NHS England (NHSE) is fully funding 80 accuracy checking pharmacy technician programme places, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) announced yesterday (August 5).
“Up to 10 funded places” on the three-to-twelve-month “training and development programme” will be available per month, CPE said.
“Funding will end when all 80 places have been allocated or by the end of March 2025,” it added.
Read more: Pharmacy technicians added to NHS flu jab PGD in professional first
The Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE), which is running the training, told C+D today (August 6) that at least 50% of the funding has been allocated for community pharmacy but pharmacy technicians from other sectors can also apply.
CPPE said that the course costs “£330 including VAT” for those “not eligible for an NHSE-funded place”.
This “can be paid by either you or your employer”, it added.
Applications for the free places are “now open” online, CPE said.
Entry criteria
The CPPE said that the course will help pharmacy technicians “to be able to accurately check dispensed items and provide leadership within the dispensary”.
“Trainees will learn how to supervise the work of others and contribute to their learning following identification of dispensing errors,” it added.
They “will also learn how to exercise their professional judgment to make decisions and prioritise work”, it said.
Read more: Pharmacy technicians allowed to supply drugs under PGDs from this month
The CPPE added that prospective candidates must “be registered as a pharmacy technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)” and “work in a dispensary that dispenses NHS prescriptions that have been clinically screened by a pharmacist”.
Trainees must also “successfully complete” CPPE’s “introductory e-learning and e-assessment” before applying, it said.
See the full list of entry criteria here.
Read more: ‘Landmark’ first pharmacy technician PGD day hailed by profession
Meanwhile, NHSE last month added pharmacy technicians to the community pharmacy influenza vaccination patient group direction (PGD).
According to the PGD, pharmacy technicians must fulfil its “additional requirements” including receiving “appropriate” training and being authorised by name before being allowed to work under it.
And in June, C+D broke the news that the legislative amendments permitting pharmacy technicians to supply and administer prescription drugs under PGDs would come into force on June 26, after being pushed through in a pre-election wash-up.
