Accreditation of Medicines Counter Assistant programmes in
UK
Requirements for dispensing and pharmacy assistant training programmes in UK
You must use this document to:
 demonstrate how you meet the accreditation criteria. Guidance on what sort of information and supporting evidence you need to provide is
detailed on the right of the template;
 Map your course against the learning outcomes of the Medicines Counter Assistant Template; and
 List all the supporting documentation submitted with this template. Guidance on the documents that you will need to submit is provided.
Name of training provider:
Name of course to be accredited :
Contact name:
Job title:
Address:
1
Telephone:
Mobile:
Email:
2
1. The Training Programme
Provide information on how your training programme meets the General Pharmaceutical Council’s (GPhC) requirements and is at the required academic
level.
General note: Except where single pieces of information or lists are asked for, the provider’s commentary should be written in prose. Directions to other
documents only will not be accepted. Supporting documents should be included as an appendix to the application template.
Please delete the italicised prompts when completing commentaries.
Criterion
Guidance and evidence
a. The course content covers
the knowledge and
understanding associated
with units Pharm 05 (unit
Course summary to include module or unit titles and the phasing or sequence of the modules or units in the programme.
4) Pharm 07 (unit 5) and
Pharm 32 (Unit 15) of the
Pharmacy services skills
S/NVQ level 2 (QCF)
b. The programme is taught at
Qualifications Credit
framework level 2.
c. The programme is planned
with reference to the
Medicines Counter Assistant
template.
d. Assessments have been
developed by subject experts
from the Pharmacy sector
and directly relate to
modules contained in the
syllabus for the Medicines
Counter Assistants template.
Evidence that the training programmes is at the required academic level
Refer to the mapping of the course below.
Summary of activities and assessments to include assessment methods.
Also details of individuals, course panel or equivalent group responsible for the development of the programme. CVs
should be provided (see supporting documentation)
3
Additional information on the training programme.
Provide additional information on your course. This must include:
 How the course is delivered, for instance distance learning, day release,
 Total expected total student workload (guided learning hours), number of curriculum hours for each part of the course, contact time with training
provider.
 Anticipated duration of the training programme and maximum and minimum permitted durations.
 How the training programmes is funded.
4
Mapping to the programmes requirements
You must provide a cross reference for each element listed mapping the element to the contents of your course. The cross reference should
include the name of the document referenced with the page number(s).
Assist in the sale of medicines and products
To demonstrate knowledge and understanding in this
NOS , assistants should be able to apply:
Name of document and unit/module
number
Page
Accreditation team use only
Legislation, policy and good practice
A working knowledge of the pharmacy protocol on the
sale of medicines and SOPs including:
a) What is listed in them
b) How to use them
c) Why it is important that SOPs should be
followed at all times
A factual knowledge of the legal responsibility and
authority of the pharmacist and others in the
organisation
A working knowledge of legal and ethical
requirements for confidentiality
Specific health related knowledge and skills
A working knowledge of the main actions and side
effects of the active ingredients within commonly
used non-prescription medicines
A working knowledge of the differences between:
a) General Sales List (GSL) medicines
b) Pharmacy (P)
c) Prescription Only Medicines (POM) items
5
Procedures and techniques
A working knowledge of the use of questioning
techniques such as 2WHAM
A working knowledge of the needs of different types
of individuals
A working knowledge of the sources of information to
access
A working knowledge of the information that is
suitable to give individuals
A working knowledge of the type of
information/advice that needs to be referred to a
pharmacist or a pharmacy technician
Receive prescriptions from individuals
To demonstrate knowledge and understanding in this
NOS , assistants should be able to apply:
Name of document and unit/module
number
Page
Accreditation team use only
Legislation, policy and good practice
A working knowledge of the importance of working
within the limits of their own role and recognising
when to refer to an appropriate person
A working knowledge of Standard Operating
Procedures regarding the receiving of prescriptions
and the importance of adhering to them at all times
A working knowledge of current legislation relating to
prescription charges and exemptions and differences
in practice across the UK
A working knowledge of regulations and procedures
relating to prescriptions for clinical trials
A working knowledge of the relevant national and
6
local guidelines, policies and procedures that are
available and how and when they should be accessed
A working knowledge of the different types of
prescribers
Specific health related knowledge and skills
A working knowledge of the different types of
prescriptions and when they are used
A working knowledge of the different types of
prescriptions and when they are used
A working knowledge of exemptions and how
individuals can claim refunds, including the use of
official forms and prepayment certificates
Procedures and techniques
A working knowledge of how to deal with individuals
with special needs
A working knowledge of the transactional and
administration procedures as required by
governmental regulations and those that apply to the
workplace
Records and documentation
A working knowledge of the importance of
maintaining dispensary records
Assist in the issuing of prescribed items
To demonstrate knowledge and understanding in this
NOS , assistants should be able to apply :
Name of document and unit/module
number
Page
Accreditation team use only
Legislation, policy and good practice
A working knowledge of the limits of their own role and
7
when to refer to an appropriate person
A working knowledge of principles for issuing dispensed
medicines and products and the local Standard Operating
Procedures that relate to this
A working knowledge of the current ethical and legal
requirements that govern the issuing of a prescription
Procedures and techniques
A working knowledge of how to deal with individuals with
special needs
A working knowledge of the importance of confirming the
individual’s identity before issuing dispensed items
A working knowledge of the importance of providing
information on:
a) the storage and maintenance of prescribed items
b) possible side effects
Records and documentation
A factual knowledge of the importance of maintaining
dispensary records including the use of the dispensary
computer
A factual knowledge of how medicines are administered
Materials and equipment
A working knowledge of the importance of selecting the
correct equipment for use
A working knowledge of the properties of different types of
container types and when to use each
2. Academic and management structures
Provide evidence that you have adequate academic and management structures in place.
