Is it worth registering as a technician?

[tinx25388]

I'm nearing the end of my NVQ3, and am wondering if it is really worth me registering.

I was talking to one of the technicians at work the other day, and she says the pay is done by qualification, not whether you are registered or not, so there is no pay difference. Also the company takes a couple of months to reimburse you for the registration fee.

I have no intention of leaving the company soon, so is it worth me registering?

[Pharmanaut]

I'm nearing the end of my NVQ3, and am wondering if it is really worth me registering.

I was talking to one of the technicians at work the other day, and she says the pay is done by qualification, not whether you are registered or not, so there is no pay difference. Also the company takes a couple of months to reimburse you for the registration fee.

I have no intention of leaving the company soon, so is it worth me registering?

No-one knows what hoop any of us will need to jump through in the future merely to make a living.
I'd register with the GPhC.
Just my two tablets worth.

[kayco]

I too would register, do you not want to go to ACT eventually?

[crit care]

Is it not cumpulsory for technicians to become registered as well at some point in the future??

[kayco]

Technician is becoming a protected title therefore mandatory registration is July 2011 I think.

[crit care]

i think its a no brainer then....but depends if you want to be called a technician..if us as pharmacists have to do it can't see why the technicians should be able to opt out!

[kayco]

Well personally I want to be a technician by title and to register with the GPhC, I have worked hard, obviously not as hard as it takes to become and maintatin the role of a pharmacist, to get through this course, i doubt I will receive any financial pay related increase to my wages but i want the satisfaction and recognition from a dispensing assistant to technician. Also if registration is mandatory it may weed out the technicians who perform there role poorly - thats just my own view i don't know how others feel

[crit care]

i don't think registration should be linked to financial pay...you do your job no differently to an "unregistered" technician..Pharmacists don't get a pay rise when they register..

Once people do it for the satisfaction thats where problems may arise, as you could still be rubbish at your job (not implying that you are), but have the title of technician. Once registered then you become more liable as you have signed up to a set of rules and practices and have an obligation to protect the public.

[kayco]

sorry i didnt explain well, by payrise i was referring to a nvq2 to a 3 qualification. I am nearly through with the nvq3 but i am also a supervisor in my branch so i already earn more than a tech anyhow - not that i am complaining.

Yes, I do agree that upon registering you are held more accountable for your own actions - or should be! At the end of the day we are here to assist the pharmacist, if you have a crap technician who consistently makes mistakes that is then making the pharmacists life more difficult and the chance of errors slipping through increase, that dispenser/technician should have to answer to someone.

[tinx25388]

Thanks for your comments, I think I will stick to plan A and register. I think I just had the wrong conversation with the wrong colleague on a bad day! Its has, after all, been my goal for the last 3 years so it would be a shame not to!