Pharmacist Learning and Development

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Training Hub (CPTH) are clear that investment in learning and development enables staff working in General Practice to reach their full potential and continuously improve performance.

Please find below learning and development opportunities for those pharmacists who are new to primary care.

Induction Checklist for Pharmacists

Please click the tab below for a useful Clinical Pharmacist Induction Checklist.

Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway

The Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) developed the Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway (PCPEP) to align the education requirements of the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with the NHS Long Term Plan and the primary care Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service. CPPE also run regular information webinars for employers, clinical supervisors and interested parties, outlining the PCPEP pathway. Visit their website for more information.

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Professional Clinical Network Pharmacy Forums

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICS in conjunction with the Training Hub would like to invite you to join us at our monthly meetings from 1pm–2pm. This will provide great networking opportunity to meet your peers and each meeting includes a relevant clinical topic allowing you to reflect on your practice and helping towards continuing professional development.

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Newly Qualified Pharmacist Training Pathway (NQP) and CPD

If you are a newly qualified pharmacist or a pharmacist looking to develop skills, changing scope, or stepping up in your role, you can access crucial early career training and CPD accredited modules provided by the University of East Anglia (UEA) and funded by Health Education England (HEE) by March 2023.

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Clinical Pharmacist Accelerator Programme

A comprehensive training programme that helps Pharmacists accelerate their learning within a GP surgery sector up to level 2 of the CPA Pathway.

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The CPO's Pharmacy Leaders Development Programme

The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer's Pharmacy leaders development programme is for experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who aspire to lead large and complex NHS departments, services, teams or systems of care to benefit patients and local communities. It aims to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours to help experienced pharmacy professionals become outstanding, compassionate and inclusive leaders and improve the performance of the teams and the people who work with them to deliver improved outcomes for patients and the public.

This programme aims to create a cadre of senior pharmacy professionals ready for challenging senior leadership roles and to develop professional networks to sustain their professional leadership practice. A key objective is to make a positive contribution to improving the diversity of the people in the NHS' senior pharmacy professional leadership positions.

It offers a comprehensive mix of residential workshops, optional specialist study days, and small group support to build capability, confidence and networks across the wider system

There are 30 places available for each cohort. Online applications Cohort 3 will open on Monday 6th March 2023.

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A Clinical Pharmacist in General Practice is at one of 4 levels – which level are you?

We invite you to use the IMPLEMENT Competency Assessment Service to find out your current level. Take 5 minutes to complete the test and then contact us at candptraininghub@nhs.net to discuss the results, receive personalised feedback and next steps.

Level 1 – Proficiency in the GP Software System

This is a Pharmacist who can use the GP system efficiently and support the the practice team with the day to day running of the GP surgery, usually dealing with patients as part of the front-line team. Pharmacy students and pre-reg pharmacists normally start here.  Running medication audits GP software is another skill that is required for Pharmacists in General Practice and Pharmacists at this level may also be able to complete medication audits as per the needs of the practice.

Level 2 – Monitoring Medication & Conditions – Clinical Decision Making

At this level the Pharmacist is expected to process prescription tasks by going through a clinical decision making process which involves the monitoring requirements of the medication & the condition being treated. You will be expected review the patient’s medical notes, prescription request history, drug interactions. This Pharmacist will also be able to process & file letters received from secondary care which involves medication changes and new diagnoses.

Level 3 – Chronic Disease Management – Asthma, COPD, Diabetes & Hypertension

In addition to all the responsibilities of a Level-2 Clinical Pharmacist, at Level- 3 the Pharmacist would run clinics in chronic disease management such as Asthma, COPD, Diabetes & Hypertension. This role requires in depth knowledge of the disease progression, assessment and its management. Pharmacists normally spend around a year at this level. The Independent Prescribing qualification is normally completed during this period, if not done so already.

Level 4 – Minor Illness Management

At this level the Clinical Pharmacist will experience the most growth and becomes a Pharmacist who can safely run Minor Illness clinics as well as all the Level-2 and 3 responsibilities. This is an experienced and well-rounded Independent Prescriber that has undertaken Physical Assessment training, as well as Minor Illnesses training and gained experience under the supervision of a GP. The Pharmacist would be able to treat acute conditions and be able to identify red flags to differentiate from more serious conditions.