Pre-Registration Pharmacist Training

Medicines Information

2017-2018

Name:

Template prepared by: UKMi Education and Training Working Group June 2005

Reviewed:June 2009

Review DateJune 2010

Template adapted by:Jane Basford, September 2016 (updated July 2017)

Contents

Section / Content / Page
A / Introduction to Medicines Information (MI)
- General Information
- About this Training Pack / 3
5
B / Objectives / 6
C / Timetable for Pre-registration Training / 14
Appendices
A Checklist for all pharmacists working in WMIC
B Telephone assessment (taking in an enquiry)
C Telephone assessment (giving out an enquiry)
D Feedback form / 16

A.Introduction to Medicines Information (MI)

General Information

We provide a local medicines information (MI) service to the Cardiff and Vale locality and a regional service to the whole of Wales. We are also a specialist centre for porphyria and complementary/alternative medicines.

The main local service aspect is to provide an enquiry answering service to local health care professionals in both primary and secondary care. Enquiries cover a broad range of subjects from dosage, preparation and administration of medicines to identification of foreign medicines; from advice on the adverse effects of a particular medicine to literature searches and critical evaluations of new or unlicensed products. Answers are provided in a format suitable to the needs of the enquirer. This can range from a brief verbal telephone conversation to a detailed written summary. We provide support to:

  • Secondary care staff
  • GPs
  • Community Nurses
  • Primary Care
  • Community Pharmacists
  • Cardiff and Vale formulary

The regional service involves:

  • Providing support to local MI centres in Wales
  • Development of training and education materials for use across Wales e.g. to pre-registration pharmacists at WCPPE days
  • WMIC produces various information bulletins and newsletters which are distributed to various health care professionals in both primary and secondary care across Wales and to other UKMI centres

As a specialist MI centre for porphyria we also receive enquiries from patients and health care professionals regarding medication in porphyria. We provide a tertiary service for complementary/alternative medicines which means we provide advice to regional MI centres only.

The patient medicines helpline is run from MI and provides medicines related advice to patients and carers throughout Cardiff and Vale UHB.

We work with AWTTC to help run the Yellow Card Centre (YCC) Wales. This is an MHRA funded service. Their main purpose is to promote the Yellow Card scheme to patients and health care professionals across Wales.

Medicines Information staff across Cardiff and Vale UHB

Fiona Woods / All Wales Medicines Information Pharmacist - Director
Alana Adams / Principal Pharmacist, MI
Gail Woodland / Pharmacist Team Leader – Delivering and Implementing Prudent Medicines Information
Anna Burgess / Pharmacist Team Leader – Enquiry Answering, Training and Patient Safety
Lindsay Davies
Diana Fletcher
Jenna Walker / Pharmacist Team Leader – Prudent Medicines Information
Specialist Information Pharmacist – Formulary and IP (Parkinson’s disease service)
Specialist Information Pharmacist – Pharmacovigilance and Patient Safety
Sara Arthur / Specialist Information Pharmacist – Enquiry Answering, Training and NPPG
Cerys Lockett / Information Pharmacist
Jane Basford / Information Pharmacist
Alex Bailey
Jo Hubbard / Information Specialist
MI Technician
Hannah Evans / PA to Fiona Woods/ Administration Manager /IT Liaison

About this training pack

This training pack is based on, and should be used in conjunction with, the Medicines Learning Portal and the Medicines Information Computer Aided Learning (MiCAL) package.

Medicines learning portal can be accessed via It is an open access site which doesn’t require a password and can be accessed from home.

MiCAL can be accessed via Click on the log in page and scroll down to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. You will be given a user name and password to access this resource.

MiCAL can be used in conjunction with MiDatabank trainer which is available on certain PCs within MI and on the PC in the downstairs seminar room.

You will be expected to familiarise yourself with the training programme prior to the start of your MI rotation and to complete the following sections of Medicines Learning Portal: Administration, Adverse reactions, Interactions, Drug Handling, and Children. If possible, please complete MiCAL section on Enquiry Answering Skills.

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B.Objectives and Performance Standards in MI

The performance standards must be demonstrated on a consistent basis during your rotation in order for the MI tutor to assess if the competencies have been met.

You do not need to complete a record of evidence for each enquiry you do, but only those which demonstrate particular performance standards over and above simply answering the enquiry.

Please discuss with an MI pharmacist, and your pre-registration tutor, at the earliest opportunity if you are having difficulty demonstrating any particular performance standards or gathering evidence.

