NVQ 3 Pharmacy Services

[razorbladekisses]

I am currently working towards the NVQ 3 qualification. As a result of being unwell for quite a long period of time I fell behind. I am now having to complete the 2 year course in a year (deadline Mar. 2009). If I don't complete it in time I will have to start from the beginning because apparently the course is changing. I have just started unit 1 and the amount of work involved is way more than I would ever have imagined and that is just 1 unit! I just seem to be struggling with it and not really knowing if what I'm doing is right Is it really this intense or is it just me making too much work of it?

I'd really appreciate any replies. If there is anyone that has already completed the course that would be great

[johnep]

Just post any problems here and we will do our best to help.
johnep

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by razorbladekisses

I am currently working towards the NVQ 3 qualification. As a result of being unwell for quite a long period of time I fell behind.
I'd really appreciate any replies. If there is anyone that has already completed the course that would be great

If it's the NPA one - let them know as soon as possible and see if an extension can be made.

[razorbladekisses]

It isn't the NPA course. I contacted the NVQ centre within my work and they are aware how far behind I am.

Thanks for both of your replies.

[RegPharmTech]

Who is your course provider? They are usually pretty flexible. When I did the NVQ3 with Buttercups/Nottingham people's college the deadline was 5 years. Let me know if you have any questions course-wise. I'm an NVQ assessor.

[razorbladekisses]

I'm pretty sure it's City&Guilds. I've got until next March to have finished the whole lot. I'm determined to get it done

At the moment I'm stuck on Unit 1 Element 4 (I think) it asks about extemp. dispensing. I'm finding it difficult as I have never made up anything.

[RegPharmTech]

Hi, if it has units and elements it sounds like the NVQ. It's run by City and Guilds anyway. Is it practical evidence you're short of, like making an ointment up? If so you could always mix something like white soft paraffin and liquid paraffin, not for a Rx, just for fun. Cheap ingredients, your boss shouldn't mind.

[razorbladekisses]

Yeah, it's practical evidence that I'm short of. I need 3 different types of products from this list:

Topical preparations-I've chosen menthol 1% in aqueous cream. Never made it up but I'm sure I can describe it.
Oral liquid preparations I guess I can just pick any antibiotic for this one.
Suppositories No idea, never made any up
Powders ?
Capsules No idea, never made any up
Dilutions ?

It seems like I just need one more. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[lamzee]

dilutions--ephedrine nasal drops 0.25%

Use 5ml ephedrine nasal drops 0.5% and dilute with 5ml normal saline (eg steripod or normasol)

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by razorbladekisses

I'm pretty sure it's City&Guilds. I've got until next March to have finished the whole lot. I'm determined to get it done

At the moment I'm stuck on Unit 1 Element 4 (I think) it asks about extemp. dispensing. I'm finding it difficult as I have never made up anything.

It seems unfortunate that the course seems to require you to manufacture evidence.

Can't you check with the course supervisor to see if an honest answer that your employers SOP's require that all unlicensed extemp preparation be done by their specials manufacturer.

In which case the answers will be about how you place the order and inform the prescriber that medicine prescribed is unlicensed.

Jeff