Something you may not know about me….I have worked in pharmacy for over 17 years. Since I’m only 33 that’s over half of my life! I started as a 16 year old manning the perfume counter and worked my way to the pharmacy and dispensary. I have been a dispenser for over thirteen years now.
It’s a job role that is constantly evolving. I’ve worked through shop refits, company takeovers, several management changes and even more system changes! I do like the challenge and it’s certainly not a job that could ever be called boring. It can be quite fast paced and intense at times but I do enjoy that pressure. It’s not just the change in systems that keeps us on our toes. We need to be up to date with the latest technologies that help us with our workload, but we also need to ensure our knowledge is current and reliable.
With the increasing pressure on NHS services, we are all advised to make pharmacies our first point of contact for minor ailments. We as pharmacy staff therefore need to ensure the advice we are giving is current and correct. As dispensers we need to be aware of new guidelines, new drugs and new safety regulations. You have to complete several NVQs to become a dispenser but after you have passed your course you soon find your learning doesn’t stop there. It’s a role that requires ongoing learning and development, also known as Continuing Professional Development.
Every year pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and advanced checking technicians need to “revalidate” their knowledge. The General Pharmaceutical Council tells us “Revalidation is a process which will help you to keep your professional skills and knowledge up to date. It will help you to show how you provide the safe and effective care patients and the public expect, as set out in the standards for pharmacy professionals”.
As part of this revalidation, pharmacy professionals need to submit four CPD records. For planned learning there are a variety of ways to further your knowledge, including attending a training session or shadowing a senior colleague. Another way is completing online pharmacy CPD modules. This can be done using an online pharmacy academy.
Health Professional Academy is an example of an online pharmacy academy that can make the revalidation process so much smoother. Their online CPD modules are perfect as not only are they free, they also offer certified CPD accreditation which can be used towards revalidation.
The modules are so easy to use and they’re great for furthering your knowledge. They have interesting and engaging modules on topics from eczema, head lice and dental hygiene. I actually found these interesting from a parent point of view, not just a pharmacy standpoint. You have the opportunity to do pre-learning reflections, then you read through the up to date, relevant information before completing a small test. You are then awarded your certificate.
The Health Professional Academy has a learning community of 11,000 registered users with a social community of over 20,000. They’re clearly doing something right!
From a personal point of view, the main advantage of using these CPD modules is the flexibility. You can complete the work at home, at work, even on the morning commute (if you travel on public transport). You can complete as much or as little as you wish depending on how much time you can spare.
The learning content on Health Professional Academy is all designed by experts as they work collaboratively with health care professionals and leading academics. All the health information included in the modules comply with the UK government guidelines (e.g. NHS, BFI, NICE). You can therefore be assured that the information is relevant and up to date, which is essential when offering advice to patients.
As a mum of three myself, it’s equally reassuring to know that as a sister company to Emma’s Diary and Families, the learning resources are coming from a team that know women and their babies best.
Disclaimer : This is a sponsored post.
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