MI objective / GPhC Registration Assessment Framework (if applicable) / Performance standard / Description of performance standard / Objective completed by: / Trainee’s initials / Tutor’s initials
Describe the roles of the staff that work in the Medicines Information (MI) Department / A2.4 / Use resources correctly / Be able to describe the roles of different members of staff in the centre
Be able to identify services other than enquiry answering provided
by WMIC
Complete compulsory sections of Medicines Learning Portal and MiCAL / A2.1 / Complete tasks effectively / Complete the following sections of Medicines Learning Portal:
Clinical Topics
Administration
Adverse reactions
Interactions
Drug Handling
Children
Alternative medicine
Inherited disorders - porphyria
Professional Skills
Calculations
Communication
Critical Evaluation
Decision making
Managing Medicines
MiCAL
 Enquiry answering skills
Advanced skills
  • Patient safety
Enquiry 9
Clinical tutorials
  • Pharmacy law and ethics

A2.3 / Follow work systems correctly
A2.4 / Use resources correctly
A5.3 / Make full use of learning and development opportunities
Demonstrate an appropriate method for recording answers to MI enquiries / 10.2.2 Record, maintain and store patient data / A2.1 / Complete tasks effectively / Be able to use MiDatabank correctly
Be able to store information on the W drive correctly
A2.3 / Follow work systems correctly
Demonstrate an appropriate method for taking in an enquiry / 10.2.2 Record, maintain and store patient data
10.2.5 Demonstrate the characteristics of a prospective professional pharmacist as set out in relevant codes of conduct & behaviour / A1.1 / Behave in a manner consistent with membership of the profession / Whilst taking in an enquiry be able to:
Identify the department
Identify yourself
Identify the enquirer
Elicit the appropriate information from the enquirer
Record the enquiry accurately
Confirm the urgency of the enquiry
Agree a suitable time for response
Agree an appropriate method to communicate the response to the enquiry and confirm the contact details
Confirm your understanding of the enquiry
Transfer problem enquiries to a more senior member of staff
Successful completion of telephone assessment for taking in a call
Be able to take in a patient medicines helpline enquiry
A1.3 / Recognise your personal and professional limitations and refer appropriately
A1.4 / Respond with willingness and flexibility to new situations and to change
A1.6 / Make decisions which demonstrate clear and legal thought
A2.1 / Complete tasks effectively
A2.2 / Approach tasks and situations in accordance with the law and with the Regulator's standards of conduct ethics and performance
A2.3 / Follow work systems correctly
B1.1 / Communicate effectively in English
B1.2 / Behave in a polite and helpful manner
B1.3 / Sensitively approach people who need or who may need assistance
B1.4 / Elicit all relevant information by the use of appropriate questions
B1.5 / Listen effectively to the whole message
B1.6 / Respect and observe confidentiality
B1.7 / Act appropriately in response to spoken and unspoken needs of others
B1.8 / Behave in a manner which instils confidence
B1.9 / Behave assertively
C2.11 / Refer, or direct the person, to a more suitable source of help or information when necessary
Demonstrate ability to deal with incoming enquiries / 10.2.5 Demonstrate the characteristics of a prospective professional pharmacist as set out in relevant codes of conduct & behaviour / A1.3 / Recognise your personal and professional limitations and refer appropriately / Be able to deal with enquiries from patients via the patient medicines helpline
Be able to transfer/refer to more senior colleagues when appropriate
Be able to communicate urgency of referral
A1.5 / Remain composed and personally effective in all situations
A1.6 / Make decisions which demonstrate clear and legal thought
A1.8 / Amend your behaviour, when necessary, based on evaluation of your performance
by yourself or others
A2.1 / Complete tasks effectively
A2.3 / Follow work systems correctly
A3.1 / Recognise and define actual or potential problems
B2.1 / Acknowledge the ideas and opinions of others and act on them when appropriate
B2.5 / Secure help from others when necessary in an appropriate manner
B2.7 / Delegate tasks appropriately
Demonstrate an appropriate search strategy to investigate and answer the MI enquiry under the guidance of more experienced MI staff / 10.1 Apply the principles of clinical governance in practice
10.2.1 Access and critically evaluate evidence to support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines
10.2.1 Apply knowledge of current pharmacy-related policy to improve health outcomes
10.2.2 Provide, monitor and modify prescribed treatment to maximise health outcomes
