BTEC National Certificate in Pharmacy Services - Course
Entry requirementsEntry requirements 4 GCSEs Grade C or above to include English and 2 science subjects, one of which may be Mathematics or BTEC First Certificate/Diploma in Science (merit) or Students in employment or with previous experience or qualification will be able to Accredit Prior Learning (on presentation of suitable evidence). or at the discretion of the Head of the School of Science and Mathematics. NB. Whilst there are no formal entry requirements for NVQ, to successfully achieve NVQ Level 3, the level of knowledge and skills required suggests 4 GCSEs (as above). Students must be working in a retail or hospital pharmacy as student pharmacy technicians for at least 14 hours a week. In addition, NVQ students must be employed in a situation where they can be assessed in the workplace.
Academic titleBTEC National Certificate in Pharmacy Services
Course descriptionGeneral information
This course has been designed to provide individuals with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills necessary for current and future employment in hospital, community or industrial pharmacies. The BTEC National Certificate will also allow for entry to a Higher National or undergraduate degree programmes in a range of scientific areas such as biomedical sciences. It will also enable progression to other healthcare fields.
Students will enrol for the BTEC National Certificate in Pharmacy Services. This course also provides the underpinning knowledge for the NVQ in Pharmacy Services. The latter course is taken and assessed in the workplace. Both courses run on guidelines issued in 2002 and will only be achievable through part-time studies.
Course participants should be working in a community or a hospital as a student pharmacy technician for at least 18 hours per week. You will be required to obtain proof of this work commitment from your employer. The course is taught by experienced retail and hospital staff, practitioner pharmacists, technician teacher practitioners as well as college staff.
Course content
Year 1:
* Scientific Principles
* Pharmacy Law
* Ethics and practice
* Introduction to action and use of medicines
* Pharmaceutics
* Human Physiology
* Medicines & medicines management.
The units listed above relate to the BTEC Certificate course but also encompass the knowledge and understanding necessary for the NVQ3 qualification taken at work.
Teaching and assessment
Students will be registered with BTEC and their programme will be assessed using college and externally set assignments. Work assessed at college can be used as evidence for the NVQ. The course is delivered via lectures, practical investigations and interactive IT packages.
Progression
This course provides the underpinning knowledge for professional recognition to work as a pharmacy technician. Senior technicians may continue to study for a foundation Degree or for a MPharm degree at university.