Funded leadership training offers launched for pharmacy technicians

Health Education England (HEE) is offering pharmacy technicians the chance to develop their leadership skills with funded places on two training programmes.

This is part of work to ensure that the current workforce of pharmacy technicians benefits from increased post-registration opportunities to develop their leadership skills. 

Working with the NHS Leadership Academy, HEE is funding leadership training offers for pharmacy technicians on the Mary Seacole and Rosalind Franklin programmes. 

The training will enable the pharmacy technician workforce in all sectors across England to develop their leadership skills whether they are in their first leadership role or in a mid-level leadership role. 

Applications for the programmes, which start from February 2023, are now open and close on January 10. Successful applicants will be notified the week starting January 16.    

A total of 55 places on the Mary Seacole programme and 12 places on the Rosalind Franklin programme will be available to pharmacy technicians who meet the required eligibility criteria: 

1. GPhC registered pharmacy technician working in any sector in England. 

2. At least two years post qualification. 

3. Mary Seacole - first time leader in health and care in a ‘formal’ position of leadership with responsibilities for people and services.  This may include the following, as an example: 

• Line managing staff 
• Supervising trainees 
• Day to day management of the dispensary, pharmacy, or your area of work, including allocating work and / or co-ordinating rotas 
• Problem solving / managing complaints 
• Managing projects 
• Liaising with different healthcare professionals  
• Initiating or contributing to change in the workplace 

4. Rosalind Franklin - mid-level leader aspiring to lead large and complex programmes, departments, services, or systems.  

Eligible pharmacy technicians will also need to demonstrate (as a minimum): 

• The support of their line manager (evidence required). 
• Availability to attend the mandatory study days. 
• Evidence that you meet the eligibility criteria. 
• Commitment to use the leadership skills within your area of competence and expertise, for the delivery of NHS services as they emerge. 

Leadership training on both courses is available to pharmacy technicians who meet the eligibility criteria.

Helen Porter, Pharmacy Dean at HEE, said:

“These training offers are fantastic opportunities for pharmacy technicians to develop their leadership skills.

“It is so important that for the pharmacy workforce as a whole that these opportunities are available. It recognises the need for a cohort of senior pharmacy technician leaders and the vital contribution they make to patients and health care systems.

“The Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Support Staff Workforce Development Strategy demonstrated the value of post-registration opportunities and these funded places are a response to that.”  

More information is available on the HEE website.