10.2.2 Record, maintain and store patient data / A1.6 / Make decisions which demonstrate clear and legal thought / Be able to gather data from a variety of sources
Be able to critically analyse data that has been collected
Be able to formulate an answer to an enquiry where the data is not clear cut
Attend a critical appraisal session with Alex (our information scientist)
Have an awareness of how to search Medline, Embase and the Cochrane library
A2.1 / Complete tasks effectively
A2.3 / Follow work systems correctly
A2.4 / Use resources correctly
A3.1 / Recognise and define actual or potential problems
A3.2 / Identify workable options to solve the problem
A3.3 / Select the best solutions, based on sound analysis and appropriate evidence
A3.4 / Suggest and, if appropriate, implement solutions to problems
A4.6 / Base your actions, advice and decisions on evidence
A4.7 / Obtain and process the evidence you need to meet standard A4.6
C2.1 / Provide considered and correct answers to queries, founded on research based advice
Demonstrate the ability to answer the enquiry within the time frame as agreed with senior colleagues / 10.2.5 Demonstrate the characteristics of a prospective professional pharmacist as set out in relevant codes of conduct & behaviour / A1.2 / Manage your time effectively / Be able to allow sufficient time to complete an enquiry allowing for checking and amendments to be made
Be able to communicate when this may not happen
Demonstrate the ability to prioritise workload
A1.3 / Recognise your personal and professional limitations and refer appropriately
A1.5 / Remain composed and personally effective in all situations
A2.1 / Complete tasks effectively
B2.3 / Meet commitments made to others within agreed deadlines
B2.5 / Secure help from others when necessary in an appropriate manner
Provide evidence of knowledge on how to answer a range of MI enquiries (under supervision from a registered MI pharmacist) / 10.1Apply the principles of clinical governance in practice
10.2.1 Access and critically evaluate evidence to support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines
10.2.1 Apply knowledge of current pharmacy-related policy to improve health outcomes
10.2.2 Instruct patients in the safe and effective use of their medicines and devices
10.2.2 Provide, monitor and modify prescribed treatment to maximise health outcomes / A2.2 / Approach tasks and situations in accordance with the law and with the Regulator's standards of conduct ethics and performance / Have answered (in real life, or in the absence of a real enquiry using MiCAL)
Essential:
Administration / dose
Adverse drug reactions
Drug selection and dosage
Drug availability and supply
Drug interactions
If possible, a range of the following:
Injection compatibility
Drug identification – foreign, tablet ID
Formulation and excipients
Indications / contra-indications
Paediatric dosage and administration
Pharmacology / pharmacokinetics
Stability and storage
Alternative medicines (including homeopathic and herbals)
Know how to handle enquiries involving:
Poisoning
Porphyria
A2.3 / Follow work systems correctly
A2.4 / Use resources correctly
A3.1 / Recognise and define actual or potential problems
A3.2 / Identify workable options to solve the problem
A3.3 / Select the best solutions, based on sound analysis and appropriate evidence
A3.4 / Suggest and, if appropriate, implement solutions to problems
A4.1 / Work to an acceptable standard when preparing products and delivering services
A4.2 / Check your own work effectively
A4.6 / Base your actions, advice and decisions on evidence
A4.7 / Obtain and process the evidence you need to meet standard A4.6
A5.3 / Make full use of learning and development opportunities
A5.7 / Apply learning to practice
B1.11 / Provide information and advice appropriate to the needs of the recipient
B2.2 / Present your own ideas and opinions appropriately when speaking and in writing
B2.3 / Meet commitments made to others within agreed deadlines
B2.5 / Secure help from others when necessary in an appropriate manner
C2.1 / Provide considered and correct answers to queries, founded on research based advice
C2.4 / Actively provide information and advice to healthcare professionals
C2.7 / Recognise possible adverse drug reactions, evaluate risks and take action accordingly
C2.11 / Refer, or direct the person, to a more suitable source of help or information when necessary
Demonstrate a range of techniques for answering an enquiry / 10.2.1 Access and critically evaluate evidence to support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines
10.2.1 Apply knowledge of current pharmacy-related policy to improve health outcomes / A2.1 / Complete tasks effectively / Be able to answer enquiries:
In written format (email, letter)
Verbally (in person or by telephone)
Complete the telephone assessment for answering an enquiry
Be able to respond to any further information required by the enquirer
