Post-Registration Programme for Pharmacists early in their career
Development of pharmacists early in their career is important to build confidence and competence. Since 2021 we have developed and delivered the Post-Registration Foundation programme for Pharmacists which was aligned to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (now the Royal College of Pharmacy curriculum). With the qualification of pharmacists as prescribers, The Post -Registration Programme for Pharmacists (Scotland), a new programme will launch on 1st August 2026.
The Post-Registration Programme for Pharmacists (Scotland)
The Post-Registration Programme for pharmacists aims to deliver two pathways:
A Prescriber pathway for pharmacists who have qualified as a prescriber
A Non-Prescriber pathway for pharmacists early in their career who need an Independent Prescribing qualification.
The programme aligned to the 4 pillars of practice and to The Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) Enhanced Curriculum is expected to be completed in 24 months (inc. assessment).
The programme has been developed to provide:
employers with assurance of the level of practice
the development of confidence and competence through a supported training programme for pharmacists early in their career
a stepping stone to advanced practice.
Learners
The learners on the programme are early in their career, usually they have just completed their FTY training and are newly registered as a prescriber with the GPhC. It is recommended to make progress in training that the pharmacists need to work 3 days per week. Currently we are unable to register locum pharmacists due to funding models.
Registration is twice per annum on the 1st of August and mid December with a Training Start Date of 1st October and 1st February respectively.
After acceptance onto the programme learners are expected to complete online induction modules and join an online induction session to ensure they understand their role in the programme, how to develop evidence, the role of their Educational Supervisor (ES) and the role of collaborators. There are online educational sessions run throughout the calendar year and there is an online library of recordings that may be accessed to guide the learner on a variety of topic areas to ensure they develop quality portfolio for submission for the RCPharm assessment.
Active learning and development time
Development of evidence is mainly completed in the workplace from everyday practice with collaborators. Some evidence needs to have been observed. Learners are expected to receive time to develop evidence and attend educational sessions. The amount of time is at the discretion of employers. Employers should inform learners of the amount of time prior to them starting training. For community pharmacy, the time is as agreed with Community Pharmacy Scotland.
Supervision
Learners are required to have an Educational Supervisor.
Learners provide on registration the name of their ES after which the ES is invited to also register to join the programme. ESs are expected to complete online induction modules within 3 months of the learner’s training start date. The online induction modules are accessed once the ES is registered. ESs are also expected to join an online induction educational session to ensure they understand the programme, their role and the role of the learner.
Development of evidence
Evidence is developed through completion of Supervised Learning Events (SLEs), with feedback from colleagues within NHS Scotland (collaborators). The evidence is developed in the RCPharm online portfolio.
Milestones
Milestones for the programme mainly focus on the Intermediate Progress Reviews which are undertaken by the learner and the ES every 4 months in Jan, May and Sept each year. There are ‘windows of learning’ and the Senior Educators, Public Services Delivery (Scotland) are aligned to different learners and provide support and guidance at various milestone points throughout training.
Assessment
The assessment strategy, developed by the RCPharm is one of programmatic assessment with the Supervised Learning Events (SLEs), enabling a picture of the development of the pharmacist overtime to emerge. PSD (Scotland) fund up to two assessments in the one financial year (submission followed by a resubmission), depending on the finances available.
The final formal portfolio assessment is undertaken by trained RCPharm assessors. Assessment can be undertaken in a modular fashion with Domains 1-5 inc., Domains 1 & 2, and Domains 3,4, & 5 being able to be assessed at different times. It is expected that all learners will complete Domains 1 & 2.
Credential
On completion of a successful assessment learners will be awarded:
- Enhanced clinical credential (Domains 1 & 2)
- Enhanced non-clinical credential (Domains 3, 4 & 5)
- Full enhanced credential (all domains)
Frequently Asked Questions
We have put together, below, some frequently asked questions.
