What are the entry criteria requirements for the Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for
Pharmacy Technician?

The assessment strategy and plan will be reflective of the GPhC assessment criteria. Who and how will be determined by Awarding Organisations and approved by the GPhC. The Diploma is not an NVQ.

This qualification must be assessed in line with the Awarding Organisation qualification assessment strategy as well as in line with Skills for Health Assessment Principles for Occupational Competence (v4 November 2017). 

This qualification consists of both skills units and knowledge units.  All units are mandatory. This qualification will be graded pass or fail.

The primary method of assessment for the skills-based units is observation in the workplace by the assessor. The definition of an Assessor will be determined by the education provider(s) and meet the GPhC requirements. Please note that this is not an NVQ and Assessor role etc will be defined to meet the new Diploma requirements. Across the qualification’s skills-based units there must be at least three observations which cover the required skills. Evidence should be generated over a period of time to show consistent performance.  Expert witness testimony may be used where it is difficult for an assessor to observe aspects of practice.

For knowledge-based units, evidence will be assessed using internally set, internally marked written assignments. The Awarding Organisation will provide sample assignments and assessment guidance to education providers. The assignments will be internally quality assured, then subject to externally quality assurance by the Awarding Organisation.

In addition to the evidence requirements set out in each unit, a range of assessment methods have been identified for the qualification units which may include evidence generated using the following: 

• Question and answer sessions based on the learner’s workplace activities

• Learner’s own personal statements/reflections

• Professional discussion

The additional assessment methods provide the opportunity for different learning styles and individual needs of learners to be taken into account.

No, the Diploma is designed to ensure core education and training regardless of the sector of training.
This will enable an increase in the areas/placements that trainees can be employed.
Therefore, ensuring a future pipeline of pharmacy technicians for roles that are growing in primary care and specialist areas.
There are no optional units so all registrants will enter the register with the same underpinning qualification.

This will support specialising in specific practice areas that require additional skills and knowledge to be developed as foundation practice post registration.

No, the Diploma meets the IET set by the GPhC. The Apprenticeship framework will need to meet the GPhC Initial Education and Training Standards (IET) and apprenticeship criteria as determined by the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technology with an independent End Point Assessment.
Once the apprenticeship standard and End Point Assessment for Pharmacy Technicians has been approved the qualification can be used as the qualification to underpin the standards in the apprenticeship framework.

Following a review of the consultation feedback and subsequent discussion with the subject matter experts, it was agreed that IETs 37 and 38 were not sufficiently covered. To support this, a knowledge unit has been developed with subject matter experts titled ‘Principles of safe manufacture of quality medicines in a pharmaceutical environment’.

Historically, the Technical Services NVQ units were optional and could be utilised instead of other units to support specialist practice areas. Any qualification that is designed to meet an apprenticeship standard in England should consist of mandatory units only, as the apprenticeship model in England does not permit the inclusion of optional tasks to be occupationally competent. 

For those organisations wishing to assess skills or competence in this area, assessment can be achieved by utilising other units within the qualification, e.g. the ‘assemble and check dispensed medicines and products’ skills-based unit can be applied to the preparation and self-checking processes within Technical Services units.

This will mean that the qualification is achievable in all sectors and meets the Apprenticeship standard.