A4.1 / Work to an acceptable standard when preparing products and delivering services
B1.1 / Communicate effectively in English
B1.2 / Behave in a polite and helpful manner
B1.7 / Act appropriately in response to spoken and unspoken needs of others
B1.8 / Behave in a manner which instils confidence
B1.11 / Provide information and advice appropriate to the needs of the recipient
B2.3 / Meet commitments made to others within agreed deadlines
C2.4 / Actively provide information and advice to healthcare professionals
Show familiarity with departmental information sources / 10.2.1 Access and critically evaluate evidence to support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines
10.2.1 Apply knowledge of current pharmacy-related policy to improve health outcomes / A2.4 / Use resources correctly / Be able to locate and use:
Good prescribing guide
Clinical portal
CAVWEB
Guidelines
FAQs
Local IV guidelines on eIV guide
Cardiff Vale formulary
A4.7 / Obtain and process the evidence you need to meet standard A4.6
Demonstrate the ability to use appropriately a range of reference books and electronic sources or an awareness of the circumstances when each might be used / 10.2.1 Access and critically evaluate evidence to support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines
10.2.1 Apply knowledge of current pharmacy-related policy to improve health outcomes / A2.3 / Follow work systems correctly / Be able to confidently use:
MiDatabank
BNF / BNFc
eMC
MicroMedex
Martindale
Medicines Complete
Stockley’s Drug Interactions
Trissel’s Handbook of Injectable Drugs
Evelina London Paediatric Formulary
Drugs in Pregnancy and Breast Feeding (Schaefer, Briggs)
NICE Evidence
SPS website
Have an awareness of:
TicTac
TRAVAX
Medline
Embase
Cochrane library
A2.4 / Use resources correctly
A4.7 / Obtain and process the evidence you need to meet standard A4.6
Be aware of external sources of specialist medicines information / 10.2.1 Access and critically evaluate evidence to support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines
10.2.1 Apply knowledge of current pharmacy-related policy to improve health outcomes / A2.4 / Use resources correctly / Be aware of how to contact/access:
Poisons unit
Specialist MI centres
Manufacturers MI departments
RPS members enquiry service
NICE
MHRA
C2.11 / Refer, or direct the person, to a more suitable source of help or information when necessary
Demonstrate a knowledge of adverse drug reaction reporting / 10.2.2 Provide, monitor and modify prescribed treatment to maximise health outcomes / A2.3 / Follow work systems correctly / Submit a Yellow card via Midatabank
Understand the role of YCC
C2.7 / Recognise possible adverse drug reactions, evaluate risks and take action accordingly
Describe the specialist/tertiary role of WMIC / A5.3 / Make full use of learning and development opportunities / Understand WMIC’s role in answering
Porphyria enquiries
Complementary medicines enquiries
Be aware of the pharmacist’s professional responsibility, legal and ethical liability with regards to answering MI enquiries / 10.1 Apply the principles of clinical governance in practice
10.2.5 Demonstrate the characteristics of a prospective professional pharmacist as set out in relevant codes of conduct and behaviour / A1.1 / Behave in a manner consistent with membership of the profession / Completion of the ethical dilemma section on medicines learning portal
Completion of the ethical dilemma section of MiCAL
Be aware of error reporting in MI (IRMIS)
Read the UKMI Limitations of Common Information Sources
A1.7 / Take responsibility for, and accept outcomes of, your own decisions

OPTIONAL TASKS (IF TIME ALLOWS)

MI objective / Future pharmacist standard (if appropriate) / Performance standard / Description of performance standard / Objective completed by: / Trainee’s initials / Tutor’s initials
Complete optional sections of Medicines Learning Portal and MiCAL / A2.1 / Complete tasks effectively / If possible complete MiCAL enquiries 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 16 and 17 to go with the compulsory medicines learning portal activities.
Also look at Medicines Learning Portal sections or MiCAL Clinical Tutorials:
  1. Renal/Drugs in Kidney Disease
  2. Liver/Drugs in Liver Disease
  3. Injection compatibility
  4. Breastfeeding
  5. Pregnancy
  6. Palliative Care
  7. Mental Health/Drugs in Psychiatry
  8. Excipients/Pharmaceuticals
MiCAL enquiries numbered 1, 6, 10, 12, 18 and 19 to go with the above.
A2.3 / Follow work systems correctly
A2.4 / Use resources correctly
A5.3 / Make full use of learning and development opportunities

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C.Timetable for Pre-registration Training

You will be spending a total of two months in MI. One month of afternoon sessions (2.00pm-5.00pm)followed by one month of morning sessions (9.30am-1.00pm).