The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7247 p632
3 May 2003

Society summary

Training technicians: what's new?

This article, prepared in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's practice division, summarises recent developments relating to qualifications for pharmacy technicians

S/NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services The Level 3 Scottish/National Vocational Qualification (S/NVQ) in pharmacy services requires students to demonstrate that they have the identified underpinning knowledge and competence against national occupational standards that have been developed for pharmacy technicians. It is now recognised by the sector as the desirable qualification for pharmacy technicians. Should the Society proceed with proposals for the regulation of pharmacy technicians the educational criteria for registration following the initial transitional period will be based on achievement of this qualification (see below). The S/NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services has recently been reviewed and the revised standards were accredited towards the end of 2001. The revised qualification comprises four core units and eight optional units. To gain the qualification, candidates must complete all the core units and four of the optional units. The revised qualification structure for the NVQ (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) is outlined in Table 1. There is now a small difference between the qualification structures for the NVQ and the SVQ (Scotland). While the standards for both qualifications are the same, the unit "Providing pharmaceutical information and advice" is core within the NVQ but optional within the SVQ. "Manage your work and development" is a core unit within the SVQ but optional within the NVQ.

The awarding bodies for the qualification are City & Guilds, Edexcel and the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Advanced modern apprenticeship framework for pharmacy technicians (England and Wales) The Department for Education and Skills has revised its requirements for advanced modern apprenticeship frameworks (AMAs). The modern apprenticeship framework for pharmacy technicians is being revised to incorporate these revisions and the revised standards for the NVQ level 3 in pharmacy services. Candidates registered for the AMA have to demonstrate competence in the key skills of communication and application of number in addition to completing the NVQ level 3 in pharmacy services. The key skills requirement is less onerous than before, but this is balanced by a requirement for candidates undertaking the revised AMA to attain a technical certificate. This means that candidates have to complete a recognised underpinning knowledge programme in addition to providing evidence of their competence. The technical certificate framework is still being finalised but it is likely that at least two qualifications will meet the requirements. One is the BTEC national certificate in pharmacy services (see below) and the second is a level 3 progression award in pharmacy services being developed by City & Guilds. Candidates registered for the AMA will also be required to complete a pharmacy specific workbook on employment responsibilities and rights.

BTEC national certificate in pharmacy services (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) The Business and Technician Education Council national certificate for pharmacy technicians, awarded by Exexcel, has recently been revised, and employers need to be aware of some significant changes. All BTEC national certificates are now designed to relate to the national occupational standards in the sector. The BTEC national certificate in pharmacy services has been designed to provide the underpinning knowledge for the NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services as well as developing practical skills. It comprises 12 units, of which 10 are assessed internally by the centre delivering the course and two are externally assessed (see Table 2).

In line with Edexcel's policy for BTEC nationals a three-point grading scale of pass, merit and distinction is applied to the units and points are awarded to each grade. For the internally assessed units pass = 2 points, merit = 4 points and distinction = 6 points. The externally assessed units, "Pharmacy law and practice" and "Pharmaceutics" (which includes dispensing) have double unit value, ie, pass = 4 points, merit = 8 points and distinction = 12 points. To achieve the certificate learners must complete all designated units, achieve a minimum score of two points (pass grade) on 10 units and achieve a minimum overall score of 24 points.

What this means in practice is that it is now possible for students to fail two units, including the two externally assessed units, and still be awarded the qualification. In the future, it may therefore be advisable for employers to ask potential employees presenting with this qualification to provide evidence of their performance against the individual units.

Regulation of pharmacy technicians The Society has announced its intention to register and regulate pharmacy technicians in the future (PJ, 14 Dec 2002, p863). Before it can do so, legislation will need to be put in place. Assuming that the Society can proceed, the educational standard for registration from 2007 onwards will be the S/NVQ level 3 Pharmacy Services. This must include successful completion of a programme of accredited underpinning knowledge that meets the requirements of the technical certificate (see above). Transitional arrangements will allow those with previously recognised pharmacy technician qualifications to register. Those with qualifications in this category who wish to register will need to do so during the transitional period, which is likely to run from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2006. The Society is finalising a list of qualifications that will be acceptable under the transitional or "grandparent" arrangements. Details will be published as soon as available.