EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES TO SUPPORT ADVANCED AND EXTENDED ROLES FOR PHARMACY TECHNICIANS

South West Medicines Information and Training EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES TO SUPPORT ADVANCED AND EXTENDED ROLES FOR PHARMACY TECHNICIANS South West Medicines Information & Training Bristol Royal Infirmary Marlborough Street BRISTOL BS2 8HW Tel. 0117 342 3543 Email: SWPharmacy.Training@UHBristol.nhs.uk 1

Review paper and signposting document for pharmacy technician training programmes Chief Pharmacists Education Working Group 2008 Introduction This paper reviews current training (Table 1) offered to qualified pharmacy technicians by South West Medicines Information and Training (SWMIT) and proposes a signposting document for pharmacy technicians to access available training provision (not currently provided by SWMIT) delivered by both NHS and non NHS providers (Table 4). There are full details of CPPE modules and MedsLearning modules in tables 5 & 6 that would be useful specifically for basic clinical pharmacy technician training and links to other training/courses available in table 7. There are also several foundation degree programmes available, the details of which are not included in this paper. The rationale behind reviewing training delivered by SWMIT and developing a signposting document is to, ensure that pharmacy technicians within specific job roles have the training and understanding to deliver a high quality services ensuring patient safety. to deliver the National Institute for Clinical Excellence/ National Patient Safety Agency guidance for medicines reconciliation of patient s medicines on admission. to develop the pharmacy technician role and support NHS organisations in meeting admission and discharge targets. to ensure there is support for pharmacy technicians where new job roles are created, e.g. performing specific clinical roles, developing specific patient counselling skills, development of new ward based functions. to ensure skills are developed ready for extended opening hours/seven day working and to develop skill mix, patient safety and pharmacy services to complement the full patient experience. This paper is designed to be a review paper that provides an easy guide to available training alongside current pharmacy technician job roles (Table 4) and Agenda for Change banding (Table 2), which in turn may be applied to the Knowledge and Skills Framework locally. All individual training needs should be assessed and identified through personal appraisal. Current training offered by SWMIT The current programmes (Table1) were all developed in response to government initiatives, audit commission reports and service development. Service strategy is evolving and a number of gaps in training provision delivered by SWMIT have been highlighted through recent evaluation i.e. developing clinical roles. A number of these gaps can be filled through readily available resources. Some of the resources such as MedsLearning (Table 6) may need some adaptation and/or support from SWMIT. 2

Current Training Provided by SWMIT for s South West Final Accuracy Checking ACT: A two day induction programme and summative assessment for pharmacy technicians based in the dispensary setting carrying out final accuracy checking clinically screen prescriptions. South West Medicines Management Scheme for s MMT: A two day induction programme and summative assessment for pharmacy technicians based in a ward or near patient environment (including, assessment of patients own medicines, supply of non stocks, one stop dispensing and medication history taking). South West Pre and In Process Checking for Technical Services Staff: A two day induction programme and summative assessment for all staff based within an un licensed aseptic services environment. (with final checking for technical services soon to be implemented) Format for SWMIT Training Programmes pre course work one or two training day(s) evidence collection either carried out on the training day or back at base learning evaluation carried out by SWMIT in the form of an assessment/interview/portfolio assessment. Introduction to Patient Counselling Skills: A full day training programme aimed at pharmacy technicians of all grades, although assessment carried out at the end of the day can be used for NVQ level 3 pharmacy services evidence. Mentor training: A full day training programme aimed at all members of the pharmacy team who may be in a mentorship role for one of the technician development schemes or pre registration pharmacist or pharmacy technician trainee mentor and assessor. A1 assessor training: A full day training programme aimed at pharmacy technicians and pharmacists who will be carrying out an NVQ assessor role, support and assessment is provided by SWMIT during the training period and portfolio build. Table 1 3

National Agenda for Change Profiles for Pharmacy Band Band 2/3 Pre Registration Trainee Technician Profile Label Job statement Table 2 Pharmacy Support Worker / higher level 1. Undertakes duties in support of Pharmacists e.g. packing & supply of drugs and medicines to wards & departments, production of sterile & other products, including chemotherapy products. 2. Undertakes clerical duties 3. Carries out reception duties in pharmacy, including handing over medication to patients. 4. Trains, supervises work of pharmacy support workers Band 4 Band 5 Band 6 Band 7 Band 8a and above 1. Dispenses and issues prescriptions; undertakes duties in relation ton to the manufacture of pharmacy products 2. Provides straightforward advice to patients/carers on pharmaceutical products and further supplies 3. Supervises, trains, coaches pharmacy support workers, pre registration trainee technicians Higher Level (Pharmacy) 1. Dispenses and issues prescriptions 2. Provides straightforward advice to patients/carers on pharmaceutical products and further supplies 3. Undertakes day to day supervision of pharmacy technicians, support workers 4. May hold accreditation for checking dispensed prescriptions of others 4 Specialist 1. Provides and coordinates technical pharmacy services to a specialist area or service 2. Trains and assesses technical support staff, may manage team or service 3. Checks dispensed prescriptions, pharmaceutical production Team Manager 1. Manages the provision of a technical pharmacy service 2. Managers staff, resources, activity and information 3. May develop specialist technical services within the pharmacy department No profile as yet (Aug 08)

