Candidates must be working in a dispensary for the two year duration of the course (minimum number of hours applies for apprentices). The candidate should be someone showing a keen interest in professional development and a willingness to accept responsibility for a more senior role. The qualified senior dispenser will be able to dispense medicines and pharmaceutical products, reflect on and develop their practice, undertake an in-process accuracy check and give pharmaceutical information and advice. They will be able to assist with validation of prescriptions and the counselling of patients.
What qualification is delivered?
Level 3 Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills (NVQ) (QCF).
Duration
This course must be undertaken alongside an approved underpinning knowledge programme, and is usually undertaken alongside the Level 3 Technical Certificate over a duration of two years.
How is the course delivered?
All Buttercups courses are delivered by distance learning. This course benefits from a dedicated website where candidates with internet access can download the course support materials, along with additional support material.
The assignments require written accounts of work based activities to be witnessed by a workplace pharmacist or senior pharmacy technician. If none is available provision will be made by Buttercups. For more information on the responsibilities of the Expert Witness, please see our website. Buttercups has an optional e-portfolio method of evidence collection, significantly reducing the paperwork involved.
How will this course benefit my practice?
These staff are in an ideal place to promote concordance and adherence, assist in the advice given to patients (particularly in the management of chronic conditions) and reduce waste. Their knowledge of drugs, actions and side effects will enable them to make more effective contributions to DRUM.
How much does it cost?
Paper based: £875.00 (Ex VAT)* - PSUK Price £787.50 (ex VAT)*
Online course: £875.00 (Ex VAT)* - PSUK Price £785.50 (Ex VAT)*.
Prices indicated are payable each year of the two year course.
Funding
Advanced Apprenticeship funding for the Level 3 course is available, which could reduce the fee to an employer contribution of £770 + VAT for the full course for eligible candidates aged 19 or over.
There would be no fee for eligible candidates aged 16-18. The Apprenticeship programme includes the delivery, competence checks and literacy and numeracy qualifications.
Candidates must meet the Skills Funding Agency eligibility criteria. Candidates must have either been a resident in the United Kingdom and islands for three years prior to enrolment, or have been a national of a European Union member state for three years.
Candidates cannot be in full time education, and must be aged 16 years or older.
Unfortunately, anybody who has obtained a higher education qualification at Level 4 or above, including a first degree by a recognised university or institution, is ineligibile for Apprenticeship funding.
Enrolment
To obtain an enrolment pack for this course please visit the Buttercups website at www.buttercups.co.uk.
Support
Access your course 24 hours a day, get real tutor feedback on your work, easily follow your progress online and concentrate on the skills you want to improve most. Candidates can also talk to dedicated tutors 24/7.
Registration as a pharmacy technician
Please note that registration as a pharmacy technician with the GPhC is dependent upon the relevant two year work experience in a pharmacy under pharmacist supervision. If this is not possible, then the candidate must not be known as a pharmacy technician on completion, but rather a senior dispenser or similar title.