The Pharmacy Vocational Training Scheme

The Pharmacy Vocational Training Scheme

Learning from experience, learning in practice.

VT2 General and VT3 Specialist training

July 2015

Contents

Background and introduction 3

Requirements prior to starting the different stages of Vocational 4

Training

Vocational Training : VT2 training – Generalist training 6

VT2 training : Generalist training guidance for completion of the

VT2 framework (V7 Sept 2015) 12

Professional and Personal practice 13

The Clinical Pharmaceutical Care of patients 13

Ensuring the Safety of Patient 15

Cost Effective Use of Resources 16

Dispensing of Prescriptions 16

Education and training and Development 17

Dispensing of Aseptic products 18

Information about Medicines 19

VT2 : FAQs by tutors and trainees 19

VT2 : Guidance on activities 26

VT3 : Specialist training 29

VT3: FAQs about VT3 training 32

VT2 and VT3 : FAQs about mini – CEX and CbDs 38

VT2 and VT3: FAQs about how to complete the VT 47

ePortfolio

VT3: FAQs about the Infection and Antimicrobial Stewardship 54

module

References, Appendices (Formats of evidence, VT2/VT3 assessment processes) 65

Background

The Pharmacy Vocational Training Scheme[1,2,3] originated in 1995 and is supported by the NHS Scotland Directors of Pharmacy, both Schools of Pharmacy in Scotland and The Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The Training Scheme was originally introduced for junior pharmacists within secondary care, with the view to provide them with a comprehensive structured training programme over a two year period. Over the past five years, the training scheme has been redesigned and redeveloped to meet the changing needs of the service. Developments have also included the introduction of Specialist Training Frameworks.

Introduction

The Pharmacy Vocational Training Scheme is a structured, work-based training experience for hospital pharmacists to enable them to deliver safe and effective pharmaceutical care. It is available for pharmacists working within secondary care within NHS Scotland. Currently available at Stage 2 (Generalist Level), it is being developed at two further levels;

·  Stage 2 [general/foundation training]

·  Stage 3 [specialist clinical training]

·  Stage 4 [education, leadership and research modules].

Pharmacists should have completed Stage 2 prior to embarking on Stage 3 training. However, it is envisaged that whilst undertaking Stage 3 training they may start a module within Stage 4.

There will be instances where the previous level of training has not been achieved and there are pre requisites to help where previous stages of training have not been achieved.

What is the aim of the Vocational Training scheme?

The aim of the Pharmacy Vocational Training Scheme (VTS) is to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary for pharmacists to participate fully in their post as a general (hospital) pharmacist. The emphasis is on developing competence (the ability to perform tasks consistently to the required standard) using activities in the workplace and a structured training rotation. The training is based on gaining experience by undertaking a task, demonstration of competence and reflection on learning from undertaking the task. This may require the task to be undertaken on a specified number of occasions.

Stage 1 (Pre registration training) training is undertaken in either community or hospital pharmacy.

Stage 2 (General/Foundation training) is for junior pharmacists (Band 6 or equivalent), who need to develop general skills and gain a broad experience in pharmacy practice prior to specialising in a clinical area of practice.

Stage 3 (Specialist training) is for more senior pharmacists (Band7 or equivalent) who need to develop more specialist skills, in particular clinical skills.

How do I register to start training or to become a VT tutor?

There is registration information on the NES Pharmacy website. Each year there is the opportunity to register for training, three times per annum, in September, January and May. Registration is online. After registering trainees are expected to undertake the relevant induction training prior to starting completing their competency framework. Details of the induction materials are on the NES Pharmacy website.

New tutors should also register online, three times per annum, in September, January and May each year. New tutors are required to register at the registration date in advance of them tutoring a trainee. e.g. a tutor starting with a trainee on 1st September should register the previous May and have completed the induction resources prior to tutoring a trainee. The tutor needs to also attend an induction session in Sept., January or May and needs to inform NES of the completion of the various induction resources.

