by Pharmacy Technicians |
7 |
|
|
Pharmacy Aseptic Checking Technicians |
7 |
|
|
L&D9DI Assess Workplace Competence using Direct and Indirect Methods (Assessor course) |
8 |
|
|
L&D11 Internally Monitor and Maintain the Quality of Workplace Assessment (Internal Verifier course) |
8 |
|
|
L&D12 Externally Monitor and Maintain the Quality of Workplace Assessment (External Verifier course) |
9 |
|
|
SVQ in Management at SCQF L7 |
7 |
|
|
SVQ in Management at SCQF L9
|
9 |
|
|
SVQ in Management at SCQF L11 |
11 |
|
Other courses |
SCQF Level |
Website |
|
BTEC Level 4 Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy Services and Therapeutics |
7 |
|
|
ILM Leadership and Management (various levels) |
various |
|
|
CMI Leadership and Management (various levels) |
various |
|
|
Edward Jenner Leadership Programme |
Not assigned |
www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/programmes/the-edward-jenner-programme |
|
Buttercups Accuracy Checking Course for Pharmacy Technicians |
Not assigned |
|
|
Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) L4 Diploma |
7 |
|
|
NHS Research Scotland Introduction to Good Clinical Practice |
|
|
|
Leeds University – Aseptic Services for Managers |
Not assigned |
|
|
BOPA – Introduction to oncology |
|
|
|
Graduate Apprenticeships – Data Science |
10 |
|
|
Pharmacy Management Clinical Leadership in Pharmacy (CLIP) Programme |
|
|
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) |
SCQF Level |
Website |
|
Develop Self, Others and Service |
Not assigned |
|
|
A Taste of Leadership |
Not assigned |
|
|
Advanced Leadership 'Delivering the Vision' |
Not assigned |
|
|
Scottish Quality and Safety Fellowship programme |
Not assigned |
|
|
Scottish Pharmacy Clinical Leadership Fellow Scheme |
Not assigned |
www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/news/scottish-pharmacy-clinical-leadership-fellow-spclf-scheme |
|
Health Improvement Scotland Primary Care Access Programme QI course |
Not assigned |
https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/news/access-quality-improvement-qi-programme-launch-of-cohort-one |
NES Pharmacy Programme of Resources
Pharmacy Support Staff and Pharmacy Technicians use a broad range of resources that NHS Education for Scotland has developed to support the pharmacy workforce within Scotland. The NES Pharmacy Programme of Resources can be accessed by the following link.
NES Pharmacy Programme of Resources
More information is available on the NES virtual learning environment - Turas Learn
NES National Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician Scheme
In response to the NES National Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician Scheme Steering Group members, NES pharmacy have compiled the following guidance on general points employers may wish to consider, whilst engaging with and securing Technical Apprenticeship funded places, via further education colleges. To view this document please select the following link.