Boots Pharmacy Support Colleague Programmes

PROGRAMME REGULATIONS

PROGRAMME REGULATIONS
REGISTRATION:
1.1. In order to work in a Boots pharmacy, colleagues must meet the minimum training requirements of the
GPhC. This means they must be qualified in the relevant units appropriate for their role to a standard
which is or equivalent to the Pharmacy National Occupational Standards (NOS) RQF Level 2/SQCF Level 5
in Scotland.
1.2. All trainees must be registered onto the appropriate programme within their first three months of
working in the pharmacy.
1.3. Trainees must work the equivalent of at least 5.5 hours per week in the pharmacy for the duration of
their programme.
1.4. Trainees are registered onto the programme using the Pharmacy Support Colleague (PSC) Programme (s)
Registration form on Boots Live. This includes the following programmes:
• Pharmacy Advisor Programme (PAP)
• Dispensing Programme (DP)
• Healthcare Advisor Programme (HAP)
• Dispensing Support Pharmacy Programme (DSPOP)
1.5. Trainees will require a named designated supervisor whose details are needed for registration. The
criteria for being a designated supervisor are listed in criteria 2.
1.6. The information required for registration is:
1.6.1. Store number.
1.6.2. Trainee details: Trainee name, staff number, email address, current role, number of hours
worked each week, details of any previous healthcare or dispensing qualifications and
additional information regarding any special arrangements or support needed, such as oral tests
or extra time needed to complete the modules or sit the Module eTest Assessments.
1.6.3. Designated supervisor details: Nominated designated supervisor name, staff number, role,
GPhC/PSNI registration number and email address.

DESIGNATED SUPERVISORS:
1.7. The designated supervisor must be a practicing pharmacist or pharmacy technician.
1.8. The designated supervisor must work sufficient time, i.e. at least one working day (minimum of 5.5
hours) each week, alongside the trainee in order to be able to support the trainee through the
programme.
1.9. The designated supervisor must complete the Boots ‘Tutor Guidance part 1’ and ‘Tutor Guidance part 2’
eLearning modules on Boot Learning Academy.

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1.10. If a designated supervisor is unable to continue in their role as designated supervisor, they must be
replaced with another named designated supervisor who fulfils the criteria 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. The new
designated supervisor must inform the central Pharmacy Learning & Development (L&D) team within
three working days (this does not include Saturday or Sunday) of their full name, staff number,
GPhC/PSNI number and role. They do this by completing the ‘change of details’ form on BootsLive.
1.11. Designated supervisors should be chosen in following order of preference:
1.11.1. Pharmacist or pharmacy technician employed by Boots and working in the same pharmacy,
alongside the trainee for the duration of the programme.
1.11.2. Relief pharmacist working in the same base pharmacy, alongside the trainee on a regular basis
and for sufficient hours per week, i.e. the equivalent to one working day (minimum of 5.5
hours) every week for the duration of the programme.
1.11.3. Pharmacist or pharmacy technician employed by Boots and working in a different pharmacy in
the same locality as the trainee’s base pharmacy. The trainee will need to spend sufficient hours
i.e. the equivalent to one working day (minimum of 5.5 hours) per week alongside their
designated supervisor for the duration of the programme.

PROGRAMME TRAINING MATERIALS:

1.12. Boots will collate details of all newly registered trainees weekly. The trainee and designated supervisor
will be emailed and assigned guidance on how to access the programme their Boots Learning Academy
plan within two weeks of registration.
1.13. The designated supervisor and trainee will have their own user accounts on the relevant Boots platform:
• Pharmacy Support Colleague (PSC) Portal for PAP/DP/HAP - The accounts for these programmes
will be linked to allow the designated supervisor to support, track and sign off the trainee
throughout the programme.
• Boots Learning Academy for DSPOP - the accounts for this programme are not linked
1.14. The programme online platform contains all programme information, training material and activities that
will support the trainee through the training period.
1.15. The Boots digital platforms used for programme delivery can be accessed from all PCs and digital devices.
To access the programme the device needs to be connected to the internet.

