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Pharmacy Support Worker Course
The Pharmacy Support Worker Course has been developed to provide a more flexible option to suit the learner’s role, where the technical modules can be chosen in “skill bundles” to create courses for niche and evolving roles in the pharmacy sector. The “skill bundles” outline the possible skills for which competency is required by the learner. This also makes it easier to tailor a course for learners transitioning to a different role.
- A flexible course providing the underpinning knowledge and skills for pharmacy practice tailored to meet the learner’s role
Related Courses
Support Staff Course for Dispensing Assistants
This course is for those requiring dispensing assistant training working in a dispensary in a patient-facing role.
Support Staff Course for Medicines Counter Assistants
This course is for those requiring medicines counter assistant training and working on the medicines counter in a pharmacy.
Support Staff Course for Pharmacy Healthcare Assistants
This course is for those working in a pharmacy in a patient-facing role, both on the medicines counter and in the dispensary.
Support Staff Course for Pharmacy Stock Management
This course is for those working in a dispensary in a stock management role.
Entry Criteria
This course is for those working a pharmacy environment with various niche roles, for example:
- Learners only involved in receiving prescriptions
- Learners only involved in assembling prescribed items, such as in assembly hubs
- Learners only involved in handing out prescriptions
- Learners whose roles do not fit into the traditional roles of dispensing, stock management or working on the medicines counter, or involve a combination of these roles
The learner will require a pharmacist or pharmacy technician to act as their workplace training supervisor during the course.
Important Information
We cannot accept applications from self-funded learners. The employer is required to support this programme.
Course Overview
This course meets the GPhC (2020) minimum requirements for the education and training of pharmacy support staff and, depending on the skill bundles selected, also the following National Occupational Standards (NOS).
All learners will complete the 2 Core Modules, which meets the National Occupational Standard of PHARM01: Assist with the provision of a pharmacy service. The Core Modules will cost a total of £32(+VAT). Please refer to the table below for the cost of each skill bundle. The total cost of your learner's course will be £32(+VAT) for the Core Modules plus the cost of the skill bundle(s) selected.
| Skill bundle and NOS | Technical modules to be completed | Online Course Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Receive prescriptions NOS: PHARM07: Receive prescriptions |
|
£27(+VAT) |
| Assemble prescribed items* NOS: PHARM09: Assemble prescribed items |
|
£97(+VAT) |
| Order, receive, maintain and supply pharmaceutical stock NOS:
|
|
£38(+VAT) |
| Assist in the issuing of prescribed items NOS: PHARM32: Assist in the issuing of prescribed items |
|
£27(+VAT) |
| Provide advice on non-prescribed medicines and products NOS: PHARM04: Provide advice on non-prescribed medicines and products |
|
£54(+VAT) |
*Please note that for the assemble prescribed items skill bundle, you will also need to select the skill bundle for order, receive, maintain and supply pharmaceutical stock, in order for your learner to develop sufficient knowledge and skills in stock management for safe dispensing. Please contact Buttercups Training if your learner already has prior experience in stock management and you wish to select the assemble prescribed items skill bundle.
Core modules only need to be completed once per learner. Where the learner has completed the core modules, only the technical modules are required.
How is the Course Delivered?
All our courses are delivered by blended learning, via the b-Hive learning system. All learners need to complete the 2 mandatory Core Modules, plus the Technical Modules relevant to their roles as outlined in the skill bundles selected at enrolment. There are end-of-module quizzes to assess knowledge, Virtual PharmacyTM scenarios to assess competence, activity books and witness testimonies to be signed off by the workplace training supervisor and Final Tests administered under exam conditions.
Support
As well as online access to results and our FAQ section, learners can talk to dedicated tutors year-round, including at evenings and weekends, via our out-of-hours helpline. In addition, learners are supported throughout their course by a workplace training supervisor who is nominated at enrolment to review and invigilate work-based activities and assessments, ensuring the learner is competent in the workplace.
To aid them in this role, the workplace training supervisor will complete a workplace training supervisor course on the b-Hive, to provide them with support and resources to guide and assess their learner(s). They will have access to the b-Hive Learner Analytics dashboard through which they can easily filter and view the progress and expected progress of their learner(s). The dashboard will display real-time data to provide a snapshot of whether a learner is on target or requires further support on a particular area of the course.
Course Features
Online learning on any device allowing learners to study at home, work or on the go
Interactive quizzes and content throughout the course
Print friendly - our online courses are optimised for printing, even allowing completion of interactive content using QR codes on a smartphone
Accessibility mode enabling those with additional needs to work through the course online
Online end of module tests with instant feedback
Final Tests in our online Test Zone
Real-time course tracking in b-Hive Analytics for the training supervisor
Course Content
Provides an introduction to working in a pharmacy environment. This module covers the key responsibilities with regards to health and safety, SOPs, laws and regulations including information governance, and safeguarding the public including whistleblowing. Learners will be introduced to the requirements of learning and development, and its importance in delivering high quality care to patients.
Learners will understand the roles of the pharmacy team, including the wider multidisciplinary team, and the importance of teamwork, and be introduced to effective communication and customer service. Learners will be introduced to the concept of person-centred care and the communication skills required to deliver high quality care to patients.
This module teaches the knowledge and skills required to accept prescriptions presented to the dispensary and interpret the information on the prescription to ensure it is ready for dispensing.
This module introduces dispensary equipment, resources, calculations and abbreviations which underpin the dispensing processes required to dispense or label prescription items.
This module covers the practical processes and skills required to safely and hygienically dispense a prescription, including the checks each prescription will undergo.
Learners will understand how to order, receive, maintain and supply pharmaceutical stock, along with any administrative tasks associated with these processes.
This module focuses on the additional legislation and procedures required for handling and dispensing controlled drugs safely.
This module teaches the knowledge and skills required to understand the role of the dispensing assistant in issuing prescriptions to patients and communicating effectively with patients regarding their dispensed medicines.
This module introduces the concept of clinical governance within dispensaries, including error monitoring, error reduction, audits, information governance and quality payments.
This module explores the services offered by pharmacies and other healthcare providers, to improve patient access to medicines, screening services and advice, and how the dispensing assistant can support the wider team with this.
This module focuses on the considerations for selling over the counter medicines and providing healthcare advice, including protocols for questioning customers at the medicines counter, the misuse and abuse of over the counter medicines.
This module is about pain, outlining the common minor ailments causing it, along with drug treatments available to treat it.
This module covers coughs and colds, their symptoms, treatments, the questions to ask and advice you should be giving, as well as reasons to refer.
This module covers gastrointestinal problems, their symptoms, treatments, the questions to ask and advice that should be given, as well as reasons to refer.
This module covers the medicines required by travellers, both to treat and prevent disease.
This module is about problems of the ears, eyes and mouth, their symptoms, treatments, the questions to ask and advice that should be given, as well as reasons to refer.
This module is about problems associated with skin, hair and feet, their symptoms, treatments, the questions to ask and advice that should be given, as well as reasons to refer.
This module covers some minor ailments suffered by specific genders, how to treat them effectively and when to refer.
The medicines counter assistant has an important role to play in promoting wellbeing and healthy lifestyles to the public. This module covers some of the healthy messages and advice that should be given to patients.