Trainee Pharmacists and University Placements
General practice is a rapidly developing sector of practice for pharmacy professionals.
Over the last six years there has been a rapid expansion in the number of GP practices that have a pharmacist working in a patient facing role. The NHS recognises the key role that pharmacists play in general practice; never more so than during the roll out of the national covid-19 vaccination programme.
The new Initial Education and Training of Pharmacist (IETP), published in January 2021 by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) will transform the education and training of pharmacists so they:
- can play a much greater role in providing clinical care to patients;
- are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to work flexibly within multi-professional teams;
- can provide clinical services and leadership expected by patients and the NHS.
The information below is for:
- PCNs and GP Practices in Cornwall who are looking to offer
- Undergraduate Clinical Placements in their cross-sector foundation training year as part of their MPharm degree
- MPharm3 placements for trainee pharmacists
- Summer placements in Primary Care Project
- Trainee Pharmacist placements
HEE are working with Schools of Pharmacy in England to support the introduction of cross-sector clinical placements as part the the MPharm degree.
Introducing clinical placements in the MPharm degree will:
- Meet the new learning objectives set out by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
- Build undergraduate students’ competence and confidence in working as part of multi-professional teams.
- Prepare pharmacy graduates for their foundation training year and registration assessment.
- Build relationships with stakeholders and potential employers to grow the pharmacy workforce.
- Provide tariff funded placements for undergraduate pharmacy students.
The Department for Health and Social Care confirmed the addition of undergraduate pharmacy students to the list of professions eligible for the education and training tariff from September 2022. This means that schools of pharmacy are now able to plan clinical placements within the MPharm degree that are supported by clinical tariff payment.
Initial focus on:
- Preparedness for education and training staff
- ensuring that pharmacy schools and providers of placements have all the information that they need to understand how clinical placements work, including contractual arrangements, quality monitoring, data gathering and payments.
- Educational activities that students participate in while on clinical placement
- The development of clinical placements is a critical part of effectively supporting the reform of the initial education and training of pharmacists. Describing how students can safely and effectively develop and practise skills in the clinical placement setting will move placements from being observational to participative.
Clinical tariff for pharmacy profession: Frequently Asked Questions
Applications have now closed for this year. Please check back in the Autumn for 2024.
Following on from the success of the Multi-Sector (GP Practice and Community Pharmacy) Placement last April, the University of Bath are planning to run this placement again in April 2023. This time, following feedback from our students and pharmacist tutors, it will run as a pure 1-week placement in GP Practice only.
The project is hoping to Pilot Test some ‘Entrustable Professional Activities’ (EPAs) during the next placement. EPAs are professional activities where the level the student if working at and the supervision input required are clearly defined. Bath University are currently leading on a consensus study on core EPAs with the aim of creating a list of these that will be used to support both Student Learning and Tutor Supervision during future Undergraduate Placements.
The project report from 2022’s placements can be found here
Practice Supervisor Training
It is recommended that any staff member that is supervising students undertakes the Pro Pharmace Practice Supervisor Training.
Sign Up Practice Supervisor Programme – ProPharmace
Application Form
Applications have now closed for this year. Please check back in the Autumn for 2024.
Following on from the successful Summer Placements in General Practice over the last few years, HEE have secure funding to support this again this year.
The placements enable pharmacy students to spend 5 weeks employed by a host General Practice. Whilst there is no payment to the host practice, the funding covers additional costs to the practice including employer NI contributions and a DBS check, where needed.
Placement Details
- 21 placements available across the South West (ideally 3 per ICS)
- 5 week paid placement (HEE Funded)
- Undergraduate pharmacy students who have completed Year 3
- Starting date 26th June 2023
- Initial induction and end of placement day (both online) to be hosted by HEE
Please watch the following video to see why students benefitted from these placements : HEE South Pharmacy Summer Placements in Primary Care Project – YouTube
Practice Supervisor Training
It is recommended that any staff member that is supervising students undertakes the Pro Pharmace Practice Supervisor Training
Sign Up Practice Supervisor Programme – ProPharmace
Application Form
Applications should be submitted using the following form.
Pharmacy Undergraduate GP Summer Placements Application Form
If you would like more information, or have any questions, please contact the following Regional Facilitators for Pre-Reg in GP, South)
Xenia Bray – xenia.bray@he.nhs.uk
Rhys Martin – rhys.martin@hee.nhs.uk
Caroline Murphy – caroline.murphy@hee.nhs.uk
Job Description
Job Description for Trainee Pharmacists
Register your Interest here
Practice Supervisor Training
It is recommended that any staff member that is supervising students undertakes the Pro Pharmace Practice Supervisor Training
Sign Up Practice Supervisor Programme – ProPharmace
Other useful resources
Pharmacist education and training | General Pharmaceutical Council (pharmacyregulation.org)
If you would like to discuss anything on this webpage then please contact:
Victoria Ling
CIOS System Pharmacy Workforce Lead and Lead Pharmacist for Education, Training and Development
Email: victorialing@nhs.net