After registration trainees and tutors receive a ‘Welcome e mail’ that details how to get started and induction activities that need completed prior to attending the induction training which is generally help ~3 weeks after the training start date. i.e. late January, May and September.

Requirements prior to starting the different stages of Vocational Training

There are some requirements that trainees need to undertake prior to starting their training

To undertake Vocational Training Stage 2 (VT2 training ), currently, the trainee needs to be employed in secondary care within the NHS in Scotland and they ideally should have undertaken their Pre Registration training (PRPS) within secondary care. However, this is not mandatory.

Prior to embarking on VT2 training trainees need to understand the fundamentals of aseptic dispensing, dispensing and the provision of pharmaceutical care. They need to have completed the following :

·  aseptic training - aseptic dispensing and checking processes, the aseptic environment , formulation and stability of aseptic products, the preparation of intrathecal injections (simulation for preparation of 3 products required.

·  dispensing training -the in- patient and out - patient dispensing processes

·  the provision of pharmaceutical care to patients using standard care plans and case study documentation provided (webinar available)

·  the Adverse Drug Reaction reporting modules (available on NES website)

In each instance they need to develop as a piece of evidence which is included in their ePortfolio after they have had a discussion with their tutor.

Prior to embarking on any module of VT3 Training, trainees need to have completed the following resources:

·  the provision of pharmaceutical care to patients using the documentation provided (webinar available)

·  the audit process (completed an audit, see NES CPD web pages)

·  the reporting of an analysis of a Significant Event (completed and SEA, see CPD web pages)

·  the process of Critical appraisal (completion of Critical appraisal modules 1 and 2, plus MCQs)

·  patient safety (webinar available)

·  risk management (webinar available required)

·  leadership theory (webinar or attendance at a course introducing leadership theory)

·  the Adverse Drug Reaction reporting modules (available on NES website)

In each instance they need to develop as a piece of evidence which is included in their ePortfolio, after discussion with their tutor / supervisor or Educational Supervisor.

Prior to starting a specific VT3 module, there are some further pre requisites depending on the specialist module.

All pre requisites should be demonstrated by having a discussion with the tutor after completing the relevant resource to ensure that the pre requisite is met. Where there is no resource, guidance should be sought from their Educational Supervisor

Frameworks for training

What is the framework for each of stage of training?

For each stage of the Vocational Training Scheme, the trainee completes a competency framework and provides evidence in the form of an ePortfolio.

Within VT2 training there are 8 Elements. All Elements are required to be completed.

Within VT3 training each framework comprises specialist clinical areas with the more generic aspects of training being covered in modules of Education and training, Leadership and Research.

What type of evidence can be collected?

A wide variety of different types of evidence can be collected within the VT ePortfolio. Examples of which are:

·  audit

·  case based discussions (CbDs)

·  feedback forms

·  mini – clinical evaluations (mini – CEX)

·  presentations

·  reflective reports

·  SEA

·  short reports

·  training plans.

Completion of Section forms (COS) are not required post 1st September 2015. Feedback forms have replaced the COS forms and therefore there should be at least ONE Feedback form within each Element within the ePortfolio.

What does the ePortfolio comprise of?

The ePortfolio is a resource to help trainees collect and organise their evidence online. The format of the ePortfolio has been designed to enable tutors and assessors to view the evidence in a systematic fashion. There are areas for:

·  forms - appraisal, rotation details, meeting with tutor, declaration of work and templates for; aseptic dispensing, dispensing services and medicines information

·  logs - care plans, case studies and reflective and action based logs

·  compilation of references (personal library)

·  resources (underpinning knowledge modules).

Vocational Training: VT2 training – Generalist training

Completing VT2 training ensures that pharmacists achieve a ‘well rounded’ ‘general’, structured training within their first two years of starting within the hospital setting. It also enables trainees to gain experience in some areas that they may not have been able to experience had they not been part of the training scheme.[4,5] VT2 training has been mapped to the Knowledge and Skills Framework.

The training is recognised by the Directors of Pharmacy and the Schools of Pharmacy (SOPs) in Scotland as well as Queens University, Belfast. For details of any Approved Prior Learning (APL) trainees should contact the relebant School of Pharmacy (SOP).