| What is the purpose of the programme? |
|
The purpose of the programme in Scotland is to support early career pharmacists to develop and grow their competence, confidence and experience to deliver the services in NHS Scotland, in line with the RCPharm Enhanced curriculum, to the point of credential. The programme provides learners with; support, mentorship and the opportunity for supervision whilst training. Employers will be reassured of the level of practice through the development of confident, competent pharmacists early in their career. |
| How often and when does registration open? |
| Registration is twice per year and opens on the 1st of August and 1st of December with a Training Start Date of 1st October and 1st February respectively. |
| Who can join the programme? |
| The programme is for pharmacists early in their career regardless of prescribing status. Unfortunately, due to the funding model locum pharmacists are unable to join at this time. |
| Does the pharmacist need an Educational Supervisor and if so, what is their role? |
| Yes, the learner does need an ES. The ES will guide and support the learner as well as complete the Intermediate Progress Review (IPR) every 4 months (Jan, May and Sept) and will review and provide feedback at the IPR on some evidence. |
| What form does the evidence take? |
| The evidence is mainly in the form of Supervised Learning Events that are completed in the workplace with a colleague (a collaborator). The collaborator provides feedback and so over time a picture emerges of the level of practice of the pharmacist. |
| How long does the programme take to complete? |
|
The Prescriber pathway takes 2 years and that includes submitting for assessment. The Non- Prescriber pathway takes longer due to the need to complete an IP course. The Non- Prescriber pathway therefore takes nearer 3 years. |
| Is there any flexibility? Can learners pause their training? |
| There is flexibility and learners can pause their training for up to 8 weeks at a time. |
| What support is given? |
|
PSD Scotland delivers educational webinars and peer sessions online. Senior Educators support learners on a 1:1 basis with their Educational Supervisor. There is a library of recordings to help with understanding as to how to achieve the outcomes in the Enhanced curriculum |
| What form does the assessment take and what is the qualification is received if successful? |
|
The assessment model is modular in nature. Ideally everyone will complete Domains 1- 5 inclusive and be assessed on the 5 Domains at assessment. However, some employers may only wish pharmacists to complete Domains 1 and 2. Other employers may wish Domains 1 and 2 to be completed followed by Domains 3,4 and 5 (after a short break). The credential received is the Full Enhanced credential if Domains 1-5 inc. are completed, The Clinical credential if only Domains 1 and 2 are completed. Should Domains 3,4, and then 5 be completed then the Non- Clinical credential will be awarded. |
| How much funding is received for having a learner on the programme? |
| We are currently in discussion with Community Pharmacy Scotland. Discussions have been around 12 months of funding; the timeframe would include submitting Domains 1 and 2 only for assessment. The detail of the funding model has still to be finalised. |
Interested in joining the programme?
Registration will open on 1st August 2026 and close on Friday 25th September 2026.
To be able to register you should be/have:
a pharmacist registered with the GPhC
employed (we are currently unable to register locum pharmacists)
discussed with your employer
been given the name of your Educational Supervisor
discussed with your employer the pathway you will be following; Prescriber or Non-Prescriber pathway
discussed with your employer if they intend you to submit for assessment of Domains 1-5 inc. or Domains 1 and 2 (in first instance).
Still need more information?
The FTY trainees receive a flyer with registration link at the FTY Preparation for Practice session. Employers currently engaged in the programme receive the flyer at the same time.
Please contact nes.pharmacistfp@nhs.scot
- The Royal College of Pharmacy website https://www.rcpharm.org/
Accessed 1st June 2026.
Meet the Team (coming soon)
Registration
Download the Programme Flyer which incorporates the registration link
Experiences from Pharmacists who have completed the previous programme
This programme was aligned to the RPS Foundation Level curriculum. The Post-Registration Foundation programme (2021) (Closed registration February 2026)
Rachael Kelly
The RPS Post-Registration Foundation Programme underpinned my development as an early career pharmacist. The portfolio has supported my learning by encouraging a collaborative and reflective-based approach to my work as a pharmacist, which I continue to utilise today.
To listen to Rachael talk about her experience of her training, please refer to the recording below:
Scott Hamilton
The Post-Registration Foundation Programme provided me with a structured framework through which I could build and improve upon my clinical and professional skills as a newly qualified hospital pharmacist. By seeking new learning opportunities within a variety of clinical specialties and with the support of my peers across the multi-disciplinary team, I was able to effectively build a diverse and comprehensive portfolio that documented the progression of my knowledge and skills within my clinical practice.
I really valued the constructive feedback provided by my supervised learning event collaborators as it allowed me to identify my personal learning needs and I could then focus on developing my skills in these areas. Opportunities to develop my research and leadership skills were invaluable and I have really benefited from building experience in these domains as part this training programme.
To listen to Scott talk about his experience of the training programme please select the link below:
My journey through the Post-Registration Foundation Training Programme
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.
To listen to Siobhan talk about her experience of her training, please refer to the recording below:
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 selecting 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.