Apprentice Pharmacy Services Assistant (Level 2) Hingley Pharmacy (Alum Rock)

What you will do in your working day

Duties will include:

• Handling customer queries with confidence
• Collection of prescription charges/checking patient exemption statements
• Operation of efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage
• Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions
• Refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record/logbook
• Ensuring that that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order
• Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions
• Ordering and unpacking drugs and dressings
• Dispensing and checking repeat prescriptions and prescriptions from surgeries under the supervision of a dispenser
• Taking orders for repeats and dealing with queries from district nurses and support staff
• Using the computer to keep records up to date
• Dealing with queries from patients regarding their prescriptions
• Handling controlled drugs (and keeping the register)
• Handling prescription money and operating/balancing the till
• Assisting when required to meet targets in relation to dispensing doctors scheme
• Assisting with stock checks

The training you will be getting

Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant apprenticeship standard:

There is a major shift from assessing to learning. Instead of continually assessing learners, assessors will be more like tutors or mentors, planning activities, sending feedback and supporting apprentices until the EPA (End Point Assessment)

• The EPAO (End Point Assessment Organisation) will then be responsible for assessing the apprentice
  Instead of assessing apprentices, on-programme learning will meet all the KSBs (Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours) in the standard and prepare apprentices for their EPA. Mentors will need to check which assessment methods are used in the EPA and do mock tests and practice runs as the apprentice approaches the EPA

• The standards include a 20% off-the-job training requirement. This means providers and employers need to work together to plan learning activities outside of the apprentice's normal working duties. Off-the-job training is mandatory and will be audited, so it needs to be properly organised and recorded

• Apprentices are now graded according to their performance in the EPA. This means mentors will need to work closely with their learners to get the most out of them – planning activities to coach borderline apprentices and stretch and challenge high achievers

• Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 qualification is achieved on completion

• 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

What to expect at the end of your apprenticeship

• Following successful completion of the training, an apprentice will be qualified to work as a dispensing assistant in Community Pharmacies.
• Should they wish to continue training, Accuracy checking roles present an interesting progression, and further training can lead to a Pharmacy Technician qualification meaning registration with the GPhC and a qualification which is recognised in the wider NHS.