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The GP Pharmacy Technician Training Programme was developed in collaboration between HEE Wessex Primary Care Training Hub and Pharmacy Workforce Development South and piloted in 2019.
The programme is a competency based framework designed specifically to meet the training and learning needs of pharmacy technicians working in primary care supporting general practice. The programme provides assessment of competence across a variety of tasks and holistic practice and delivers the underpinning knowledge to support these tasks. The programme supports the pharmacy technician to demonstrate that they can safely deploy the knowledge; skills and behaviours required for safe practice relevant to their role and provides the assurance needed for safe delegation of tasks and practice autonomy for the pharmacy technician.
PWDS has aligned the GP Pharmacy Technician Training Programme to the APTUK/PCPA National Competency Framework (NCF) for Primary Care Pharmacy Technicians in recognition of the importance of this framework in supporting the support safe practice and professionalism in primary care. The framework informs the education and training requirements and further the professional development of pharmacy technicians working in primary care. The GPPT programme has been formally approved by APTUK as meeting the requirements of this nationally recognised framework.
The programme offers structured medicines optimisation training and assessment for pharmacy technicians working in primary care roles supporting GP practices.
Entry Criteria:
Note: Pharmacy technicians who have completed or are registered on CPPE’s Primary care pharmacy education pathway (PCPEP) were not eligible for funded places on the GP Pharmacy Technician Training Programme.
The programme comprises of 4 Modules. The units within these models deliver the building of 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 structure facilitates the development of additional modules to reflect the developing role and training needs of primary care pharmacy technicians in the future.
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.
The training and assessment programme consists of 4 modules delivered over a 14 month pathway
Module 1
Module 2:
Module 3:
Module 4:
Each module has its own learning pathway that supports the trainee to complete all of the necessary underpinning knowledge and evidence collection to achieve formal sign off and certification.
Underpinning knowledge to support development of competence is delivered by;
Self-directed and in house learning:
Virtual study events (facilitated by PWDS):
Further details can be found at the FAQs here
Our trainees say:
‘The GP Pharmacy Technician Medicines Optimisation Programme covers everything a Pharmacy Technician working in General Practice would need in their day-to-day role. We are now able to prove that we are competent in the tasks that are expected of us and have learnt best practices and ways of approaching tasks we hadn’t previously considered. The layout of the course encourages completion of tasks in a realistic and holistic way which allowed for efficient evidence collection. The course leaders are approachable and accommodating in their support to trainees individual needs. We now feel as though we are better Primary Care Pharmacy Technicians because of this course’ HS & CS
Virtual Induction Day
Virtual Programme Development Events
Trainees undertaking the programme MUST attend all of these scheduled events
Demonstration of competence is achieved through local practical skills evidence collection and using the following assessment methods:
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
The development of a National Competency Framework (NCF) for Primary Care Pharmacy Technicians has been led by APTUK in collaboration with the Primary Care Pharmacy Association (PCPA). The framework provides a set of standard core competencies that underpin the knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes required for pharmacy technicians working in and across primary care roles. It is designed to support the safe practice and professionalism required to meet a portfolio of roles across primary care, not limiting to one particular area of practice. It also informs the education and training requirements and provides a basis to further the professional development of pharmacy technicians working in these roles. The framework can be found here: APTUK/PCPA National Competency Framework for Primary Care Pharmacy Technicians
To understand the role and training needs of a GP pharmacy technician (GPPTs), HEE Wessex CEPN collaborated with PWDS to design a learning needs analysis. Read more about the results of this survey here: https://primarycaredorset.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/GP-Pharmacy-Technician-Role-Learning-Needs-Report-2018.pdf
The Association of Pharmacy Technicians United Kingdom (APTUK) is the national professional leadership body for pharmacy technicians working in all pharmacy sectors across all countries in the UK: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. APTUK work on behalf of pharmacy technicians securing and advocating the pharmacy technician profession and advancing the professions education and scope of practice. Further details regarding APTUK can be found at the website here: https://www.aptuk.org/
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