COMPLETING THE PROGRAMME

1.16. Trainees will be assigned the following modules for the programmes below:
a. Pharmacy Advisor Programme: Programme Overview, Core, Healthcare and Dispensing
b. Healthcare Programme: Programme Overview, Core and Healthcare
c. Dispensing Programme: Programme Overview, Core and Dispensing
d. Dispensing Support Pharmacy Operative Programme: Trainee/Designated Supervisor guide, Module
1 and 2

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1.17. The trainee should work through the module sections in the order presented within the DSPOP modules
and PSC Programmes Core and Dispensing (if assigned) modules. Sections within the PSC Programmes
Healthcare Module (if assigned) can be completed in any order.
1.18. The designated supervisor should discuss all the activities and sign off (if directed) in each section with
the trainee at regular review sessions to support progression on the programme.
1.19. The designated supervisor will sign off each module before the trainee sits the Module eTest Assessment
for that particular module.
1.20. It should take the trainee (if working full-time) an average of:
a. Pharmacy Advisor Programme: eight months
b. Healthcare Advisor Programme: 6 months
c. Dispensing Programme: 6 months
d. Dispensing Support Pharmacy Operative Programme: 6 months
If trainees are working less than full time hours, their expected training completion time will be adjusted
accordingly. In extenuating circumstances, e.g. long term absence or maternity leave (this list is not
exhaustive), training time can be extended by contacting the central Coots Pharmacy Learning &
Development (L&D) team, who will review the case and set a new completion date if necessary.

2. PROGRAMME UPDATES
2.1. The central Boots Pharmacy L&D team will use programme insight including trainee and designated
supervisor feedback to influence updates on the programme.
2.2. The central Boots Pharmacy L&D team will review and update the programme content, activities and
assessments on an annual basis or as appropriate to ensure the programme remains current to reflect
any important developments e.g. legislation changes.
2.3. Any important updates, such as legislation changes will implemented as they arise and will become
available immediately.

3. ASSESSMENT
3.1. The programme uses performance standards as an assessment of the trainee’s practical skills (measured
against company SOPs and GPhC learning outcomes as appropriate to the section covered) and formal
Module eTest Assessments to assess the trainee’s knowledge and application of that knowledge.

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4. ASSESSMENT OF PRACTICAL COMPETENCE

4.1. Trainees must show competence in the practical skills needed in the pharmacy.
4.2. The skills required are listed as the ‘performance standards’ and include the desired level of the generic
GPhC learning outcomes needed by all pharmacy staff.
4.3. Trainees must demonstrate that they are competent. The designated supervisor must observe the trainee
completing the specified process step(s) outlined by the performance standard/GPhC learning outcome
and/or ask the trainee questions to test their understanding.

5. ETEST ASSESSMENTS
5.1. Trainees will be assigned a Module eTest Assessment after each of the following modules for the
programmes below:
a. Pharmacy Advisor Programme: Core, Healthcare and Dispensing: Three eTest assessments.
b. Healthcare Programme: Core and Healthcare: Two eTest assessments.
c. Dispensing Programme: Core and Dispensing: Two eTest assessments.
d. Dispensing Support Pharmacy Operative Programme Modules 1 & 2: Two assessments.
5.2. The trainee must carry out their eTest assessment under exam conditions as outlined in criteria 9.
5.3. The trainee will have three attempts at each eTest for each module.
5.4. If the trainee fails the first attempt, the trainee will be offered a second attempt with the advice that they
take a minimum of 2 weeks to review the module sections and discuss their performance with their
designated supervisor before sitting their second attempt. The trainee will be given feedback on the
areas of the assessment they failed, to provide guidance on the particular sections of the module they
need to revisit.
5.5. If the trainee fails the second attempt, they will be locked out of their eTest for that module and directed
to a review with their designated supervisor. During this review the designated supervisor must consider
the reasons why the trainee has not passed the assessment and agree whether to continue onto the third
and final attempt of the eTest. The designated supervisor must then contact the central Boots Pharmacy
L&D team by email: learninganddevelopment@boots.co.uk to inform them of the outcome of the review
and next steps i.e. – to release the third eTest or to remove the trainee from the programme. In the event
of a third attempt, it will be made clear to the designated supervisor that this is the trainee’s final
attempt and if the trainee fails this attempt; they can no longer continue on the programme.
5.6. If the trainee fails the third attempt; they will not be able to complete the programme and their future
role must be reviewed. In this situation, the line manager will be responsible for determining the next
steps. This review may question their ongoing employment at Boots if alternative roles do not exist. The
trainee may find it helpful to consult the employee support services (LifeWorks).

