The GP Pharmacy Technician Training Programme was originally developed through collaboration between HEE Wessex Primary Care Training Hub and Pharmacy Workforce Development South and successfully piloted in 2019. Since its inception, the role of pharmacy technicians within primary care has continued to expand, requiring greater clinical contribution, professional autonomy, and integration within multidisciplinary teams. This updated programme reflects the progression of the role and the increasing complexity of care delivered within general practice.
This is a competency-based programme designed to support pharmacy technicians in delivering high-quality, complex care within primary care settings. It enables learners to develop and apply enhanced clinical judgement, knowledge, and technical skills to support medicines optimisation, patient safety, and service delivery. Through structured learning, workplace-based development, and robust assessment, pharmacy technicians are supported to work with increased confidence, accountability, and autonomy while contributing proactively to person-centred, evidence-based care and improved patient outcomes.
Aligned to the APTUK/PCPA National Competency Framework for Primary Care Pharmacy Technicians, the programme supports both safe practice and ongoing professional development. It provides assurance that pharmacy technicians are equipped to undertake delegated responsibilities, participate in clinical decision-making, and operate effectively within multidisciplinary teams. The programme has been formally approved by APTUK as meeting the requirements of this nationally recognised framework, reinforcing its role in preparing pharmacy technicians for contemporary and future practice in primary care.
*Each learner must be supported by ONE designated Educational Supervisor (ES) based within their organisation. To ensure high-quality clinical oversight, the ES must be:
Eligible qualifications for a Pharmacy Technician ES include:
The ES must have sufficient capacity to observe the learner’s practice, provide regular feedback, and formally sign off clinical competencies throughout the duration of the programme.
Note on eligibility: If you or your proposed educational supervisor do not strictly meet the criteria listed above but believe you have equivalent qualifications or experience, please contact the Training Programme Director Victoria DiMartino, at victoria.dimartino@uhbw.nhs.uk for a formal discussion regarding your suitability for the programme.
The programme comprises of 6 units, each which introduces and builds on knowledge, skills and behaviours that contribute to the skill set necessary to meet safe and effective practice for pharmacy technician working in primary care.
The programme also assesses competency in tasks known to be appropriate to pharmacy technician practice in primary care. These competency based assessments are included in the assessment strategy to ensure that the pharmacy technician can demonstrate safe, accurate and competent practice in these particular tasks and provides the assurance needed for independent practice. The programme structure offers the opportunity to select the competencies that are relevant to the individuals practice.
Establish your professional boundaries by defining your Scope of Practice and ensuring alignment with the GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals and the principles of medicines optimisation. Gain a necessary contextual understanding of the practice environment, including key NHS strategic documents like the NHS Long Term Plan.
Improve your understanding and application of clinical knowledge, focusing specifically on high-risk and complex medication management scenarios. You will learn to:
You will actively support processes to reduce medication-related harm, engaging with patient safety alerts and procedures for the safe and secure handling of medicines. Module 4 focuses on high-level patient interaction, requiring a minimum of two observations of practice undertaking patient consultation. Key communication skills include:
understanding the pharmacy technician’s role in supporting effective consultations.
Become proficient in managing medication queries by accurately responding to medication related queries using appropriate and reliable information sources.
This module will support you to:
The aim of Module 6 is to equip the trainee to understand, contribute to, and lead quality improvement (QI) and audit processes within the primary care setting.
This module supports:
12-month blended learning programme combining:
The programme includes 2 half-day virtual Practice Development Days (PDDs).
Topics included:
Answers to most common applications for each stage of the Programme process can be found on our dedicated Frequently Asked Questions page and is usually the quickest and easiest way to resolve most enquiries.
Please ensure you check this page before submitting a contact enquiry.
For general enquiries or in case of Programme Director absence:
Email: pwds@uhbw.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0117 342 6677
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In order to complete your application you will need:
* A Purchase Order (PO) Number and digital copy of the FULL PO document, including invoicing details to upload (you can find details about POs in the frequently asked questions section of the programme page)
* Your educational supervisor details including email address.
Please check the entry requirements of the programme carefully before application. If you have any questions please get in touch with the Training Programme Director.
