Session two continued with the broad topics of personal effectiveness, self-awareness, and self-management. These key topics supported participants understand how Pharmacy Technicians need to manage their own personal effectiveness and development within a Pharmacy setting to enable them to support patients. 

A Pharmacy Technician can be employed  in many different sectors, community, retail, NHS, and Justice to name a few. There was information on the career path Pharmacy Technicians can take once qualified. 

Person-centred care is key to ensuring that patients receive the best care they need. The session explored the factors that influence the need for diverse, person-centred approaches, and how to implement.

Coupled with person-centred care is communication in the workplace. Clear communication that gives patients and other healthcare professionals key information quickly is imperative in a Pharmacy setting.  

The final element of session three, was an overview of the science modules that are contained in the level 3 BTEC Diploma Principles & Practice for Pharmacy Technicians (Chemistry/Biology/Microbiology). This is the apprenticeship that successful participants are likely to undertake once fully employed as a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician.

Session four introduced participants to the structure of cells, blood, and tissue that are present in the human body. There was a short assignments to complete in this session with support and guidance from the skills tutor.

Stock control is important in a Pharmacy, understanding seasonal and specific prescribing, maintenance of stock levels, expiry dates and safe storage, and transportation of medicines is an integral part of the day-to-day running of the Pharmacy.

The second half of the fifth session took participants through the career of a Pharmacy Technician in a regional Pharmacy , managing a stores department or regional stores hub. How no two days are ever the same, and some of the roles that they could be undertaking if they’re successful on the programme and progress onto the Level 3 Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship. 

Pharmacy Technicians play a key role in the accurate dispensing of medicines. It’s essential for patient safety that this is done correctly following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Session six covered the principles of safe dispensing of medicines and the role that Pharmacy Technicians play. 

This session gave participants a broad overview of the role of Pharmacy Technicians including Primary Care and community/retail settings. It enabled participants to see the differences and similarities of the role within the wider Pharmacy sector. 

We also covered Aseptic services, the preparation of injectable medicines into ready-to-administer formats for patients in sterile environment.

Session eight outlined basic information on how some medicines work inside the human body. Understanding how medicines interact with the human body is imperative considering when medication options with patients. 

In part 3 of the medicine journey participants learnt about issuing medicines, how it is done, and some of the checks that will need to be carried out. 

Counselling skills were also discussed in this session, whilst counselling is a specific skill, Pharmacy Technicians may need to discuss potentially difficult situations with patients and will need an understanding of how to approach sensitive issues.

During the final session the skills tutor recaped the course, encouraged reflection, answered any participant questions relating to course content, and gathered individual learner feedback. 

Included in this session were interview skills and next steps.