Accreditation of a Dispensing /Pharmacy Assistant programme (Delivering Medicines Safely and Effectively),
National Pharmacy Association (NPA)
Report of an accreditation event, 22 July 2014
Introduction
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is the statutory regulator for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and is the accrediting body for pharmacy education in Great Britain.
Background
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), ‘the provider’ is a trade organisation and membership comprises community pharmacy owners. The NPA Professional Development Department supports community pharmacy owners with support staff training. The NPA was originally accredited by the previous regulator, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. In 2011, a GPhC accreditation team agreedto recommend to the Registrar of the General Pharmaceutical Council that the NPA dispensing assistant course should be reaccredited for a period of three years from March 2011, subject to the following three conditions.1. The qualification must be mapped to the National Occupational Standards and submitted to the GPhC for review and approval by the accreditation team.Thereafter there must be a process in place where this is regularly reviewed other than when the qualification is due for reaccreditation by the GPhC.2. The provider must ensure that the training materials correctly state that the dispensary assistant course is taught and assessed at level 2, even though the first four modules are common to the knowledge-based qualification for level 3. This must be clear to in all documentation available to the public and students.3. The GPhC must be notified when the IT initiative involving online training materials and assessment is launched.4. All outstanding mapping errors and adjustments must be rectified. Conditions 1, 2, and 4 must be met by 1 May 2011. All conditions were met. The accreditation team made the following recommendation: A separate guide is produced for locum pharmacists/pharmacy technicians who may work with a trainee. This should be available within the ‘Supervisors’ Guide’ to enable locums to understand their training obligations. In response, the NPA decided that any locum who is acting as a witness for the students would need to read the whole Supervising Pharmacists guide as all information contained within is essential for full understanding of the course. The NPA representatives at the present event told the accreditation team that none of them had been in post at the time of the last accreditation but were aware of the outcomes. Since the last accreditation event, the NPA has decided to expand its portfolio to offer a new training course specifically aimed at delivery drivers. It was recognised that the training needs of delivery drivers differed from those of dispensing assistants and this Level 2 Delivering Medicines Safely and Effectively course has been designed and tailored to address these needs.
Documentation
The provider submitted submission documentation to the GPhC in line with agreed timescales and a pre-event meeting took place at the General Pharmaceutical Council headquarters at Lambeth on 2 July 2014. During the pre-eventmeeting the schedule of meetings and timings for the accreditation event were confirmed.
The following documents were submitted by the provider in advance of the accreditation event:
- Delivering Medicines Safely and Effectively Marking Form and Guidance Marking
- Supervising pharmacist’s guide
- Candidate guide
- Learning Contract with Module
- Patient Confidentiality Agreement
- Personal Profile Exercise
- Evaluation Form
- NPA Course Policies and Procedures 2014 comprising: Assessment procedure; Appeals procedure; Malpractice and Plagiarism Policy and Procedure; Quality Assurance Procedures – Comparative Marking Procedure for New Markers, Ongoing Comparative Marking Procedure, Random Assessment Procedure and associated documents; Reviewing and Updating Course Material; Dyslexia Procedure.
- Role Profiles of all Staff Members
- CV of Course leader, QA pharmacist and Head of Department
- Application Form
- Numeracy and Literacy Skills Document
- Marker Contract (Appendix 6) and Service Level Agreement
- Marker Information Pack
- Certificate
The following document was submitted at the event:
-Level 2 (ADAC) to Level 3(QCF) Transfer Process Flow Chart
The event
The event was held on 22 July 2014 at the NPA offices in St Albans
22 July 2014 (Level 2 programmes) / Time- Tour
Presentation / 11:30 – 12:30
Meeting with NPA representatives / 13:00 – 15:00
Private meeting of accreditation team and GPhC representatives / 15:00 – 16:30
Feedback to NPA representatives / 16:30 – 16:45
Accreditation team
The GPhC’s accreditation team (‘the team’) comprised:
Name / Designation at the time of accreditation eventMrs Barbara Wensworth* / Accreditation team leader, Freelance Consultant Pharmacist
Mrs Cath Davies
Mrs Donna Bartlett / Accreditation team member, Health Science Co-ordinator, Stoke-on-Trent College (proxy member)
Accreditation team member, Area compliance co-ordinator, Whitworth Chemist Ltd
Professor Dorothy Whittington / Accreditation team member (Lay), Emeritus Professor of Health Psychology, University of Ulster and Non-executive Director, Northern Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland)
along with:
Name / Designation at the time of eventMs Joanne Martin * / Quality Assurance Manager (Education), General Pharmaceutical Council
Ms Jenny Clapham *
Dr Ian G Marshall / Quality Assurance Officer, General Pharmaceutical Council
Rapporteur , Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
*attended pre-event meeting on 2 July 2014
Declaration of potential conflicts of interest
No potential conflicts of interest were declared
The accreditation criteria
Accreditation team’s commentary1. TheTraining Programme / All of theseven criteria relating to the training programme are met.
