“There is movement from training in community pharmacy to working as a pharmacy technician in other sectors,” a small GPhC-commissioned survey of pharmacy technicians has found.  

The survey of 142 pharmacy technicians who have registered since 2021, which was carried out by the Centre for Pharmacy Workforce Studies at the University of Manchester, found that while 45 per cent of respondents trained in community, just 25 per cent work in the sector now.

This is the reverse of the trend observed in other sectors. Forty-five per cent of the sample completed their initial training in hospital pharmacy, rising to 53 per cent currently working in hospitals.

And while just 10 per cent trained in primary care, the proportion of respondents currently working in that sector was more than double that at 22 per cent. 

The top motivation for becoming a pharmacy technician was wanting a job with good career opportunities (86 per cent of respondents), wanting to work in a “well-respected profession” (61 per cent) and wanting a pay increase (60 per cent). 

Ninety-four per cent of respondents said they currently work as a pharmacy technician.

The researchers said: “Considering pharmacy technician vacancy rates across the sector, further work to clarify roles and create career opportunities and progression in all sectors will be important for community pharmacy to retain its workforce.

“Pharmacy technicians will be needed in all sectors to support the changing and advancing roles in pharmacy and the wider healthcare system.” 

The UoM survey, which was commissioned to assess the impact of the IET learning standards introduced in 2017, found that 72 per cent feel well prepared for practice after completing their initial education and training, while a further 24 per cent feel prepared.

Those working in community pharmacy were particularly likely to report feeling well prepared (defined as 8 or above on a 10-point scale), with 82 per cent in this group rating themselves in this category compared to 64 per cent working in hospitals.

Those in community pharmacy were also far more likely to have completed an online course as opposed to face-to-face training, with 80 per cent in this group reporting completion of a distance learning course as opposed to 22 per cent of those working in hospital pharmacy.

“Trainees in the hospital sector were more likely to have a qualification at Level 3 or higher prior to starting their course to become a pharmacy technician, compared with community pharmacy,” the UoM researchers said.

Respondents reported high satisfaction levels with both their course providers – 90 per cent said their training had adequately covered the necessary skills and learning outcomes – and their subsequent careers, with 71 per cent “completely or mostly” satisfied in their current role. However, some respondents raised concerns about the level of support offered to them during training and poor work-life balance during their IET.

Interviews with employers found that recently qualified pharmacy technicians are “more comfortable with patient-facing roles” although it was also reported that the new courses “demanded much more of workplace supervisors”.

GPhC chief strategy officer Mark Voce said: “Given the importance of the work carried out by pharmacy technicians, it is essential that their education and training keeps up-to-date and reflects changes in pharmacy practice.

“We therefore welcome this research and will use the findings and recommendations to inform our ongoing regulatory work around the initial education and training of pharmacy technicians and assurance of practice for those already registered.”