COMMUNITY PHARMACY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME


For 2025-26, UCA-NI revised its training programme for Foundation Trainees and launched the Community Pharmacy Management Programme.


Community Pharmacies are looking for help to support future and new Pharmacists as they start their career in the sector. UCA-NI’s programme content reflects the core requirements of community pharmacy employers, preparing trainees for roles requiring business and management skills. This is covered in days one and two of the programme with the third day


covering Vaccination Training – now another essential part of being a Community Pharmacist.


An Induction Programme for Community Pharmacy Management The UCA programme is great for Foundation Trainees, but it is also perfect for any newly qualified Pharmacist, or any Pharmacy employee who you would like to upskill for management or operational responsibilities.


The programme will run twice a year, in Spring and Autumn


ACCESSNI CHECK SERVICE


AccessNI run criminal background checks on behalf of employers for eligible roles: • Standard check = Pharmacy Technicians and Delivery Driver


• Enhanced checks = Pharmacist and Foundation Trainee Pharmacist


If your business has less than 20 checks per year, you need to use an Umbrella Body, such as UCA-NI, to help you complete this process.


UCA-NI Umbrella Body Service provides: information and guidance, plus template documents with guidance for you and your employees on how to apply for the checks and next steps once the checks are complete.


Find out more in the Recruitment area on the UCA-NI website www.ucani.co.uk or contact Adrienne Clugston – adrienne@ucani.co.uk


MINIMUM WAGE + FTY GRANT


New rates from April 2026 16-17 years 18-20 years 21 years +


£8.00 £10.85


£12.71ph*


*The salary element of the FTY grant is currently calculated as: National Living Wage for 21+ x 37hrs per week. The increase, effective from April 2026, will be applied to the FTY grant payment for the February to July cohort.


However, if you employ your Foundation Trainee for more than 37 hours per week, please ensure that their salary is still at least equivalent to the NLW rate for 21+ (£12.71ph from Apr 26) x the number of hours worked each week to ensure that you are abiding by national minimum wage requirements.


Note that protected study time is considered part of their working week.


PHARMACY ASSISTANT APPRENTICESHIP


UCA-NI and Global Horizon Skills are offering Level 2 Pharmacy Services Apprenticeship suitable for staff working on the pharmacy counter and within the dispensary.


• For paid employees working≥ 21hrs per week • Fully funded training programme


• No age restrictions • No entry qualifications necessary • Fortnightly 2hr zoom classes with NI-based trainers


• Employer incentive paid on successful completion of programme: £670


Next cohort starts: Monday 16th March


Please contact catherine@ghskills.com for more information or to register.


You can also contact UCA if you have any questions.


pharmacyinfocus.co.uk 7 LocumOnline


Day 1: Successful Business Management Day 2: Effective People Management Day 3: Vaccination Training


For more information, contact Adrienne on 028 9065 6576 or email: office@ucani.co.uk


RECRUITMENT AND LOCUM MATCHING SUPPORT


UCA-NI has a large database of Pharmacists who are registered with LocumOnline looking for work across Northern Ireland.


We have partnered with Pharmacy in Focus to host the new LocumZone where Locums can view ads posted by community pharmacies.


To advertise your Locum requirements on LocumOnline, simply visit www.pharmacyinfocus.co.uk/recruitment/ to obtain credits (1 credit = 1 per LocumOnline advert).


Pharmacies recruiting for temporary or permanent staff are also having great success on the Pharmacy in Focus Recruitment page.


If you have a vacancy to fill, get in touch with Martin Murphy martin@pharmacyshows.com to discuss your listing.


Just recruited? UCA-NI has a range of template employment documents which you can download from the Docstore on www.ucani.co.uk.


Login or contact UCA for further information.


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