Analysing the roles of pharmacy technicians in their early careers

RPS has been commissioned alongside the Work Psychology Group to analyse the roles of pharmacy technicians in the early years of their careers. This follows a similar project by the same partnership in 2018 to analyse the role of early years pharmacists.

The work will include desk research and compare foundation training programmes in other professions as well as focus groups. It will specifically look at roles across a range of settings and in across GB.  In early 2020 we will invite you to participate in a survey to ensure all views are captured.  

The project has been launched by the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK and Health Education England.  APTUK expects to use the analysis to underpin and guide the design and review of a UK wide Foundation Pharmacy Technician Framework. This will inform professional capabilities to be tested at the point of entry, during development and upon completion of training programmes. 

HEE will use the analysis to identify the development needs of pharmacy technicians in all care settings in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.

RPS Director of Education Gail Fleming said:

“The contribution of each member of the pharmacy team needs to be defined and recognised to ensure pharmacy has the greatest impact in the multidisciplinary team. This work is an important step in understanding the current and future roles of pharmacy technicians across different sectors of practice. We are delighted to be involved and to proactively support the development of the whole pharmacy team.”