London Pharmacy Education & Training

Pharmacy Technician Self Development

Programme
London and East of England
(Bedfordshire, essex & Hertfordshire)
Reviewed March 2010
 Pharmacy Technician
Self Development
Programme

1. Introduction
2. What is the Pharmacy Technician Self Development Programme?
3. Evaluation of the programme
4. How does the programme work?
5. Stages visualised

Introduction Stage
1
6. Foundation Skills

Intermediate Stage 2
7. Introduction to Management

Specialist Stage 3
8. Information Technology
9. Managing your services
10. Medicines Information
11. Mental Health
12. Primary Care & Community health services
13. Procurement
14. Quality Control
15. Stores Distribution
16. Technical Services
17. Clinical Pharmacy & Medicines Management

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 Introduction

The Pharmacy Technician Self Development Programme was introduced in 1997, following
an identification of training and development needs exercise for pharmacy technicians.

This programme for qualified pharmacy technicians, recognises the role you play in the
delivery of pharmaceutical services, and has itself evolved with the developments in
technicians roles since its creation

Many employers in London & East of England (Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire and Essex) are
using the Pharmacy Technician Self Development Programme alongside their own appraisal
or personal development planning procedures.

In addition the programme can act as a catalyst, starting point or aid to your continuing
Professional Development (CPD).

What is the
Pharmacy Technician Self Development
Programme?
It aims to:
• provide a more structured approach to your normal career progression
• develop and recognise your skills
• prepare you for extending and developing your roles within pharmacy services

It is:
• flexible
• simple (the paperwork can be undertaken easily within the normal workplace environment)
• self-led (you are responsible for your own learning and development)
• non-compulsory
• a ‘pick and mix’ development tool, (you do not have to cover the programme in a set order)

The programme comprises 3 levels

For each level, there are specific objectives to cover, and tasks to complete

Evaluation of the programme

The programme has recently been completely reviewed by specific working parties and by consulting with
individual pharmacy staff.
As a result a number of new developments and amendments have been made

The new style programme

• The programme is now printed in individual sections
Foundation Skills
Intermediate Skills
Specialised Skills
• Each level/specialist training pack will be regularly updated to incorporate current practice
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 How does the programme work?
Who can undertake it?

Pharmacy Technicians who are able to register with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

What does it involve?

For each training package you undertake there are training or development activities in defined areas,
covering specific objectives that enable you to complete certain tasks.

What support is available?

Most of the objectives in the programme are supported by both in-house training from the employer and/or
study day packages and resources recommended by London Pharmacy Education & Training

What is the role of the facilitator?

You will require a locally nominated workplace facilitator. This facilitator provides support and guidance,
enabling you to complete the levels and tasks of the programme.

The facilitator can be a pharmacist or pharmacy technician based within your organisation but must be
competent in the specialty they are facilitating in.

It is recommended that the facilitator is someone who has the opportunity to meet regularly with you (on a
formal or informal basis) to discuss progress and to give you guidance and feedback.

What paperwork is required?

Each level/specialist option comes with:

• an objectives template
• recording forms
• notification forms

You are responsible for keeping a portfolio of developmental progress. This provides the facilitator with
evidence that objectives and tasks have been completed

Some examples of the types of evidence that you could provide are:

• a written summary of any meeting attended and the role that you played
• written details of any learning achieved
• giving a presentation, or writing/reviewing a procedure or report
• a written statement from a colleague (e.g. Dispensary Manager) that you have completed a certain
task (e.g. dealing with an awkward customer)
• certificates of attendance at study days, together with a completed plan of action

All paperwork associated with the programme has been kept as simple as possible

We have deliberately avoided attaching strict standards for competence, however if a task does not meet
local standard policy of procedure, or is not carried out to the satisfaction of the facilitator (e.g. if you write
a procedure that is not suitable for use in the department) then the task should be undertaken again until
satisfactorily completed

What happens when I have completed all the objectives and tasks in a stage?

Once all of the objectives and tasks have been completed to the satisfaction of your facilitator he/she signs
and sends off the notification form.

A certificate of competence is then issued by London Pharmacy Education & Training for each
level/specialist training pack completed.

