What is the qualification structure for the EDEXCEL Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills (NVQ) (QCF)?

Learners must complete all 14 units in Group A (Mandatory Units) plus 3 units from Group B (Optional Units).

• Develop the role of the pharmacy technician so that they can deal with routine queries.
• Enable the technician to be involved in professional discussions with the pharmacist regarding more complex issues.

You will be required to compile a portfolio of evidence of competence in your role. This will involve a variety of types of evidence to include:

• Observations by your witnesses in the pharmacy (your pharmacist or senior technician)
• Personal Accounts

These will then be assessed by staff at Buttercups Training.

Access to an Expert Witness is required in order for a learner to undertake the course. Their role is to observe the learner in the workplace undertaking tasks required to demonstrate competency against various Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria within the Pharmacy Services Skills Programmes.

They are not responsible for assessing evidence against the Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria. The evidence of competency provided by the Expert Witness observations is holistically assessed by the learner's allocated Assessor at Buttercups Training.

Who can be an Expert Witness?

This is detailed in the Assessment Strategy as follows:

• Registered Pharmacist, or;
• Practising Pharmacy Technician registered with the GPhC:
  • Must be occupationally competent in areas that they are observing
  • Must be able to demonstrate CPD
  • Must be inducted by Centre/Training Provider - this will involve accessing reference materials via a dedicated website, and then taking a short on-line test.