Apprenticeship training course

Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)

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Information about Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)

Supporting the delivery of pharmacy services.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • dispensing procedures, and practices
  • the different types of prescriptions
  • how to complete pharmacy calculations, eg the number of tablets or volume of liquid to be supplied.
  • different weights and measures eg grams, kilograms, millilitres to litres
  • doses and forms of medicines
  • issues that may affect how medicines are taken
  • the documentation relating to administration, supply and methods of medicines distribution support
  • the management of medicines and the supply chain
  • the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy and healthcare team
  • how to follow standards and codes of conduct, as well as work within the limitations of your role
  • the requirements and rationale behind Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • how to work in the patients’ best interest, with other people, both inside and external to the organisation
  • where to go for help and advice about anything to do with work
  • the importance of personal development and how to reflect on your work
  • why it is important to communicate effectively at work; how to communicate with individuals who have specific language needs or wishes; ways to make yourself understood; how to reduce problems with communication
  • legislation, policies and local ways of working and handling information; how to keep information confidential; why it is important to record and store patient information securely and what to do if you think information is not secure
  • application of relevant systems used in Pharmacy Practice and the restrictions and values around the use of social media
  • what it means to give ‘person centred care and support’ and give people choices about their care
  • why it is important to gain consent
  • why it is important to get people actively involved in their own health and care
  • the importance of treating people as valuable and unique individuals
  • how to promote healthy lifestyles, such as the importance of healthy eating, regular exercise and reducing health risks such as alcohol consumption and smoking.
  • how health inequalities affect different parts of society
  • the other organisations which can support the wellbeing of a patient
  • how to identify risks and hazards in a workplace environment
  • what appropriate action should be taken in response to incidents or emergencies following local guidelines

  Skills

  • receive and log prescriptions
  • assemble prescribed items, undertake an in-process accuracy check and issue prescribed items
  • work according to legislative requirements, and organisational policies
  • order, receive, maintain and issue pharmaceutical stock
  • provide appropriate advice when authorised on supplied medicines and products, their storage and disposal
  • work within the parameters of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the pharmacy
  • act in accordance with systems and organisational governance
  • recognise and act within the pharmacy regulatory, legal and ethical standards
  • support the team in the development of others
  • maintain and further develop your own skills and knowledge through development activities; maintain evidence of your personal development and actively prepare for and participate in appraisal
  • communicate effectively with the public, carers and other health and social care professionals using a range of techniques to determine their needs, and keep information confidential
  • handle information (record, report and store information) related to individuals and/or patients in line with local and national policies
  • use pharmacy IT systems and other IT resources according to legislative requirements and organisational policies
  • demonstrate person centred care and support within a pharmacy setting
  • make pharmacy patients and patient safety your first concern
  • use judgement and refer service user as appropriate to another member of the team, GP, healthcare worker, manufacturer etc
  • maintain the interests of patients and the health of the public
  • promote and advocate equality, diversity and inclusion
  • promote healthy lifestyles to customers
  • work safely within the parameters of your role using Standard Operating Procedures
  • apply policies which relate to health and safety at work
  • act appropriately in situations to prevent harm to yourself and others

  Behaviours

  • Be trustworthy and honest, respectful and caring
  • Act with integrity and fair conduct, have the courage to say when something is wrong
  • Be a reliable and capable member of the workforce and recognise your own value and that of your team
  • Display effective interpersonal skills
  • Respect patients’ values
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Health and science
• Qualification level: 2; Equal to GCSE
• Course duration: 12 months
• Maximum funding: £5,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.

View more information about Pharmacy services assistant (level 2) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.