UCA NEWS
WHAT UCA HAS BEEN DOING TO SUPPORT YOU DURING THE PANDEMIC UCA worked with DoH/HSCB/PHA/CPNI and other agencies, focussing on a number of areas where pharmacies required extra support including:
Workforce uCA was asked to collate the details of pharmacists, who offered extra hours during the height of the crisis, including those placed on PsNI’s Time-Limited Register.
Had the situation worsened, uCA was in place to help by liaising between pharmacists and pharmacies to ensure they could remain open. Pharmacies also looked for help and advice on the government business support schemes, such as the Job Retention scheme.
Staff ID As members of the health and social care (HsC) workforce, uCA helped with the ID distribution, acted as the employer for locum pharmacists who used uCALocumOnline and worked with HsCB to sort out isolated issues with retailers and Translink.
Practicalities uCA sourced screening and signage plus a range of cleaning and sanitising processes and products. This included sourcing access control technology to free up staff from door duties.
Whilst stock shortages are now part of everyday life for pharmacies, this was exacerbated during the pandemic, and uCA worked with all parties to try to resolve those issues.
Communications uCA highlighted the Department for Communities/Advice NI COVID-19 Community Helpline for anyone who needed assistance with essentials, such as food, medicines, utilities and emotional support. This helpline was not well promoted or easily found online, so uCA posted regular messages on Facebook highlighting public health messages, pharmacy’s role in support of the community, and useful information or signposting.
PHARMACY APPRENTICESHIPS
At the heart of any community pharmacy are its dedicated dispensing assistants, so it is vitally important that you have the right training in place to nurture employees who have decided to step up into this role. One of the biggest barriers for budding dispensing assistants is where to access a programme with the right fit, with a long day release at college a huge obstacle for many.
uCA-NI is delighted to announce that we have developed a Level 2 Pharmacy services Apprenticeship programme with south eastern Regional College. The course is fully funded by the Department for the economy and will be delivered virtually with a combination of a weekly, virtual tutorial (one hour per week), with a further approximate three hours per week of independent study required. In addition, there will be a minimum of four observations in the workplace throughout the course. The Level 2 Apprenticeship is a one- year course with three elements:
• Competence-based element: Pearson edexcel Level 2 Certificate in Pharmacy services skills
• Knowledge-based element: Pearson BTeC Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical science
• eRR Workbook: For this framework, the apprentice is required to complete the Pharmacy specific eRR workbook provided by skills for Health
Optional element: students who don’t have Grade C in english or Maths will be required to complete Level 2 essential skills in Literacy and Numeracy as part of the Apprenticeship
Eligibility Apprentice candidates must be: • employed in a suitable role in a pharmacy, working a minimum of 21 hours per week
• of school-leaving age and over (there is no upper age limit for L2 Pharmacy services as it is a priority sector)
• hold five GCses (Grades D-G) including at least Grade D in english and Maths (or an equivalency, such as Level 1 essential skills)
If you foresee progress of your Apprentices beyond Level 2, note that the mandatory entry requirements for Level 3 include a min Grade C in GCse science (Chemistry or Biology)
Why choose the apprenticeship route? Pharmacies who have experience of onsite apprenticeship programmes
PHARMACY IN FOCus - 37
have told uCA that they love this way of training and developing their employees. They don’t have to travel and spend long days in the classroom, or work on distance learning packs, which can be off-putting for some. The onsite assessment coupled with the e-learning and tutor support provides flexibility for both the trainee and the employer.
Government incentives The course is fully funded by the Department for the economy and to encourage take-up of the Apprenticeship Programme, employers receive a bonus of £500 for each apprentice who successfully completes their training. seRC can offer help and support with recruitment including a poster or flyer for social media or website recruitment.
For more information or added support, contact Adrienne Clugston uCA-NI or go directly to seRC Natasha Mcquade, Apprenticeship Development Manager by email
nmcquade@serc.ac.uk
Fully onsite Level 2 Apprenticeship programmes are also available in the North West through other providers and uCA will continue to work with regional colleges and hope to see the virtual programme rolled out throughout NI.
Did you know that you can develop non-dispensary staff through apprenticeship programmes in Retail skills, Warehousing and Customer service? For more information, contact the uCA-NI office team.
Government plan for jobs In July, the Chancellor, Rishi sunak, announced a scheme to boost employment for 16-24 year olds. The Kickstart scheme will be introduced in Great Britain, offering six-month work placements. Funding available for each job will cover 100 per cent of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. It is hoped that a similar scheme will be announced by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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