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6. EXAM REGULATIONS
6.1. General Information.
6.1.1. The Module eTest Assessments for the programme are closed book assessments and reference
texts are not allowed.
6.1.2. The Module eTest Assessments consists of multiple choice question test.
6.1.3. Each Module eTest Assessment consists of:
– PAP/DAP/HAP: 30 questions.
– DSPOP: 20 questions
6.1.4. For each question; a correct answer results in 1 point being awarded.
6.1.5. For each question; an incorrect answer results in 0 points being awarded; points are not
deducted for incorrect answers.
6.1.6. 70% must be achieved to pass each Module eTest Assessment.
6.2. Results will be communicated immediately, once the Module eTest Assessment has been submitted.
6.2.1. If the result is a fail, the trainee will receive general feedback on the questions answered
incorrectly and the areas of the module they should revisit before sitting the next attempt, if
this attempt is available.
6.3. The trainee must complete the Module eTest Assessments under exam conditions, this means:
6.3.1. The trainee must be in a quiet room separate to the pharmacy, where they will not be
disturbed. If this is not possible e.g. the pharmacy does not have access to a separate quiet
room with internet access except on the shop floor, they must either:
6.3.1.1. Sit the assessment in another store where this facility does exist, under the
supervision of a pharmacist.
6.3.1.2. Arrange with the designated supervisor to take the Module eTest Assessment outside
of trading hours.
6.3.2. The trainee must not have contact with any colleagues while they undertake the Module eTest
Assessment.
6.3.3. The trainee must not have access to any training material or other reference material during the
Module eTest Assessments.
6.3.4. The trainee will have 60 minutes to complete each Module eTest Assessment.
6.3.5. If the trainee needs to stop the assessment for any reason other than those covered in 11.2, the
attempt will count as one of their three attempts.
6.3.6. The trainee cannot suspend the Module eTest Assessments and return to them at a later time.

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6.4. The trainee will only have the allocated time (60 minutes) to complete each Module eTest Assessment.
6.5. The trainee will not need any additional materials to complete the Module eTest Assessments (unless
they need support to read the computer screen), therefore no textbooks, documents, writing materials or
other equipment should be available during the eTest.
6.6. The designated supervisor is required to authorise and release each Module eTest Assessment
immediately prior to the trainee sitting the assessment. The designated supervisor will as part of this
process confirm that they have explained the rules for the assessment, and that the trainee has declared
they are fit and ready to sit the eTest at the agreed time.
6.7. The trainee should follow the instructions available on the screen during the Module eTest Assessment.
6.8. The designated supervisor will complete a declaration after completion of the Module eTest Assessment
by the trainee, to confirm exam conditions have been met and who has supervised the assessment.
6.8.1. The designated supervisor can give permission for another pharmacist or pharmacy technician
to supervise the trainee during their Module eTest Assessment in their absence.
6.8.2. The nominated pharmacist or pharmacy technician must confirm exam conditions are met to
the designated supervisor, for the designated supervisor to update the declaration.
6.9. The designated supervisor is also responsible for ensuring that the assessment time does not exceed 60
minutes.
6.10. If the trainee breaks the points 9.1 - 9.7 their Module eTest Assessment will be recorded as a failed
attempt.

7. REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS
7.1. All trainees should declare any additional support or special arrangements needed as a result of a
permanent or temporary disability or conditions Trainees are then contacted by the central Boots
Pharmacy L&D team to understand the best course of action to support the trainee. Trainees will be
required to provide a description of their disability or condition and the nature of the special
arrangements they need. The central Boots Pharmacy L&D team may then liaise with both internal and
external experts as well as request supportive evidence.
7.2. If the trainee wishes to request special arrangements to cater for a permanent or temporary disability
post registration, the trainee should speak to the designated supervisor and ask them to contact the
central Boots Pharmacy L&D team by email. The request should include a description of their disability or
condition and the nature of the special arrangements they need. The central support team may liaise
with both internal and external experts as well as request supportive evidence.

