Working in a Pharmacy Environment Flashcards
What are the main skills for pharmacy work?
communication skills
teamwork
accuracy and attention to detail
good organisational skills
empathy and compassion
Describe a community pharmacy.
A retail shop front with a dispensary where medications are stored and dispensed. The registered pharmacy premises are subject to pharmacy legislation, with requirements for storage conditions, equipment, etc.
Describe a hospital pharmacy.
They are located on the premises of the hospital, they usually stock a larger range of medicines, including more specialised medicines, than would be feasible in the community setting. They dispense medicines for inpatients on wards and are predominantly run by dispensary staff.
Some hospitals have outpatient pharmacies that dispense medicines for outpatients and may also sell over-the-counter medicines to staff and to the public.
Describe a dispensing practice.
They can be found in rural locations where a patient may find it difficult to obtain their medicines from a community pharmacy. Dispensing practices are not regulated in the same way as pharmacies and the team usually consists of dispensing assistants and pharmacy technicians. A pharmacist is not required to supervise the staff. The dispensary will be located within the practice and only prescribed medicines can be supplied.
What training do Pharmacists do?
Uni to get a degree in pharmacy,
Pre-registration training year
Professional registration exam
Join the register of pharmacy professionals held by the GPhC.
What is the role of the Pharmacist?
The pharmacist is responsible for all the activities that take place in the pharmacy and is an expert in their field and well-placed to advise patients and other healthcare professionals on the actions/uses of medicines.
What training do Pharmacy Technicians do?
Two years as pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians (PTPT) whilst studying a suitable programme.
register with the GPhC in order to practise.
What are Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy technicians who have completed a further course that allows them to do the final accuracy check of dispensed medicines.
What is a DRUM review?
Dispensing Review of Use of Medicines.
What training do dispensing assistants do?
Either completed a suitable training course to meet the minimum compulsory requirement for dispensary staff or have been working in pharmacy a long time and have been declared competent.
What does the course for MCA’s involve?
questioning techniques
uses of medicines sold over the counter
receipt and issuing of prescriptions
Who will you interact with as an MCA?
patients
industry-based drug representatives
delivery drivers or hospital porters
carers
relatives of patients
a variety of healthcare professionals
members of regulatory organisations e.g. GPhC or Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors
Who sets the standards for conduct, ethics, and performance for pharmacy professionals?
the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
List some of the main points of the GPhC standards.
Make the care of the person your first priority
Be polite, honest and trustworthy
Behave in a professional manner at all times, not just during work hours and not limited to face-to-face communications
Follow the relevant guidelines and procedures
Show respect for others and protect their confidentiality and privacy
Work in partnership with others and communicate effectively
Maintain and develop your knowledge and skills
Take responsibility for your own actions
Recognise the limits of your own knowledge and skills, seek agreement or permission from others, and refer to someone else for help when appropriate
Speak up when you have concerns or when things go wrong
What is a SOP?
Detailed instructions on how to perform a task or tasks. They support safe working systems and minimise risks in the workplace.
What is Information Governance?
It refers to the way that information is managed at your workplace. This includes sensitive and confidential information about patients, their health and their treatment.
Give some examples of how information is governed in the workplace?
Having password-protected access to sensitive information, which allows only authorised individuals to access this information
Making sure passwords are not shared with other people
Taking care to keep data secure, such as keeping antivirus software on the workplace IT systems up to date
Recording, storing and retrieving information in accordance with organisational procedures
Disposing of sensitive data in confidential waste bins, e.g. paperwork containing patient details
How do you apply data protection in the workplace?
Patient consent for services
Protecting against unauthorised access
NHS Digital - opting out
What is the Freedom of Information Act 2000?
It deals with access to official information and gives individuals or organisations the right to request information from any public authority. It sets out exemptions from that right and places a number of obligations on public authorities.
How do you go about requesting information from a public authority (e.g the NHS)
Written requests that the public authority needs to reply within 20 working days.
What is whistleblowing?
Raising concerns about malpractice or safety which affects colleagues, patients, employers or the wider public.
Why should you report concerns?
In order to protect patient safety and adhere to clinical governance.
What is CPD?
Continuing Professional Development
What are the 4 steps in CPD?
Reflection
Planning
Action
Evaluation