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 Foundation Skills Specialised Skills
For all qualified pharmacy Specialist training packs for
technicians to consolidate training pharmacy technicians wishing to
experiences develop on, or gain their first chief
All of the areas must be covered to or specialist post
obtain stage 1 These can be undertaken as discrete
specialist training packs
Patient Counselling

Education & Training

Presentation skills (Under Development)

Manufacturing

Mental Health
Distribution

Procedure Writing
Medicines Information

Dispensing

Technical Services
Customer Care

Continuing Professional Distribution & Procurement

Development (CPD)

Intermediate
Skills Managing Your Services

For all qualified pharmacy

technicians to develop in, or
gain their first senior post Quality Control

Introduction to Supervision &

Clinical Pharmacy &
Management
Medicines Management

Introduction to Technical
Services Primary Care and Community
Health Services

Supporting and Training Staff

in the Workplace

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 Foundation Skills

Content
 Rotational work programme covering all aspects of the local pharmacy service to
consolidate training experience
 Training in patient counselling, procedure writing, presentation skills, customer care,
good distribution practice, good manufacturing practice, good dispensing practice and
continuing professional development (CPD)

Objectives
Pharmacy Technicians should be able to:
1. discuss the types of information that patients should be given, and the possible
consequences of giving information
2. use questioning, listening and explaining skills to counsel a patient
3. write or revise a procedure
4. make a clear, effective presentation
5. discuss the importance of good customer relations
6. discuss successful strategies for dealing with awkward customers / difficult people
7. discuss good distribution practice and how it affects stock control
8. discuss good manufacturing practice (GMP) and how it affects working practice
9. discuss and describe systems for ensuring efficient stock control
10.write a checklist for self-checking dispensed medication and use to maintain or improve
dispensing accuracy
11.describe the basic concept of continuing professional development (CPD) and show a
current working CPD portfolio

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 Introduction to Management

Development and training in the management of people,

resources, time & change, performance appraisal, motivation,
delegation & leadership, recruitment & selection and the
training of others
(it is advised that the facilitator for this training package is an experienced manager within the
workplace)

Objectives
Pharmacy Technicians should be able to:
1. list those skills needed to manage effectively
2. discuss how group dynamics can affect a team’s performance
3. organise their time effectively
4. discuss how to implement a change in working practice in a department
5. describe in detail the steps involved in planning a project
6. identify the skills needed for a performance appraisal
7. recognise and utilise the skills of leadership, motivation and delegation
8. participate in the recruitment and selection process
9. discuss the principles and methods for one- to- one and small group training and
evaluating learning
10.lead and facilitate group discussion

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 Information Technology

Training in computer technology, manipulating and presenting data

(it is advised that pharmacy technicians’ have a workplace facilitator for this option, usually an IT specialist)

Objectives
Pharmacy Technicians should be able to:
1. use a word processing programme
2. use a range of software applications
3. discuss ways of using information technology
4. describe appropriate methods of communicating
information using information technology

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 Managing Your Services

Training in tutoring of student pharmacy technicians, managing

sickness absence, financial awareness, recruitment & selection,
and audit
(it is advised that pharmacy technicians’ have a workplace facilitator for this Option)

Objectives
Pharmacy Technicians should be able to:
1. act as a Student Pharmacy Technician Tutor
2. discuss the NVQ, the college course and assignments required
3. measure sickness absence & calculate the cost to the organisation
4. discuss measures to reduce & manage absenteeism
5. explain how finance works in the NHS
6. discuss how to manage a local budget
7. discuss the elements of costs in providing a service or product
8. describe the steps involved in auditing a service
9. manage the recruitment and selection processes

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 Medicines Information

Training to enable pharmacy technicians to undertake medicines

information enquiries and information management tasks. All
relevant standards in the current UK Medicines Information
manual must be followed
(it is advised that pharmacy technicians’ have a workplace facilitator for this Option, usually the
Medicines Information Manager or equivalent)

Context
This option is intended to be used as a basis for training pharmacy technicians in medicines
information skills and should be used in conjunction with relevant local procedures and may
be adapted to local need. A national competency-based pharmacy technician training
programme has now been developed by the UK Medicines Information Pharmacists group.
This option will be reviewed when the national work is completed.

Objectives

Pharmacy Technicians should be able to:

1. discuss the structure and roles of medicines information locally, regionally and
nationally.
2. discuss the legal and ethical aspects of medicines information and relate these to the
situations encountered.
3. undertake enquiry handling and ascertain basic details relevant to the situation.
4. answer medicines information enquiries under the supervision of a senior medicines
information pharmacist.
5. use and maintain the information management systems employed in medicines
information and identify the strengths and weaknesses of each.

