We look at the role of community pharmacists and their colleagues and how the delivery of excellent care is a team effort
Your local pharmacy team is made up of caring and dedicated staff. But how much do you know about the skills, knowledge and qualifications that they have, in order to ensure you get a safe and excellent service?
Pharmacists train for five years before they can qualify – learning about the human body, the use of medicines to treat disease and diagnosing common illnesses. After that they undergo continuing professional development, so that their skills are always up to date.
Very importantly, they know how to spot the signs of serious illness and will refer you to another health care professional for a check-up or for treatment if necessary.
Aside from the pharmacist, every other member of the pharmacy team also undergoes regulated training in order to provide an effective service and keep you safe.
Trained staff working under the direct supervision of a pharmacist may include:
✚ Pharmacy technicians – skilled members of the pharmacy team who prepare, dispense and supply and issue a range of medicines to patients;
✚ Accredited checking technicians, who are specially trained to undertake accuracy checks of medicines;
✚ Dispensing assistants, who support the pharmacist in the management of dispensary stock; and
✚ Medicines counter assistants, who provide a range of functions to support the rest of the team.
Trained staff working under the direct supervision of a pharmacist may include:
✚ Pharmacy technicians – skilled members of the pharmacy team who prepare, dispense and supply and issue a range of medicines to patients;
✚ Accredited checking technicians, who are specially trained to undertake accuracy checks of medicines;
✚ Dispensing assistants, who support the pharmacist in the management of dispensary stock; and
✚ Medicines counter assistants, who provide a range of functions to support the rest of the team.
What does a pharmacy technician do?
Pharmacy technicians are often the first point of contact for patients. They play an essential role in:
✚ Providing healthcare guidance and information to patients
✚ Taking in prescriptions, preparing and dispensing medicines;
✚ Supporting patients to access to health service;
✚ Managing medicine stock, including ordering medicines;
✚ Delivering public health advice; and
✚ Supervising other pharmacy staff / training and development.
What does a dispensing assistant do?
Dispensing assistants are often the first point of contact for patients. They play an essential role in:
✚ Receiving prescriptions
✚ Assembling prescribed items
✚ Assisting in the issuing of prescribed items
✚ Ordering, receiving and maintaining medicine stock
✚ Listening and providing advice to patients
✚ Efficient running of the dispensary
Regulated professionals
All pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (In Northern Ireland the equivalent is the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland). They are obliged to meet certain standards at all times, which includes maintaining, developing and using their professional knowledge and skills.
