We pride ourselves on having a 'fit for practice' workforce through the education, training and development opportunities given to all pharmacy staff.
These are delivered in collaboration with the DeMontfort University which has a proven track record in the development and delivery of postgraduate pharmacy education for clinical pharmacists and accredited post basic training for pharmacy technicians.
Our department is also involved in the education and training of medical and nursing staff across the Trust.
The continuing professional and personal development of our staff is taken very seriously within the Pharmacy Department and therefore the involvement of staff in undertaking and delivery of a full training programme is positively encouraged. This includes professional qualifications.
We employ a number of teacher practitioner pharmacists as well as NVQ co-ordinators and many of our senior and chief technicians are also qualified NVQ assessors and verifiers. In recent years at least a quarter of our staff have been studying for a recognised qualification at any given time.
Pharmacists
Pre-registration pharmacists training
The department trains several pre-registration pharmacists each year to enable them to qualify as registered pharmacists with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) of Great Britain.
We will offer our trainees a wide-ranging experience of centralised and decentralised pharmacy services, delivered from a central department and six satellites.
Following the GPhC ‘Performance Standards’; we provide regular tutorials and support, together with rotations in:
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Clinical specialities
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Ward based rotations & tutorials
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Information services
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IT & Medicines Information skills
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Distribution
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Dispensary & Ward Services
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Aseptics
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Preparation & manufacture
Vocational placement
We currently offer a 1 week programme run over the summer for undergraduate pharmacy students.
Post-graduate pharmacy courses in clinical pharmacy
These courses have been developed in conjunction with De Montfort University Leicester which currently runs a Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Medicines Management and an MSc in Clinical Pharmacy.
Pharmacy technicians
Pre-registration Pharmacy technicians undergo a 2 year QCF (NVQ) level 3 programme and also attend college on day release to gain a Diploma in Pharmacy Services. These two qualifications on completion, allow entry onto the General Pharmaceutical Council’s register.
Pharmacy technicians are part of the pharmacy team and work under the supervision of a pharmacist. The role of a pharmacy technician is very challenging and rewarding. It provides the opportunity to work as part of a team to support the care of patients.
Technicians are responsible for the dispensing process, checking prescriptions and counselling patients on their treatment. Other roles include purchasing, medicines management, specialist manufacturing and education and training. Clinical technicians work more closely with patients on the wards alongside oher healthcare professionals.
Assistant technical officer & senior assistant technical officer
Senior assistant technical officers work alongside pharmacy technicians and under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
Here at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, as a pharmacy assistant there are opportunities to work towards a QCF (NVQ) level 2 Qualification in Pharmacy Services. With experience and achievement in relevant qualifications, it is possible to progress to senior pharmacy assistant roles and gain access to the pre-registration pharmacy technician training program.
