Pre and In-Process Checking within Aseptic Services 2019 New

Entry Criteria

Primarily the training and assessment programme has been developed for appropriately trained pharmacy technicians but may also be used to accredit:

• Pharmacy Assistants
• Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacists
• Pharmacists

All technical services staff members must be given authorisation to participate in the assessment by the Accountable Pharmacist.

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) must be in place defining individual’s roles, responsibilities and duties.

Before entry onto the programme, applicants need to fulfil the following entry criteria:

The trainee must have:

• Recommendation and support from the Chief Pharmacist (or designated deputy) to undertake an accreditation programme based on the Nationally Recognised Framework for the Accreditation of Pre and In-Process Checking within Aseptic Services
• A minimum of six months aseptic preparation experience in current aseptic unit within the 12 months prior to commencing this Framework
• Demonstrated ability to aseptically prepare products accurately according to locally approved SOPs
• Demonstrated qualities and behaviours that are necessary to perform the PIPC role, including professionalism, accountability, accuracy, and effective communication skills
• A named Educational Supervisor who has completed the appropriate training and been deemed suitable for the role by the Accountable Pharmacist
• Demonstrated a good working knowledge of locally approved SOPs to the Accountable Pharmacist or Educational Supervisor

The unit must be able to offer an appropriate workload to enable the candidate the opportunity to complete accreditation within at least one product type e.g. Centralised Intravenous Additives (CIVAs), Parenteral Nutrition (PN), Cytotoxics, Aseptic Preparation, and Radiopharmacy in technical services. Accreditation in other specialities will require additional evidence collection and competency assessment.

PWDS has designed the entry requirements to ensure that the PIPC trainee has sufficient experience and has developed attributes and attitudes to accept responsibility of the role.

The programme for Aseptic Preparation in non-licensed units, pre and in process checking includes:

• Pre-evidence collection activities to develop the trainee’s understanding of their accuracy checking role
• In-house evidence collection
• Attendance at a regional Practice Development Day
• Local assessment interview and exam
• Regional e-portfolio assessment

The programme handbook gives further details about the structure and contents of the programme and assessment process. It can be accessed from this site, or is available in the file library of the e-portfolio.

The programme only deals with the pre process and in process checks within technical services. It is intended to be flexible, allowing trusts to implement it locally. Local standard operating procedures should be in place and GMP/QA systems should be adhered to at all times.