The contents of the Delivering Medicines- Safely & Effectively module meet the requirements of units of S/NVQ level 2 (QCF) in Pharmacy Service Skills in: 1. Assist with the provision of a pharmacy service to meet individual needs, 2. Make sure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety, 3. Contribute to the effectiveness of teams, 15. Assist in the issuing of prescribed items. The course primarily covers units 1,2,3 and 15 as well as relevant aspects of the other units. The module aims to provide those members of pharmacy staff who primarily deliver medicines to patient’s homes with the knowledge required to undertake this activity in a safe and effective manner.The course consists of a single workbook module undertaken on a distance learning basis; students work through the module at their own pace, over a period of two to three months or sooner. The estimated study time required to complete the module is approximately 15 hours. The module covers the minimum training requirements pertinent to delivery drivers duties (e.g. handling medication which has been dispensed in the pharmacy and delivering to the patient) both within and beyond the pharmacy. It will be made explicit by covering letter that the course will not entitle the candidate to work on the medicines counter or undertake any dispensing procedures other than the safe delivery of medication. However, the team noted in the documentation that there was reference to “…stock and dispensing…”; this should be corrected. The team also agreed that reference to generic and trade names of medicines should be placed early in the workbook as it considered it necessary to inculcate this information into students with no previous knowledge of pharmacy at an early stage. The team also considered that the advice in the course booklet about dealing with people with specific requirements could benefit from a review; currently it does not cover the whole spectrum of what might be encountered and how to communicate effectively with, for example, people whose mother tongue is not English, rather than simply people with language problems. The team also agreed that the definition and description of the role of the pharmacy technician in the course booklet does not reflect the important role they play within the pharmacy team; this should be reviewed. The module is stand alone and cannot be used to transfer onto other NPA courses. The module has been written by NPA Professional Development Pharmacists with an expertise in community pharmacy. In line with all services provided by the NPA, the course is open to candidates employed by members of the NPA and multiple pharmacy NPA customers, i.e. those employed within a community pharmacy. Admission on to the course is determined by supervising pharmacists (on behalf of employers) for staff members, whose role requires them to deliver prescribed items. The module is based on an integrated knowledge and assessment workbook. Candidates are required to answer set questions and complete activities relating to delivery of medicines to demonstrate their knowledge and provide evidence of implementing this in practice. The contents have been developed by NPA Professional Development Pharmacists, who are all pharmacists and hold additional and relevant training qualifications. External self-employed markers are used for the marking of assessments. All markers are either pharmacists or registered pharmacy technicians whom are contractually bound to keeping occupationally competent within the field of community pharmacy. All new markers undergo 100% Comparative Marking until the NPA Quality Assurance Pharmacist is happy with the level of accuracy and quality of feedback given to each learner. Each marker must undergo continuous Quality Assurance. As part of a continuous improvement programme a new method for comparative marking analysis has been introduced. Student’s marked work is recalled for quality assurance processes for each marker for each module, on a monthly basis.