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8. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE ASSESSMENT

8.1. The trainee/designated supervisor can withdraw the trainee from the Module eTest Assessment attempt
at any time up to the opening of the eTest on the Programme Portal. Once the Module eTest Assessment
has been launched, the trainee is obliged to continue with the Module eTest Assessment or have the
attempt recorded as a fail.
8.2. If the trainee’s attempt at an assessment is affected by an event outside their control, for example illness
which they did not know about before starting the Module eTest Assessment or an emergency situation,
such as a power cut or fire alarm, this must be reported to the central Boots Pharmacy L&D team. The
designated supervisor must inform the central Boots Pharmacy L&D team within three working days (this
does not include Saturday or Sunday) of occurrence and confirm this in writing explaining the
circumstances along with any supporting evidence.

9. RESULTS
9.1. The trainee will be notified about the result of their Module eTest Assessment immediately after
submitting their assessment.
9.1.1. If the trainee fails their first attempt, the trainee will be offered a second attempt with the
advice that they take a minimum of 2 weeks to review the module sections and discuss their
performance with their designated supervisor before sitting their second attempt.
9.1.2. If they fail their second attempt at the Module eTest Assessment, the trainee will be directed to
discuss the situation with their designated supervisor for further guidance.

10. ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT, PLAGIARISM OR CHEATING RELATED TO

THE PROGRAMME
10.1. If it is alleged that the trainee has shown misconduct, the qualification will be withheld until an
investigation into the situation is complete.
10.1.1. If it is found that no misconduct has taken place, they will be awarded the qualification once all
requirements have been met.
10.1.2. If it is found that misconduct has taken place the issue will be dealt with using the normal Boots
policies and procedures.

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11. FEEDBACK
11.1. The programme(s) will capture feedback by the following means:
a. Trainee and DS feedback
– At the end of each module
– After the final declaration
b. Stakeholder feedback – includes central and field team insights
c. Customer and patients’ insights –
11.2. Programme feedback will be captured at the end of each module from both the trainee and designated
supervisor.
11.3. The final evaluation form must be completed before the trainee can be issued a certificate for the
programme.

12. CERTIFICATION
12.1. The trainee will have completed the programme and receive their certificate on their Boots Learning
Academy account when the following tasks have been completed:
12.1.1. The trainee has been signed off as competent in all the performance standards within the
assigned modules.
12.1.2. The trainee has passed all Module eTest Assessments for the modules assigned.
12.1.3. The trainee has been signed off as competent in all the generic GPhC learning outcomes at the
levels needed for pharmacy support staff.
12.1.4. The designated supervisor has recorded condition 15.1.1 and 1.1.2 by Final Declaration.
12.1.5. The trainee and designated supervisor have completed the programme evaluation form.

13. MISCONDUCT RELATED TO OVERALL ROLE IN BOOTS UK

13.1. If it is alleged that the trainee has carried out any misconduct, such as plagiarism or breach of company
security rules (full list can be found in the Boots and Me – Employee Handbook), their qualification will be
withheld until an investigation into the result is completed.
13.2. Investigations will be carried out in accordance with the Boots PSC Programmes Escalation and appeals
process:
13.2.1. If it is found that no misconduct has taken place the trainee will be awarded their qualification
once all requirements have been met.
13.2.2. If it is found that misconduct has taken place their attempt will be deemed as a fail and the
normal company process followed.

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14. CONCERNS AND APPEALS

14.1. If the trainee feels the need to raise a concern or challenge an assessment decision or some other aspect
of the programme, the trainee should raise their concerns informally initially through their designated
supervisor then formally following the Boots PSC Programmes Appeals and Escalations Process.
14.2. If the trainee raises a concern regarding any programme content or regulation they believe may have
affected their progress on the programme, the trainee should raise the issue with their designated
supervisor, who should follow the Boots PSC Programmes Appeals and Escalations Process and raise the
matter with the central Boots Pharmacy L&D team for further guidance, decision and, if required, an
alternative solution.

Approved by Boots
Learning & Development

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