What are Pharmacy Services?
The role of Pharmacy in NHS Lothian is to ensure patients get the best out of their medicines in various settings across single-system pharmacies. You may be involved in many aspects of the medicines journey of procuring and supplying, assembling medicine in many forms, from oral medication to complex intravenous chemotherapy preparations. You may be responsible for supporting patients by educating them on how best to take their medicine to ensure they get the best out of them or working alongside a pharmacist or qualified pharmacy technician to ensure any amendments to a patient’s medicines are appropriate for their medical condition.
Pharmacy Technician Role:
Pharmacy Technicians are highly trained individuals responsible for checking dispensed medicines’ final accuracy. In this role, a pharmacy technician will be more involved in the procurement of medicine, preparation, and dispensing of medicine to ensure a robust supply chain. You may be involved in reviews of medications taken by patients, where you may signpost via referral pathways to the appropriate healthcare professional.
What is the Technical Apprenticeship in Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician Programme?
This pharmacy route could be for you? Enjoy science and have the ambition to develop yourself in a healthcare profession. This education pathway has the potential to allow you to develop your career to become a registered professional with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a Pharmacy Technician.
The programme runs over 2 years in which apprentices will complete a Diploma in Pharmacy Services SCQF Level 8, including completion of SVQ Pharmacy Services (SCQF L8) and Personal Development Award in Pharmacy Services (SCQF L7). Education and training will be delivered in a blended approach with study leave provided to attend college-led sessions and evidence your learning in the workplace.
Want to hear more about this pathway? Check out this video below:
Interested in applying
To be considered for the Technical Apprenticeship programme, candidates must hold either a National 5 grade C or above in Biology, Maths, English & Chemistry OR English and Applied Science (Biology or Chemistry) OR have completed one of the following access qualifications –
- National Certificate in Pharmacy Services or equivalent
- Routes to Career in Pharmacy SCQF Level 6 (up to June 2024) Edinburgh College
- Preparation for clinical practice SCQF Level 6 (from August 2024) Edinburgh College
- Modern Apprenticeship – Pharmacy Services SCQF Level 6 with underpinning knowledge – Fife College
Please note: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7 across all 4 areas at one sitting* or equivalent (if English is not first language) is required prior to commencing apprenticeship post – this is essential for registration with GPhC
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