About the course
ABOUT THE COURSE
This course is designed for Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Assistants working in ward-based or clinical settings to assess patients' own medications and manage further supplies.
The use of patients' own drugs (PODs) is common in UK healthcare organisations. It has been shown to reduce medication waste, lower drug costs, and assist in transferring patients between care settings.
Module 1 focuses on developing the skills and competency of Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants in determining the suitability of PODs for use.
Module 2 enhances skills in ordering medicines, identifying risks related to medicine supply, and resolving them. It covers recognising inappropriate medicine use, missed doses, and implementing effective waste management through proper storage conditions.
Both modules also cover:
- Identifying discrepancies and issues during the process.
- How to address these discrepancies through appropriate referral.
- Key skills fundamental to the professionalism of pharmacy technicians and assistants.
You may choose to complete both modules simultaneously, or just one, depending on your workplace needs.
Course Delivery Method: The course is delivered through blended learning, which includes e-learning, face-to-face teaching, and collecting workplace evidence.
Course Completion Requirements: To complete the course, candidates must:
- Finish the e-learning packages.
- Attend a virtual study day.
- Build a portfolio of evidence, including logs of 100 correctly checked PODs (Module 1) and 100 correctly transcribed items (Module 2).
- Reflect on and complete five holistic observations per module.
- Undergo an external review.
Additional Requirements:
- Pharmacy Technicians: Must complete the CPPE 'Professionalism' workshop.
- Pharmacy Assistants: Must complete the following online learning prior to the study day:
- Basic Pharmaceutical Calculations
- Communication Skills
- Formulations, Routes of Administration, and Abbreviations
Entry Criteria and Pre-requisites
ENTRY CRITERIA:
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- At least 3 months of experience in a medicines management role within their organisation.
- A recommendation from the Senior Pharmacy Manager or designated Deputy.
- A patient-facing role with at least three months' induction in that area.
- Evidence of NVQ Level 2 for Pharmacy Assistants or a relevant Pharmacy Technician qualification.
Pre-requisites: Before attending the study day, all candidates should:
- Be assigned a qualified Educational Supervisor*
- Be familiar with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to their medicines management role.
- Have completed a full induction into the area, supervised by an experienced Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician accredited in medicines management or deemed occupationally competent.
*Educational Supervisors must be on the UEA approved list. All new Educational Supervisors are required to email.
Dates and Registration
COURSE START DATES
- Wednesday, 16th October 2024
- Wednesday, 22nd January 2025
- Wednesday, 14th May 2025
Please apply at least 2 weeks before the course start date.
REGISTRATION
Pharmacy Technicians interested in registering for the Programme should use the UEA Application Form link below. On entering the site, create a user account and select 'Professional Development Applications' to apply for the course.
Contact Us
For further information, contact the UEA Pharmacy Technician Programme Team: pharm.cpdreg@uea.ac.uk