Suggested Career Pathway and roles for s (South West) Band 2/3 Pre Registration Trainee Technician Band 4 Band 5 Band 6 Band 7 Band 8a and above BTEC/NVQ3 entry Pharmacy support worker higher level Pharmacy technician Pharmacy Technician Higher Specialist Team Manager Dispensary Duties Dispensary Management Secondary education Further Education Higher Education Occupational Experience (ATO/sATO) Ward Based Medicines Management Work MMT Lead Technical Services TS Lead Distribution Duties Distribution Lead Medicines Information Clinical Trials Work Clinical Trials Supply Lead QA Duties QA Lead IA IV Education Lead Specialist clinical roles e.g. mental health Procurement Procurement Lead Chief pharmacy technician/ Operation manager Table 3 NB: These bandings are illustrative only. The banding of specific jobs depends on local responsibilities and duties and is a matter for local decision. 5

job roles (South West) Dispensary pharmacy technician Dispensary Manager Ward based pharmacy technician Medicines Management lead pharmacy technician Technical services pharmacy technician Technical services lead technician Training provision SWMIT Pt counselling ACT ACT Mentor Training MMT Pt counselling MMT/ACT Mentor training Pre & In process checking Final checking Pre & In process checking Final checking 6 OTHER ** CPPE learning programmes MORPETH / In house HR training/derby diploma/various management courses (ILM) Leeds MMT modules Distribution pharmacy technician In house training MORPETH / Derby Diploma Leeds MMT Modules/ In house HR training / ILM Leeds APDM course Bath Level I & II Distribution lead technician In house HR training/ilm Medicines information technician Derby Diploma/UKMI Course Leeds APDM course/ In house HR training/ilm/bath Level I & II Clinical trials pharmacy technician ACT UK Clinical Research Network pharmacy clinical trials courses Clinical trials supply lead ACT UK Clinical Research Network pharmacy clinical trials courses QA pharmacy technician Leeds APDM course QA lead technician Leeds PTQA course A1/IV Education pharmacy technician Specialist clinical roles e.g. mental health A1* Mentor training V1/City & Guild Teaching certificates/nvq L4 Leeds MMT Modules Derby diploma Procurement pharmacy technician NHS / AZ PPE online procurement training modules Procurement technician lead NHS / AZ PPE online procurement training modules MORPETH / Derby Diploma Chief pharmacy technician/operations manager Leeds MMT Modules/ In house HR training / ILM Table 4 * A1 training covers all areas and job roles ** CPPE learning programmes cover all areas and job role

Signposting The following tables (5 & 6) of resources are not exhaustive and as seen in table 4, there are several other NHS and non NHS training providers offering support to pharmacy technician roles in the form of day courses through to foundation degree programmes. This training provision delivered may be accessed through professional registration, online and CD ROM and in workshop/workbook approach. CPPE programmes CPPE offer different types of learning programmes for both registered pharmacy technicians and pharmacists to suit different learning styles. The programmes are offered as, Open learning programmes printed books/cd ROM/Downloadable PDF format CPPE event workshop and focal point format Learning @ Lunch Hospital Pharmacy Teams learning in relation to specific clinical areas with the aid of CPPE booklets e assessment and e learning interactive activities and assessment CPPE categories CPPE 1 Core learning, builds on limited knowledge. Some background reading may be required. CPPE 2 Application of knowledge, assumes prior learning. CPPE 3 Supporting specialist areas of clinical pharmacy. We may not be the provider and will signpost you to other learning providers. Programmes open to registered pharmacy technicians Hours of study/estimated duration (SH, study hours. ED, Estimated duration) 7 CPPE learning programme Anticoagulation: managing patients, prescribing and problems 6 SH open Learning 2 Anticoagulants: supporting patients and ensuring safety 1 ED e assessment 1 assessment Arrhythmias: Rates, rhythms and treatment strategies 5 SH e learning/e assessment 2 Stable angina 4 SH Learning @ lunch 2 Neurological disorders, evidence based management of. 12 SH open Learning 1 Adolescent Health 8 ST open Learning/e assessment 1 Child Health: Saturday Paediatrics 4 ST Learning @ lunch 2 Child Health: Working with the National Service Framework (NSF) for children, young people and maternity services 24 SH open Learning 2 CPPE Category