The training takes approximately 18 months to 2 years to complete during which trainees complete tasks and develops a variety of different forms of evidence to demonstrate that they are competent and meet a particular performance standard consistently. The evidence is collated into a ePortfolio which is then submitted as part of the assessment process.

Trainees who are unable to complete within the 2 years period should indicate an estimated date for final assessment unless due to exceptional circumstances this is not possible.

The training achieved whilst working in practice, provides the pharmacists with the opportunity to gain knowledge, and to develop skills relating to

·  Professional and Personal practice

·  The Clinical Pharmaceutical Care of Patients

·  The Quality and Safety of Patient

·  The Cost Effective Use of Resource

·  Dispensing Prescriptions

·  Education, Training and Development

·  The Dispensing of Aseptic Products

·  Medicines Information

For each rotation there are a specified set of competencies which are used to plan, conduct and evaluate the trainee’s performance.

There are also rotational practice activities which the trainee must complete, to help them achieve the competencies.

The rotation is also supported by ‘resources’ that help the trainee develop underpinning knowledge.

The workplace rotations are intended to be flexible to accommodate individual learning needs and service requirements. For example, experienced trainees moving into hospital practice from another area of pharmacy, such as community pharmacy, may be able to demonstrate their competence in some rotations in a shorter time than a newly qualified pharmacist. In such instances the previous experience should be recorded in the paperwork with ‘gaps’ identified and targeted as part of their rotation. All information relating to this should be included in their ePortfolio

Support for training

There is a variety of support available for VT2 and VT3 trainees when they are undertaking training namely:

·  locality tutors (LT) (VT2 trainees)

·  educational supervisors (Ed Sup) (VT3 trainees)

·  specialist tutors (ST) (VT2 trainees)

·  pharmacy Practice Education Coordinators (PECs) (VT2 and VT3 trainees)

·  vocational training tutors (VT tutor VT2 and VT3)

·  local site based trainers (VT2 and VT3 trainees).

The role of the Locality Tutor, Educational Supervisor and the Specialist Tutor are similar in nature with both roles having a remit for trainees within a designated Health Board area. However, the remit of the ES is wider than that of the LT in that they may have responsibility for trainees out with their Health Board area but within their area of specialist practice. The ST role describes senior pharmacists who have a remit for a number of trainees within a single smaller Health Board area. The ST relates to the LT or the ES with the LTs and ESs provide guidance and support to STs and tutors.

The LT/ ES also; delivers training sessions, attends National meetings as required, ensures that the VT curriculum is in line with service redesign and is involved in portfolio and final assessments where they may be required to be the Chair a panel.

The ST Specialist Tutors is expected to support other pharmacists locally during training towards Stage 2 of The Pharmacy Vocational Training Scheme within their sector of practice within their Health Board Area. This will involve acting as a role model in practice and supporting pharmacists with achievement of the competency framework, hosting local peer review sessions for trainees and guiding and advising the tutors of trainees. Support with this role will be available from your Regional Practice Education Coordinator (PEC).

Pharmacy Practice Education Coordinators, employed by NES, are responsible for different regions within Scotland and will meet with trainees shortly after registration to ensure that they are informed prior to starting training. They may also run local induction and peer sessions to ensure that trainees progress with their training throughout the 18month to 2 year period.

Vocational Training Tutors are experienced pharmacists. They are required to register with NHS Education for Scotland as part of the Vocational Training Scheme and are expected to keep themselves abreast of developments by attending at least every 3 years a Vocational Training Peer session at least every 3 years. They are expected to facilitate training but will not observe practice on a daily basis.

It is anticipated that tutors will meet with trainees on a monthly basis to;

·  review progress

·  sign off/discuss completed evidence

·  develop objectives

·  complete appraisal forms.

The tutor has a supportive role, and is involved in facilitating the trainee’s learning and assessing their development.

They do this by:

·  helping the trainee to identify their development needs

·  supporting, advising and encouraging the trainee during their training

·  undertaking