Foundation pharmacist trainee programme
Pharmacists work in multi-disciplinary teams supplying and supporting the safe and effective use of medicines. Pharmacists complete five years initial training to register as a pharmacist. Usually this is four years completing the MPharm and a fifth foundation year (previously known as the pre-registration year) in the workplace.
In January 2021 the professional regulator, General Pharmaceutical Council, published the Initial Education and Training Standards of Pharmacists reforms (IEPT). These reforms alongside the NHS People Plan highlight the importance that transformation of early careers training is essential to delivering a 21st century health service.
HEE in the Midlands will deliver a new pharmacist foundation trainee programme from September 2022. This programme will be designed to increase inclusion in foundation education, maximising the use of technology with dedicated educators and peer networks in our new integrated care systems.
If you are looking for an innovative Foundation Year where you can work collaboratively in multi disciplinary teams, experience new ways of learning and feel that you belong to our pharmacy and NHS community – look no further than the Midlands.
The Midlands Foundation Programme Brochure, attached at the bottom of this page, gives a list of trainee foundation pharmacy posts across the Midlands.
Features of our Midlands foundation training programme
- Learning facilitators embedded in each integrated care system, creating local HEE and peer support
- Learning platform facilitating efficient organisation of live, online and peer learning
- Communities of practice, peer networks, focus on remote access to improve environmental sustainability and equity of access
- Regular teaching based in our integrated care system localities to foster belonging, and peer / individual support
- National e-portfolio access and support
- Comprehensive learning programme that covers core curriculum, professional development, consultation skills and leadership
- Quality assured experience in the workplace
- Support aligned to foundation exam for successful registration as a pharmacist
- Health and wellbeing and pastoral support enhanced access offer
- Promoting cross sector placement experiences
- Trainee and educator feedback
- Future vision to expand access offer across all pharmacy sectors
Foundation programme resources and ways of learning:
- The HEE national resources include your e-portfolio, virtual learning and the Foundation Year practice based assessment strategy and supporting information.
- The Midlands blended approach will include: online live learning, face to face sessions for essential learning such as diagnostic skills and first aid, small groups online or in your integrated care system, online learning that you can access at a time convenient for you. Resources will support you to complete the requirements of the foundation
- Learning in the workplace is an essential element of the foundation year to evidence completing the curriculum and learning outcomes. We support foundation year placements in more than one sector of pharmacy practice to support trainees to develop a broad experience and flexible skills. ‘Cross sector’ placements include a period working in general practice and you can find out how to apply and what to expect.
Supporting educators and learners
We offer a quality learning experience and effective supervision for trainees, learners and pharmacy professionals as they move through their careers.
Core skills for pharmacy practice and educational supervisors has been developed by HEE to embed high quality clinical and educational supervision across the pharmacy workforce. This programme is now available on the eLearning For Health (eLFH) website and includes:
- Core skills for pharmacy clinical and educational supervisors
- Advanced skills for pharmacy clinical and educational supervisors
Pharmacy professionals can log into eLFH via Athens, CPPE or create an eLFH account using a work email address.