Child Protection : A guide for the pharmacy team 1.5 SH open Learning 1 Safe guarding and child protection assessment 1 SH e assessment 1 New contractual framework : clinical effectiveness, audit and 7.5 SH open Learning 1 record keeping Risk management: it s a risk 10 SH open Learning 1 Concordance 10.5 SH open Learning 1 NHS repeat dispensing 3 SH open Learning 1 Patient group direction (PGD) : Developing, implementing and 5 SH open Learning/ e assessment 1 using them safely Diabetes : Evidence based management 10 SH open Learning 1 Diabetes Mellitus : TYPE 1 4SH Learning @ lunch 2 Diabetes Mellitus : TYPE 2 4 SH Learning @ lunch 2 Endocrine disorders: in relation to pharmacy practice 10 12 SH open Learning/ e assessment 1 Contraception 12 SH open Learning/ e assessment 1 Dealing with difficult discussions 8SH open Learning 1 Sexual Health: testing and treating 8 SH open Learning/ e assessment 1 Dyspepsia, an evidence based approach 10 SH open Learning 1 Gastrointestinal disease, management of lower 12 SH open Learning 1 Antibacterials 4 SH Learning @ lunch 2 Antibiotics and their role in managing infections 10 12 SH open Learning/ e assessment 2 Avoiding antibiotic resistance: the role of the pharmacy team 6 8 SH open Learning/ e assessment 1 Influenza Module 1: Understanding the disease 3 SH open Learning 1 Influenza Module 2: planning your response to a pandemic 4 6 SH open Learning 1 Complementary medicines and therapies 8 SH open Learning 1 Patients, medicines and the pharmacy technician: a guide to 12 SH open Learning 1 medication review Mental health module 1: schizophrenia and depression 4.5 SH Learning @ lunch 2 Minor ailments services: pharmacy technicians leading the way 7.5 SH open Learning 1 Minor ailment s: a clinical approach assessment 40 minutes e assessment 1 Responding to minor ailments 8 SH open Learning 1 Musculoskeletal disorders 6 SH open Learning 1 Nutrition 8 SH open Learning 1 Weight management 10 SH open Learning/ e assessment 1 Supporting care homes 7 SH open Learning/ e assessment 1 8

Pharmaceutical care of the eye 8 SH open Learning/ e assessment 1 Palliative care 10 SH open Learning 1 Palliative care module 1 : pain 4..5 SH pre module Learning @ lunch 2 Palliative car module 2: nausea, vomiting and constipation Pharmacogenetics: genetic approaches to therapy 5 SH e learning 1 Choosing health through pharmacy 4 SH e learning 1 Stop smoking 8 SH open Learning/ e assessment 1 Stop smoking 4.5 SH e learning 2 Allergy: manifestations and management 10 SH Learning @ lunch 2 Asthma and payment by results 4.5SH open Learning/ e assessment 2 Skin conditions, the management and treatment of 10 SH Learning @ lunch 1 Wound management 12 SH open Learning 1 Substance use and misuse: fundamentals and practicalities for 6 SH open Learning 1 the pharmacy technician Substance use and misuse 4 SH Learning @ lunch 1 Table 5 Leeds University Medicines Management Modules MedsLearning Leeds University has developed a set of medicines management modules based on the South West MMT scheme but increasing the quantity of modules to include among others some basic clinical skills training (Table 6). The MedsLearning modules would be managed by SWMIT and available free of charge to South West pharmacy technicians wishing to use them as required. MedsLearning may benefit from additional training days that SWMIT could facilitate in the same way that Leeds University support Yorkshire based pharmacy technicians if required. Stage 1: Introduction For Technicians / SATOs /Pre Regs new to medicines management Stage 2: Core Key skills and activities within a medicines management technician role Stage 3: Advanced Experienced Technicians with enhanced responsibilities/lead roles. 9

Introductory 1 Introduction to ward/clinical environments Introductory 2 Communications in clinical environments Introductory 3 Pharmacy Calculations Optional Workbook 1 Assessment of patient's own medicines Optional Workbook 2 Managing the supply of non stock medicines Optional Workbook 3 Managing the supply of 'one stop' dispensing Optional Workbook 4 Patient counselling & consultation skills Optional Workbook 5 Inhaled Therapy Optional Workbook 6 Transcribing Optional Workbook 7 Anticoagulation Optional Workbook 8 Medication History Taking Optional Workbook 9 Working across the Primary: Secondary Care interface Optional Workbook 10 Substance Users Supervised Administration/Needle Exchange Optional Module 11 Assessment for self medication Optional Module 12 Mentoring trainees Table 6 10

Links to other courses available: Course MORPETH Management for s Derby Clinical Diploma Derby Aseptic Diploma ILM Leeds APDM UKMI V1/A1 City and Guilds Further Education Teaching (7407) NVQ Level 4 Learning and Development AZ PPE online Training UK Clinical Research Network pharmacy clinical trials Table 7 Website address www.waypointers.co.uk/technicians/index.html www.derby.ac.uk/clinical pharmacy technicians btec professional diploma www.derby.ac.uk/aseptic services btec professional diploma www.i l m.com/ www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/cpd/apdm.shtml www.ukmi.nhs.uk www.swmit.nhs.uk www.cityandguilds.com www.cityandguilds.com/documents/ind_sport/7318 l4 ld candidate guidance.pdf www.azppe.com/ www.ukcrn.org.uk/index/training/courses/governance/gcp_pharmacy.html For more information on any of the training programmes within this document please contact, Sally.Kemp@UHBristol.nhs.uk or Ellen.Bidwell@UHBristol.nhs.uk or Karen.nash@UHBristol.nhs.uk 11