8
Criterion
Guidance and evidence
a.
Information on the management of quality assurance procedures. Details of marking criteria, how marking is done and by
whom, measures to ensure consistency, how borderline issues and dealt with.
b.
c.
d.
Assessment process and
strategies assure
appropriate standards in
assessment and that
students are able to
demonstrate fitness for
purpose.
In the processes of
programme review and
development, the training
provider has taken account
of advances in pharmacy
practice , for instance
recent POM to P
reclassifications, and
developments potentially
impacting on pharmacy
Course regulations include
procedures for appeals
against assessment
decisions
Course regulations include
procedures for dealing with
suspected plagiarism
and/or malpractice
Course regulations covering re-sits, resubmissions and extenuating circumstances including rationale.
Details of how the course will be reviewed and details of individuals, course panel or equivalent group responsible for the
review and how any changes will be disseminated to students. CVs should be provided (see supporting documentation).
Course regulations and procedures for appeals against assessment decisions.
Course regulations and procedures for dealing with suspected malpractice/plagiarism.
Additional information on your academic and management structures.
Provide additional information on your academic and management structures not covered in criteria 2a to 2d above.
9
10
3. Resources
Provide evidence that you have adequate resources to support the delivery of your training programme.
Criterion
a. Buildings, human,
equipment, and other
resources available to the
training provider are
sufficient for the effective
delivery of the course to
the numbers of students on
the course, and overall.
Guidance and evidence
Information on human resources including numbers with names of staff associated with the training programme(s) with
descriptions of their roles, qualifications/credentials backgrounds and contractual status in relation to the training
provider. CVs should be provided (see supporting documentation).
Information on equipment and support services.
Current and planned annual intakes.
Admissions policy and marketing strategy
Commentary on completion and success rates of students on this course, or a similar programme if this is a new course
b.
Record keeping systems are Information on record keeping systems.
able to generate data on
candidates completing,
completion rates, student
sector of practice and
disability.
c.
Systems are in place for
issuing certificates of
completion to successful
students in the GPhC’s
approved format
d.
There is an appropriate mix Information on who is responsible for tutoring, mentoring and assessing the student. Clarify roles and responsibilities of
of tutors, mentors and
the training provider and others, for instance the workplace supervising pharmacist and what support is provided by the
assessors.
training provider for those supporting the student
Confirmation that systems are in place.
The certificate must include the following wording ‘this course has been accredited by the General Pharmaceutical
Council.’
There must be a list of units completed by the student
11
e.
The student has access to a Description of student access to tutors and mentors including who is the tutor and how tutors are accessed by the student
personal tutor or tutors for for instance face to face, online, by telephone.
academic guidance and
pastoral care.
f.
The student is instructed in Information provided to students on available resources.
the use of information
resources.
g.
There are adequate
student feedback
mechanisms in place.
h.
The training provider seeks Information about how the is student supported and support given to tutors and mentors
to provide the student with
a positive learning
experience.
Details of student feedback mechanisms, for instance questionnaires, and how the information gathered informs course
development.
12
Additional information on your resources.
Provide additional information on your organisation. This must include:
 How the training programme is funded
 Information about the range of education and training provided, including modes of delivery.
 Brief details of all training packages marketed to pharmacy support staff.
13
4. Supporting documentation
List all the supporting documents submitted with this template.
The following list is indicative of the documents you will need to provide:
 Training materials (reference criterion 1a)
 Assessments (for instance MCQs, workbooks) and assessment criteria (reference criteria 1d and 2a)
 Staff CVs, including names, descriptions of roles, credentials/qualifications and background (reference criteria 1d, 2b and 3a)
 Course regulations covering assessment (reference criterion 2a)
 Course regulations covering appeals (reference criterion 2c)
 Course regulations covering plagiarism (reference criterion 2d)
 Sample certificate (reference criterion 3c)
 Learning contact outlining the responsibilities of training provider, tutor and student. (reference criteria 3d)
 Student handbook (reference criteria 3d to 3h. Also criteria 2a, 2c and 2d with regard to course regulations)
 Supervisor handbook (reference criteria 3d to 3h. Also criteria 2a, 2c and 2d with regard to course regulations)
All documentation referred to in your responses to the criteria above must be submitted with this template.
You will need to provide 5 hard copies and 1 electronic copy of all materials.
14