Pharmacy Services Assistant

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

Knowledge

Dispensing and supply of medicines and medicinal products

• 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

Team work

• 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 

Communication, pharmacy law and ethics

• 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

Person-centred care

• 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

Health and safety in the workplace

• 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

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

Entry Requirements

Apprentices without level 1 English and Maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for level 2 English and Maths prior to taking the end point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language. 

Duration

The typical duration for this apprenticeship will be 12-15 months

Professional Qualifications/Recognition

This is a level 2 qualification.

Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.