Senior Pharmacy Technician - Education & Training Review
at NHS
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Pharmaceutical
Wolverhampton
Review Submitted: March 2024
Overall Rating
4.6 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I am the Senior technician for education & training within the inpatient pharmacy at New Cross Hospital. I am educational supervisor for 10 pre-registration student technicians who complete a 2 year program with us in order to gain their qualification & professional registration. I also work within the dispensary to accuracy check medication & participate in late nights, weekends & bank holidays as the lead for the area.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I am finding my current course really interesting & it is encouraging me to develop critical thinking/analysis alongside learning the background to education theory. I can already see how I will be able to put my new learning into practice with my own students & the wider team as well as sharing best practice.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Since joining the Trust I have undertaken various in-house courses to support my career development in management & emotional intelligence. I have also completed an ACPT course which allows me to accuracy check medication and an Assessors qualification to be able to assess NVQ levels 2 & 3.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The course is really well structured, the learning materials are clear which makes completing the required tasks straight forward. The tutors are responsive & always willing to help with any queries, workshops encourage us to discuss our thoughts & not be afraid to put our individual point of view across. We are encouraged to choose our own ways of presenting work.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My line manager is really supportive & has arranged for me to work from home 1 day a week in order to have protected learning time. She encourages me to switch off/limit work emails on these days. I am able to speak to her for advice about completion of tasks where I require guidance about the best way to present.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
There is always someone to speak to in the event of a query & I am kept informed of any changes (where relevant). Guidance is given on a regular basis as well as informing us of future learning if that's something we are considering. I feel well supported in my studies.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
This qualification is giving me the background to education theory which in turn is giving me a better understanding of where I can 'tweak' my work based practices with learners to give them a better learning experience within our department. By understanding the values that are important to my learners it will help me adapt sessions so they get the most out of them.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Currently we have:
regular 'learning at lunch' sessions which are held primarily on Teams
sessions held by external providers
Pharmacist/Technician led sessions
Wellbeing team - activities organised throughout the year
Professional networking opportunities are cascaded out to the wider team
Pharmacy bake off - to encourage individuals to show off their skills & compete for a trophy
regular 'learning at lunch' sessions which are held primarily on Teams
sessions held by external providers
Pharmacist/Technician led sessions
Wellbeing team - activities organised throughout the year
Professional networking opportunities are cascaded out to the wider team
Pharmacy bake off - to encourage individuals to show off their skills & compete for a trophy
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NHS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
There are excellent career opportunities within our department & the wider Trust. Numerous opportunities for learning, gaining qualifications & working under mentors to guide you as you progress. Lots of exciting progress is being made in the NHS as a whole & RWT aims to be at the forefront of these. Staff are encouraged to share best practice.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NHS?
Consider speaking to staff currently in post, ask to visit the department you are interested in, find out what opportunities there are for development. Ask questions, there is no such thing as a 'silly' question!
Look at the Trust website & ensure you consider the Trust visions & values, think about how these align with your own.
Look at the Trust website & ensure you consider the Trust visions & values, think about how these align with your own.