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 Mental Health

Training to enable pharmacy technicians to undertake mental

health services work
(it is advised that pharmacy technicians’ have a workplace facilitator for this option, usually a Senior
Pharmacist in Mental Health services)

Objectives

Pharmacy Technicians should be able to:

1. describe different services within mental health and how pharmacy service provision
fits in with these
2. outline the different specialties that exist within mental health
3. describe and list the different pharmacological groups of drugs used within mental
health and their uses
4. describe non-pharmacological treatments for different mental health conditions
5. discuss the use and limitations of clinical guidelines, protocols and procedures in
hospitals, mental health and other settings
6. discuss the evidence base and specialist technical knowledge required for the area of
practice
7. discuss the information required for preparation for visiting an area outside the
pharmacy department, produce a report resulting from a visit, and implement an action
plan
8. discuss the training needs and provision of training for mental health staff in relation
to pharmacy issues
9. design a training pack or talk for pharmacy or ward staff explaining what they need
to know about clozapine
10. counsel a patient starting an antidepressant, lithium, an antipsychotic and a
benzodiazepine or sleeping tablet
11. manage their time effectively
12. identify problems and take appropriate action
13. define and discuss the principles of audit

people here?

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 Primary Care and Community Health Services

Training to enable pharmacy technicians to undertake primary care and

community health services work
(it is advised that pharmacy technicians’ have a workplace facilitator for this option, usually a Senior
Pharmacist in
Primary or in Community health services)

Objectives

Pharmacy technicians should be able to:

1. discuss the role of pharmacy staff when working with health professionals, other
agencies and carers including the pharmacy technician’s role, their autonomy,
limitations, when to refer to a pharmacist or an appropriate professional, and the
communication issues involved
2. discuss the importance of patient, client and healthcare staff confidentiality
3. discuss the importance of financial confidentiality (relating to drugs, budgets etc.)
4. discuss the use and limitations of clinical guidelines, protocols and procedures in
hospitals, primary and community, and other settings
5. discuss the evidence base and specialist technical knowledge required for the area of
practice
6. discuss public health issues relevant to the area of practice e.g. immunization,
vaccination and smoking cessation
7. discuss the contribution of the role to clinical governance
8. manage their time effectively
9. identify problems and take appropriate action
10. define and discuss the principles of audit
11.describe the process of query answering and documentation within own area of
practice
12.demonstrate communication, negotiation, meeting, influencing and presentation
skills

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 Procurement

Training to carry out the procurement process in an efficient, cost effective

manner
(it is advised that pharmacy technicians’ have a facilitator for this Option)

Objectives

Pharmacy Technicians should be able to:

1. describe the different types of procurement arrangements, their advantages and
disadvantages, and how to implement and manage them (including a working knowledge
of PHAROS)
2. describe the different types of discounts available and their advantages and
disadvantages (e.g. settlement, on line, free stock)
3. discuss choices when sourcing new or alternative products, and implement all relevant
system changes
4. describe management by objectives and define Total Quality Management
5. describe a strategy for dealing with purchasing failures and usage changes
6. discuss the implications of manufacturing problems on stocking and contracts
7. discuss the implication of pricing and receipt queries on invoicing and how to resolve
these
8. describe the techniques used to accommodate company order schedules, and how to
manage these internally
9. discuss the principles involved in optimum order quantity
10.Set up optimum stock levels and methods of ordering to ensure efficient procurement of
different types of products
11.discuss the information required by stores or distribution for systems to run smoothly
12.describe the liaison required with all other specialties within the pharmacy service to
ensure efficient working relationships
13.discuss the relationship of credit control to financial statements and public sector
payment policy
14.interpret purchasing performance indicator
15.describe the principles of negotiating skills
16.utilize spreadsheets and databases to assist in the management of data

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 Quality Control

This is a supplementary, specialist option including training in theoretical

and practical aspects of QC.

(it is advised that pharmacy technicians’ have a facilitator for this Option, usually a Senior Quality
Controller)

Objectives

Pharmacy Technicians should be able to:

1. discuss the principles of Good Laboratory Practice
2. discuss the health and safety issues relating to all aspects of laboratory work, and the
controls applied to them
3. describe quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques, and their use
4. discuss the preparation and use of reagents, and their grades
5. discuss the theoretical and practical aspects of classical, physical, photometric and
chromatographic analysis techniques
6. discuss appropriate techniques of quality controlling incoming materials, in-process
samples and finished products
7. discuss the theoretical aspects of biological tests and assays
8. discuss the practical aspects of sampling techniques, and the statistical background
9. discuss the quality control of medical gases
10.describe analytical method development and validation
11.discuss methods of and reasons for calibration of instrumentation, and maintenance by
in-house and external contractors
12.describe statistical methods relevant to the laboratory situation

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 Stores Distribution

Training to carry out the distribution process in an efficient, cost effective

manner.
(it is advised that pharmacy technicians’ have a facilitator for this Option)

Objectives

Pharmacy Technicians should be able to:

