Post-Registration Foundation Programme for pharmacists

Development of pharmacists early in their career is important to build confidence and competence. NES Pharmacy deliver an educational programme for pharmacists early in their career that is aligned to the 5 pillars of practice and outcomes of the RPS UK wide curriculum, offers the opportunity to learn in the workplace following a structured programme and enables the development of confidence and competence.

This programme, that launched in Autumn 2021, has been aligned to the UK wide, Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), Post-Registration Foundation curriculum and has been developed with key stakeholders for pharmacists early in their career. It includes specific requirements and content to reflect the needs of the patients, work force and service delivery in NHS Scotland (1). It is a structured programme with support for Foundation pharmacists and Educational Supervisors provided by members of the Post-Registration Foundation programme team. A key aspect of this specific programme is that it includes, until January 2027, should progression allow, the opportunity to progress to an Independent Prescribing course delivered by one of the universities in Scotland. 

The programme is designed to help you develop as a pharmacist early in your career by: 

• offering you the opportunity to join a structured programme which enables you to develop behaviours and skills in the workplace and, via an online RPS portfolio, monitor your own progress as you complete the programme and submit for the RPS assessment 

• offering you the opportunity to develop your confidence, competence and to help you become an integrated member of the wider healthcare team 

• providing you with support in the form of online resources, online educational support sessions and online peer sessions with others to promote discussion and further learning.  

• supporting your educational supervisor’s development thus enabling them to support you as effectively as possible 

• promoting learning in the workplace and practical application of knowledge through the completion of supervised learning events, enabling provision of real time feedback to enhance learning 

• facilitating your career development and preparing you for embarking on advanced practice 

Registration

Registration will open in December 2024 for a training start date on 1^st February 2025.

• The programme is aimed at pharmacists early in their career. However, those who have more experience and wish to join the programme, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If you have more than 2 years experience working as a qualified pharmacist, contact the team at the email address below and we will let you know if you are eligible to join the programme.
• To enable progression and completion within approximately 2.5 -3 years, learners should ideally work 3 days per week and due to the funding model within community pharmacy, be with the same employer. 
• Unfortunately, we are currently unable to accommodate locum pharmacists.  

Please read the information about the programme and if you are eligible, use the link in the flyer to register to start the programme at the next available training start date. 

Post-Registration Foundation programme Registration October 2024

Still need more information?

FAQs

Please contact nes.pharmacistfp@nhs.scot

Resources 

1. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society Post Registration Foundation curriculum  

Information about the training programme

We are happy to offer support for learning for those early in their career with our structured programme. After completing some leadership, clinical skills training and learning outcomes prepare you for a prescribing role, you will have the opportunity to join an independent prescribing course. Whilst on the independent prescribing course you should use all opportunities to complete outcomes for Domains 3, 4 and 5 to enable you to submit for assessment as soon as you can.

Foundation Pharmacists who have passed the RPS Assessment

Siobhan Dobie

As an early career pharmacist, I began the RPS Post-Registration Foundation Credentialing journey when I first qualified. This greatly aided my transition to hospital after completing my foundation training year in the community sector.

Continue reading by clicking on the following link: Achieving RPS Post-Registration Foundation Credentialing

Erin Gilmour

The portfolio's flexibility allowed me to explore opportunities in non-clinical areas such as leadership and research. Reflective practice has been crucial in this process, helping me identify areas for development and actively address them. This approach has supported me in taking on challenges, considering them from new perspectives, and implementing effective solutions.

Continue reading by clicking on the following link: Professional growth with RPS Post-Registration Foundation credentialing

Contact us

If you are interested in learning more about the training programme please contact us on nes.pharmacistfp@nhs.scot.