Level 3 - Advanced
The Pharmacy Services Assistant Standard provides learners with skills and knowledge regarding a variety of pharmacy and medicines services to patients, the public and other professional healthcare teams. The PSA supports the delivery of pharmacy services in a variety of pharmacy environments, covering the following areas:
Pharmacy Technicians are registered professionals working within the regulatory standards for pharmacy, as set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Pharmacy Order 2010. Pharmacy Technicians work in a wide range of settings, including (but not exclusively): registered pharmacies, community services, justice (the Prison Service), GP Practices, dispensing doctors’ practices, care homes and clinical commissioning groups, hospitals, mental health, defence (HM Armed Services) and within the pharmaceutical industry, Pharmacy technicians manage the supply of medicines and devices in a pharmacy and assist pharmacists with advisory services.
The actual work setting will determine the specific areas of activity that the Pharmacy Technician undertakes, but typically their role will include the following
A Pharmacy Technician is responsible for carrying out both routine and specialist services, including highly complex activities requiring them to use their professional judgement. They are expected to work both individually and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. They can work with minimum supervision, with a high degree of autonomy, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work that they have undertaken and that of others.
Level 3 Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) Standard – applicants will require as a minimum 4 GCSE’s at grade C/Level 4 and above (must include English, maths and science). Please note: Applicants must successfully complete the Level 2 Apprenticeship Pharmacy before progressing onto the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Pharmacy. Employers also look for skills like motivation, good interpersonal skills, good communication skills and a willingness to learn and will set their own specifications depending on the role.
The duration of an apprenticeship will vary depending on the needs of the employer but you will be required to complete qualifications during the period usually with set study days. As part of the apprenticeship, there will be a number of specific skills that your employer or college tutor will monitor and observe to prove that you reached a certain level of understanding.
On completion of this apprenticeship, you could work in a pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician fulfilling all the roles detailed above.