1. discuss material management systems (eg top-up services)
2. discuss technological advances in distribution
3. describe storage problems and solutions, including space management, retrieval and
new/old product ranges
4. discuss wholesaler dealer’s licence, conditions, role of the “responsible person”
5. describe the role of internal and external auditors, and discuss how to satisfy their
requirements
6. describe COSHH considerations, and what distribution managers can do to meet
regulations
7. describe measures to prevent and solve stock discrepancies
8. list key performance indicators for managing a store
9. describe how the cold chain can be maintained
10.discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different layouts in stores
11.describe efficient systems for goods in, goods holding, and goods out
12.describe the different ratios involved in stock management
13.discuss how to do an annual stock take, and why it is done
14.describe the information flow necessary to run an efficient distribution service

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 Technical Services

This covers the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) relating to

the manufacture and preparation of medicinal products. It is suitable for
senior staff working in unlicensed preparative units through to large scale
licensed manufacturing units.
(it is advised that technicians’ have a workplace facilitator for this Option, usually a Senior Pharmacist
in Technical Services)

Progress & Completion

If a technician changes hospital or trust mid-way through this Option or already has evidence
of knowledge and application, they do not have to start again or repeat areas.
If a technician cannot complete a particular objective or task because the facilities or
circumstances at their hospital make it practically impossible, it will not prevent them from
completing the Option. Objectives, tasks and areas not completed, will of course be omitted
from their certificate and may be added, if completed at a later date.

Overall Objective
The overall objective of this Option is for the technician to understand the risk management
process. In order to achieve this, technicians will need to have an understanding of the
theory and knowledge set in the objectives listed below and how they are practically applied
in the technical services area.

Objectives (Theory & Background Knowledge)

Pharmacy Technicians should be able to:

1. describe the risk management associated with the processes of sterile and non-sterile
manufacture
2. discuss the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and other quality systems,
as a means of managing risk to the product
3. discuss health and safety systems as a means of managing risk to personnel and the
environment
4. discuss the differences between licensed and unlicensed units, and the implications for
working practices
5. discuss the principles of design of manufacturing facilities and equipment, including
requirements for planned preventative maintenance (PPM)
6. discuss the GMP and health and safety issues relating to raw materials and
consumables/disposables
7. discuss the differences between licensed and unlicensed products and medical devices
8. discuss how formulation and packaging can affect stability of products
9. discuss sources, control and monitoring of chemical, physical and microbial contamination
10.describe methods to identify and meet training needs, and monitor performance of staff
11.describe the principles of internal and external audit
12.discuss the principles of capacity planning
13. discuss the principles of validation and change control

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 Clinical Pharmacy & Medicines Management

Training and development to enable pharmacy technicians’ to

undertake patient-focused practice
(it is advised that pharmacy technicians’ have a workplace facilitator for this Training Pack, usually the
Clinical Services Manager or equivalent)

This Training Pack has core objectives and tasks + optional elements as all of the
objectives and tasks might not be applicable to the pharmacy technician’s organisation.

The certificate will indicate the core elements and any optional elements that have been
completed.

Core objectives

Pharmacy Technicians should be able to

1. discuss how medicines are managed outside of pharmacy
2. describe the key activities and professional relationships of pharmacy staff working
in clinical areas
3. describe the legal and policy framework for the prescribing, supply and
administration of medicines within their trust
4. describe the use of clinical guidelines and protocols in hospitals and their limitations
5. describe the principles of audit
6. discuss the importance of patient confidentiality
7. use questioning, listening and explaining skills to counsel a patient

Optional objective

• extract appropriate and relevant information from a variety of sources to clarify

medication-related issues

Test box for time saving

Test box for time saving

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 Pharmacy Technician Self Development
Programme

Acknowledgements

We welcome any comments or suggestions

Whilst evaluating and developing the Pharmacy If you have any comments or feedback relating to
Technician Self Development Programme in order to the programme please contact:
produce this April 2010 version, the people listed
below provided information, feedback or were directly Diane Blunden
consulted, canvassed or questioned about the Pharmacy Technician Training Manager & Training Specialist
programme and its content London Pharmacy Education & Training
2nd Floor
50 Eastbourne Terrace
Paddington
London
In alphabetical order: W2 6LG

Telephone: 020 7725 2723

Email: diane.blunden@chelwest.nhs.uk

Important note……………

Over the next year pharmacy services will inevitably

change and develop, as will the training and
development needs of pharmacy technicians

It is our aim to ensure that the Pharmacy Technician

Self Development Programme is evaluated and
General feedback from many Pharmacists, pharmacy updated regularly to enable pharmacy technicians
technicians and pharmacy assistants at various to identify and develop the skills required to deliver
supporting study days was also used to develop the the pharmacy services of today and the future
programme

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