Level 4 Enhanced Practice Programme for Pharmacy Technicians
This post‑registration programme enables pharmacy technicians to develop enhanced practice skills across all pharmacy sectors. Gain specialist knowledge and capabilities through a structured, blended programme that can be tailored to your role.
Programme overview
The Level 4 Enhanced Practice Programme will equip you with the essential skills needed in advanced pharmacy roles to drive quality improvement, promote patient-centred care and lead with confidence through professionally-grounded, compassionate practice.
It includes mandatory and optional units, specialist pathways and blended learning designed to support progression into a range of clinically-focused and leadership‑aligned positions.
Who is the programme for?
The programme is for GPhC‑registered pharmacy technicians (or those qualified in Northern Ireland) working a minimum of 16 hours per week in a pharmacy environment and seeking to develop advanced skills for enhanced roles in the field.
The programme supports a range of roles across all pharmacy sectors, including but not limited to:
Dispensary and Pharmacy Manager
Medicines Management Pharmacy Technician
Technical Services Lead
Optimisation Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Procurement Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Educational/Supervisors/Lead
Manager
Specialist Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Service Lead
You'll require a pharmacy or healthcare professional to act as your workplace mentor during the course.
How the programme is delivered
We offer a ‘pick and mix’ unit format across the full programme and several role-specific pathways, allowing you to tailor the course to your position and professional development goals.
Learning is delivered through a blended model incorporating online learning via our b-Hive platform, independent research, individual and group tutorials, peer presentations and optional residential sessions, depending on chosen units. You will also engage with networks and communities of practice throughout the programme.
- Course information
Duration
Full pathway: 24 months (part‑time)
See Pathways section for details of specific pathway durationsStart dates
Enrolments open for September cohortStudy modes
Blended learning (online activities, self‑directed study and live virtual classrooms via the b‑Hive)Cost
See Programme Information PackProgramme level
Level 4 (post‑registration)Accreditation
Accredited by Open Awards
Download more information
Course structure
Communication Skills in a Healthcare Setting
Includes consultation models, person‑centred care, OSCE preparation, communication methods, adapting communication, overcoming barriers, professionalism, conflict, legalities, confidentiality, action planning, and evaluating information resources.
Critical Thinking and Professional Judgements when Making Decisions
Includes critical thinking skills, reasoning, assumptions and evidence, decision‑making skills, professional judgement, problem‑solving approaches, debating skills, and collaborative decision processes.
Clinical Skills Development for Chronic Conditions
Includes guidelines for diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, medicines optimisation, information governance, case study skills, clinical decision making, and presentation skills.
Clinical Skills Development for Antimicrobial Stewardship
Includes antimicrobial guidelines, prescribing conventions, antimicrobial resistance, microbiology fundamentals, infective agents, stewardship principles, case study skills, and presentation preparation.
Clinical Skills Development for Elderly Care
Includes neurological, renal and musculoskeletal conditions, medicines optimisation in older people, diagnostic interpretation, case study skills, and presentation skills.
Consultation Skills in a Healthcare Setting
Includes MDT collaboration, personalised care, motivating change, enabling patient choice, social prescribing processes, OSCE preparation, and report writing skills.
Screening and Testing Patients in a Healthcare Setting
Includes screening and testing services, diagnostic imaging, chemical and cellular analysis, physical examinations, drug and alcohol testing, NHS checks, antibody testing, and sexual health screening.
Vaccination Services and First Aid in a Healthcare Setting
Includes first aid response, basic life support, immune system conditions, vaccination types, PSDs, PGDs, public health vaccination services, aseptic technique, consent, record‑keeping, and safe administration practices.
Research and Project Management Skills in a Healthcare Setting
Includes research methods, evidence evaluation, academic writing, project planning, governance, stakeholder roles, risk management, budgeting, presentation skills, and action planning.
Pharmacy Aseptic Services
Includes sterile product requirements, aseptic legislation and standards, quality assurance/control, evaluating issues in aseptic settings, and generating improvement solutions.
Pharmacy Procurement
Includes procurement legislation and standards, purchasing contracts, stock control, supplier management, audit requirements, medicine life‑cycle processes, reducing waste, and organisational/communication skills.
Course pathways
The course is delivered as a ‘pick and mix’ unit format across the full programme and several role-specific pathways. The full programme will take two years to complete on a part-time basis with a commitment of four to six hours of study per week.
The course includes 11 units (mandatory and optional), covering the full programme and six pathways.
Full programmeDuration: 24 months |
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Vaccination and First Aid PathwayDuration: 10 months |
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Support Provision of Health Services PathwayDuration: 18 months |
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Pharmacy Procurement PathwayDuration: 10 months |
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Pharmacy Aseptic Services PathwayDuration: 10 months |
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Antimicrobial Stewardship PathwayDuration: 12 months |
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Research and Leadership PathwayDuration: 18 months |
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Course features
How to apply
To apply for the Level 4 Enhanced Practice Programme, please first review the Programme Information Pack to understand the units, pathways, time commitment and study requirements. Speak with your workplace mentor or line manager to confirm that you will have access to the required workplace resources, a suitable learning environment and the ability to complete four to six hours of weekly study.
Once you are ready to proceed, complete the form below so your eligibility can be confirmed. After your enrolment is approved, you will receive details for your online induction and gain access to your first unit on the b‑Hive learning platform.