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Notice to course providers: Mapping dispensing assistant courses to the “grandparent clause” for pharmacy services S/NVQ Level 2

The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7270 p529
11 October 2003

Notice to course providers: Mapping dispensing assistant courses to the “grandparent clause” for pharmacy services S/NVQ Level 2

From 1 January 2005 there will be a mandatory minimum training standard for staff involved in the assembly of a prescription. Dispensing assistants will need to have achieved, or be in training towards, relevant units of the Pharmacy Services S/NVQ Level 2 or an accredited equivalent course. The grandparent clause is a transitional arrangement that makes provision for existing staff to demonstrate their competence to a minimum standard and thus continue working without the need to obtain a new qualification. It is based on completion of a prior dispensing assistants’ course and/or the completion of a declaration of competence by a pharmacist.

The Society is compiling a list of past and present dispensing assistant courses that will undergo a top line mapping to ensure that they have covered a common area of content. As part of this, the Society invites any course providers who want their courses mapped to the grandparent clause for S/NVQ Level 2 to submit their training details by the end of October 2003. To cover administrative costs, there is a non-refundable scrutiny fee of £100 for each course application. Full course details should be sent to Sadia Khan in the practice division at the Society’s headquarters (e-mail skhan@rpsgb.org.uk). Cheques should be payable to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.