NPA dispensary course

[[[disordered]]]

Hey there, i'm new to the forum but have been reading for the past few days and thought i'd join. I've just started my dispensary course with the NPA and wondered if anyone else was currently doing it as well? Just finished module 1, waiting for my pharmacist to check it before I can send it off, so ready to start module 2 now, would love someone to chat to about it! I've worked in pharmacy for 3 years now, just as a medicine counter assistant, and have just joined a new pharmacy where I am the main dispenser - I love it but its all so new! Anyway enough about me!

[moonlight]

wow well done, but how are you the main dispenser when you have not passed your dispenser course,there is a lot to learn before you can be confident and able to undertake all the responsibility of main dispenser i am on npa module 4 and am still learning something new every day,endorsing, cashing up at end of day, yet to do end of month gulp but i love it all,i also worked on medicine counter for 9 months before going into the pharmacy,started out front on reception and then gradually spent more time dispensing.good luck hope you enjoy it as much as i do, moonlght

[[[disordered]]]

I am the only full time dispenser. There is another trainee but she is part time and not even started her course yet. I do enjoy it! I've just finished module 1, and done about a 1/4 of module 2 - finding it hard to do the course and work full time as i'm so tired in the evenings!

[Koul Kougar]

Hi there,

I'm just starting module 1 of the NPA NVQ 3 course. It's reassuring to know that there are other people in the same situation. I am already a dispenser with Boots (nearly 10yrs), but have decided to get registered as a Pharmacy Technician. It's a little annoying that I have to go over training I have already done for the first few modules, but needs must! It is worrying that your pharmacy doesn't seem to have any trained dispensers? You must be good, for your pharmacist to feel comfortable with that situation I was the only trained dispenser for nearly two years a while ago and we did over 2000 items a week, so I sympathise with you!

Good luck and feel free to ask any questions

[craftycaz50]

You might be sorry you said that Koul! I'm starting to panic already and only done the personal statement!!! Think I need a bit more self belief :-)

[Koul Kougar]

You'll be fine I hate doing personal statements and think that's the hardest bit, so it'll all be easy sailing from here on in for you! It's not rocket science, and there is nothing in there that you won't be able to find out from your pharmacist or books you have in the pharmacy.

[craftycaz50]

Thanks Koul, I have a terrible tendency to automatically think I am rubbish at things! I get told off quite often for this :-)

[moonlight]

i think i would like to do the npa nvq 3 course when ive finished my last module of the npa dispensers course, and assuming i pass , but what is in the nvq 3 do you learn in more depth about the drugs their uses etc. i would love to understand more about the meds we dispense and uses find it all so interresting moonlight

[Koul Kougar]

Hi Moonlight,

If you get the opportunity, it's worth doing (as long as your pharmacist/manager are happy!) It is a lot more in depth and has dedicated modules of study based on catagories from the BNF. If you did the NPA Dispensary Assistant course, you will start from module 5:

Module 5: The Basics of Pharmacy Practice - Progression to NVQ 3
Module 6: Interpersonal Skills and the role of the Pharmact Technician
Module 7: Pharmaceutical Science 1
Module 8: Understanding Actions and Uses of Drugs
Module 9:The Gastrointestinal system
Module 10: The Genitourinary and Musculoskeletal Systems
Module 11: The Cardiovascular System and Public Health
Module 12: Dispensing and Formulation
Module 13: Production and Aseptic Procedures
Module 14: The Sensory Organs, Cancer and Vaccinations
Module 15: Pharmaceutical Science 2
Module 16: The Respiratory System
Module 17: The Endocrine System
Module 18: The Nervous System
Module 19: Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Module 20: Preparation for Registration.

This is the list from the new re-written 2 yr course, but because you have already started, I'm not sure if you will carry on with the old one. There isn't a massive amount of difference though Give the NPA a ring and find out.

Hope this helps

[moonlight]

thanks koul that looks very interesting just what i would like to learn next. at the moment having a problem finding a psnc special containers list to help me answer questions in module 4 of my course it says npa website (members pages) am not a member so cannot get info did go on psnc web site and found what i needed but would like the list to refer to at other times when a computer not available , any ideas please, moonlight.