2. Academic Management Structures / All of the four criteria relating to Academic and Management Structures are met.
The documentation stated that external self-employed markers currently used for the marking of the Dispensary Assistants Course (ADAC) will be used for this single module as the content is aligned to part of ADAC module 1. The team was told that the current Professional Development Department team had inherited the pool of markers, but told the team that most of the markers had worked for multiple pharmacy chains in learning and development departments, and that some had worked in educational colleges; many were said to have had at least 10 years’ experience of marking, including for pharmacy technicians’ courses. All markers are issued a Marker Information Pack to aid them with marking. They are also issued guidance marking for this stand-alone module which must be followed when marking student’s work. Markers award a grade based on the percentage ranges stated in the associated marking guidance. Further quality assurance procedures include random assessment and end of course evaluations. A certificate will not be issued until all elements of the course are complete. Summative case studies are not to be completed under examination conditions; students can work through them in their own time and can use their modules and other reference sources. Students who fail must attempt a new, re-sit paper. If students fail the third attempt they must be discontinued from the course. Under extenuating circumstances the two- to three-month course may be extended for a further 6 months at the discretion of the Pharmacist Course Leader, following consultation with the supervising pharmacist. Extensions beyond this will only be made at the discretion of the Head of Professional Development. Under certain circumstances, where an extension is granted, this may be made on the proviso that additional training materials or assessments are studied or undertaken. All courses will automatically expire three years from the start date of the course and no further extensions are permitted beyond this point. The documentation explained that if a student is unhappy with an assessment decision either the student or the supervising pharmacist must write to the NPA stating the reason behind the appeal. The student is asked to forward their work to the NPA Course Leader. The NPA Professional Development Pharmacist marks the module independently to the initial marker and reviews the mark and grade awarded. Students are made aware that the grade may be lowered, raised, or stay the same as a result of the review. The supervising pharmacist is contacted within 14 days of receipt to discuss the outcome.
A full review of the training material is conducted at least annually by the NPA Course Leader. If a major change occurs during a course an addendum is sent to all current students and included as a supplement in the module for those students who enrol before the formal update. Any cases of malpractice could be identified by students, supervising pharmacists, peers, markers or NPA personnel. Where identified these should be reported to the NPA in writing, with supporting evidence as applicable. The NPA will acknowledge the report within 7 working days and investigate the allegation. A panel comprising the NPA Course Leader, Professional Development Manager and Quality Assurance Pharmacist will consider the findings of the report and decide upon further action required dependent on the specific case.
3. Resources / All of the eight criteria relating to Resources are met.
The Professional Development Department is made up of an established team consisting of a mix of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, member liaison officers and student support officers. The team is led by the Head of Professional Development who is in a senior management position and reports directly to the NPA Chief Executive.The Head of Professional Development is supported by the Professional Development management team consisting of the Professional Development Manager, Member Liaison Manager and Quality Assurance Pharmacist. The Professional Development Pharmacists report to the Professional Development Manager. The NVQ Centre Manageris a registered pharmacy technician and reports directly to the Quality Assurance Pharmacist. A team of four Student Support Officers is line-managed by either the Professional Development Manager or Quality Assurance Pharmacist but also reports to the lead Student Support Officer.
The NPA contracts 16 self-employed external markers/assessors to mark summative assessments who are either pharmacists or registered pharmacy technicians.The NPA uses a record- keeping computer system (Integra – a bespoke customer relationship management IT system) which allows for electronic recording of student details including pharmacy address, supervising pharmacist, courses enrolled on, any disabilities, a log of all communication with the student and grades received. Supervising pharmacists, like students, also have access to NPA in-house staff to support and advice. The pharmacist is responsible for helping the student through their course and bridging the gap between the theory of the module and the practical aspects of working in a pharmacy. They must also ensure the student completes and submits their own work.
The Delivering Medicines Safely and Effectively course will be marketed via the NPA website, the NPA in-pharmacy magazine and via the NPA learning brochure.Intakes for the module are at any time of year; this allows students to commence the course as soon as required. The course is to be completed within a period of 2-3 month period, though extensions are permissible. For those students who are on the course for six months or longer and are still active on the course, they will receivea status letterand, If required, an outbound call is made to the student 3 months after the letter is sent if there is no contact or progression on the course. End of course evaluations are sent to all students with their certificate. Additionally there are online evaluation forms which students can fill in at any time; evaluation forms are analysed and used to improve the course to ensure it better meets the students and members’ needs. Students are also able to give informal feedback at any time via email or by telephone. This information is analysed and used to improve the course and the student’s course experience. Students receive written feedback from the NPA and are able to telephone the NPA if they wish to discuss the feedback. Students who fail the assessments twice are also given oral feedback via a telephone call. The NPA will contact the supervising pharmacist first to discuss the feedback and will obtain consent to telephone the student.
Summary and conclusions
The team agreed to recommend to the Registrar of the General Pharmaceutical Council that National Pharmacy Association should be accredited as a Dispensing Assistant – Delivering Medicines – Safely and Effectively course provider for a period of 3 years. No conditions were set.
The accreditation team identified an area of strength:
The team recognised the progress made by the NPA education team and will look forward to the next visit to see its continuation.
The full record and report includes other comments from the team and the Registrar regards the record and report in its entirety as its formal view on provision. Providers are required to take all comments into account as part of the reaccreditation process.