NVQ3 - Anyway around this???

[Funkyhugg]

Hi!

Im a qualified dispenser and really want to make the next step in my career and do my NVQ3 and become a pharmacy tech. I work for an independant pharmacy and when I approached my boss about doing the course he told me he wouldnt help me. I even offered to pay for the course myself but hes not interested and I know he has the time to help me. Does anyone know if there is anyway whatsoever to do the NVQ3 without the help of the pharmacist in your workplace?? Im desperate to progress and feel im at a dead end now.

Thanks

F xx

[judiloe]

I did the course without any help from my pharmacist but did have help from fellow workmate who was nvq qualified.If you`re paying for course yourself can`t see why he would object and it is possible to do most of the work if you find the right books and have the help of the internet which is where I found most of the information I needed.Good Luck and hope you get a pay rise when you qualify which is one thing I didn`t manage!

[greenmonkey]

Hi Funkyhugg
When you do NVQ3 you have to have your work signed off by your supervising pharmacist so you may find it hard to do. Not sure if there is any way round it. xx

[lilly hunt]

i asked the same question can i pay? the company said no/put it to the npa but i recall them saying no! it is a shame when you are keen to get on! some companies do not give you a rise after all the hard work.this has changed recently as they used to.so you need to palot of your own time in!! you need to be able to progress as an act after to be rewarded.can you ask for a transfer to a store where you can get on? good luck.

[André]

Actually, you can finance yourself through NVQ/BTEC with Buttercups... and if your pharmacist wont sign it, you could always find a registered tech to witness and sign.

[dizzyb23]

I always thought you had to have a Pharmacist tutor, an internal verifier/assessor and the external verifier/assessor to be able to complete the course. But it may be that changing branches is the best thing. I've found over the years that some managers/pharmacists don't like their good staff to become qualified. This is usually because they think that they'll lose you the minute you get those certificates and they don't like paying out any extra money. The larger multiples are better for encouraging support staff to better themselves. Have you considered hospital pharmacy?? They usually start recruiting around August/September each year. And your pay as a student pharmacy tech in hospital is better than in community anyway.

[lilly hunt]

i think dizzy b is correct as i have eternal verifier did not think act or pharm,tech could sign anything off for you?i will seek guidance from npa as if this is the case i will use it as well due to time restrictions.lilly.

[André]

I always thought you had to have a Pharmacist tutor, an internal verifier/assessor and the external verifier/assessor to be able to complete the course. But it may be that changing branches is the best thing. I've found over the years that some managers/pharmacists don't like their good staff to become qualified. This is usually because they think that they'll lose you the minute you get those certificates and they don't like paying out any extra money. The larger multiples are better for encouraging support staff to better themselves. Have you considered hospital pharmacy?? They usually start recruiting around August/September each year. And your pay as a student pharmacy tech in hospital is better than in community anyway.

Depends what course you're doing, if it's evidence, you need an 'Expert Witness' which can be someone who is a Qualified/Occupational expert in that field, such as Pharmacist or Reg Tech - Then when you send off the evidence, the external verifier is the person who checks it at NPA/Buttercups, then they have an Internal Verifier who checks the external verifiers work.. Not everyones work is Internally verified or else it would take forever to get it all back. As for Pharmacist tutor, would be great if everyone had a pharmacist who would be willing to tutor, but most people I know are proactive, or at least had to be, so read up and taught themselves...
I definitely agree with the mindset that once you get the qualification they won't want to pay you for it, some pharmacies say they have no need for a technician, and some may just assume you'll leave and go to hospital once you qualify. Hospital for a trainee tech is the best of the lot IMO, you have the most varied job as a tech, especially if you're on rotation.

[dizzyb23]

Depends what course you're doing, if it's evidence, you need an 'Expert Witness' which can be someone who is a Qualified/Occupational expert in that field, such as Pharmacist or Reg Tech - Then when you send off the evidence, the external verifier is the person who checks it at NPA/Buttercups, then they have an Internal Verifier who checks the external verifiers work.. Not everyones work is Internally verified or else it would take forever to get it all back. As for Pharmacist tutor, would be great if everyone had a pharmacist who would be willing to tutor, but most people I know are proactive, or at least had to be, so read up and taught themselves...
I definitely agree with the mindset that once you get the qualification they won't want to pay you for it, some pharmacies say they have no need for a technician, and some may just assume you'll leave and go to hospital once you qualify. Hospital for a trainee tech is the best of the lot IMO, you have the most varied job as a tech, especially if you're on rotation.

As you can probably tell, I had the good fortune to do my NVQ 3 in hospital. Best years of my career to date for sure. The support was amazing. So many qualified people to help and support me. I've tried to do the same for any dispensers or trainee techs since then (the pay a little forward thing!!!). I've seen so many students struggle without hardly any of the help I received as they have been doing their courses in community. I'm assuming things are different when doing the NVQ3 in community.
If you can, get the student tech position in a local hospital. And then stay working in hospital. Best of luck to ya.....

[nicky]

Also in your reports you have to say you referred to the pharmacist , therefore the pharmacist would have to sign the report as he/she witnessed it.