The Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) and Health Education England are leading on a joint project to better understand the knowledge, skills, and competencies required of pharmacy technicians in the early years of their careers. The research will guide the design and review of a UK-wide Foundation Pharmacy Technician Framework that defines the professional attributes that are required for foundation pharmacy technicians across the UK, across sectors.

The Work Psychology Group (WPG) is delivering the work in partnership with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), which will look at roles across the health systems in the UK. WPG will be carrying out research with a range of pharmacy stakeholders, starting with virtual focus groups this December. A survey will follow in early 2020, to capture views on a range of behaviours and attributes considered important for early-career pharmacy technicians to possess.

We are keen to ensure a wide breadth of perspectives and are asking for your support to reach current Foundation Pharmacy Technicians for a series of virtual focus groups.

What: Current Foundation Pharmacy Technicians to participate in a focus groupas part of the Foundation Pharmacy Technician Role Analysis.

Where: Virtual Focus Groups via conference call (60–90 minutes) – led by WPG.

When: December 2019.

Why: To discuss the skills required as an early-year technician to supportthe development of an attributes framework.

How: Register your interest at this link by November 30th: http://bit.ly/PTFocusGroup

We welcome your help in cascading this information to early career pharmacy technicians via your channels. Feel free to use the ready-made email available here and poster available here to promote the research. Please note that as a thank you for contributing to this important work, participants will receive a £25 Amazon Gift Voucher from WPG.

If you have any queries about the role analysis and focus groups, please contact us via Jessica Pickard: j.pickard@workpsychologygroup.com