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heyy guys i dont know if this is a stupid question but do pharmacy students need to take a medicines counter assistant (MCA) course or are we automatically qualified for this after first year? and at what point during studying this degree are we “qualified” dispensors, since we dont get a certificate to prove this(?) i felt unsure about applying for jobs that want people who went through MCA training and such because i dont know how qualified i am
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#2
(Original post by Zaki_)
heyy guys i dont know if this is a stupid question but do pharmacy students need to take a medicines counter assistant (MCA) course or are we automatically qualified for this after first year? and at what point during studying this degree are we “qualified” dispensors, since we dont get a certificate to prove this(?) i felt unsure about applying for jobs that want people who went through MCA training and such because i dont know how qualified i am
heyy guys i dont know if this is a stupid question but do pharmacy students need to take a medicines counter assistant (MCA) course or are we automatically qualified for this after first year? and at what point during studying this degree are we “qualified” dispensors, since we dont get a certificate to prove this(?) i felt unsure about applying for jobs that want people who went through MCA training and such because i dont know how qualified i am
Last edited by claireestelle; 1 year ago
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#3
Those on a pharmacy degree are in their own special category and exempted from the legal requirement to have the MCA or be studying towards it.
https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/s...a_sep_2011.pdf
Even a first year student is allowed to do stuff. A lot of students have been made to do the training dispensers training anyway. I think this is a good idea. It's upto whatever the RP and manager say ultimately. It is their 'professional responsibility' to make sure that any worker knows their **** and train them or retrain them (this bit is always forgotten) if required.
https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/s...a_sep_2011.pdf
Even a first year student is allowed to do stuff. A lot of students have been made to do the training dispensers training anyway. I think this is a good idea. It's upto whatever the RP and manager say ultimately. It is their 'professional responsibility' to make sure that any worker knows their **** and train them or retrain them (this bit is always forgotten) if required.
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#4
Hi Zaki - I am a pharmacy student but also have been a qualified MCA and dispenser for 5 years. What marinade said is true - you are exempted whilst doing your degree, so no job will should technically require you to do these courses. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
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thank you guys!!
i see thank you!! i asked was because i was interviewed for a job starting soon but thought i wasnt qualified enough and would have to undergo an MCA course and need proof of it, and may have confused my interviewer/RP now realizing that im exempt, when she mentioned me being passed first year and wouldnt have to go through MCA training i was like “huh?” in my head because i didnt have a certificate or anything and told her this because i didnt wanna appear as if i was lying or something but turns out i had a dumb moment and my profs never mentioned to me about it, (though i will revisit my notes for minor ailments and such anyway!)
do you have any tips or advice on what i should focus on as a student starting an assistant job who hasnt undergone MCA/NVQ training? thank you once again!
(Original post by cyiarik)
Hi Zaki - I am a pharmacy student but also have been a qualified MCA and dispenser for 5 years. What marinade said is true - you are exempted whilst doing your degree, so no job will should technically require you to do these courses. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Hi Zaki - I am a pharmacy student but also have been a qualified MCA and dispenser for 5 years. What marinade said is true - you are exempted whilst doing your degree, so no job will should technically require you to do these courses. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
do you have any tips or advice on what i should focus on as a student starting an assistant job who hasnt undergone MCA/NVQ training? thank you once again!
Last edited by Zaki_; 1 year ago
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#6
Know the RP stuff.
As it is summer mug up on antihistamines.
Pay particular attention to sops on sales of medicines. SOPs for dispensing.
If you work in a lloyds there is a book listing the OTC products which is quite useful to peruse through.
As it is summer mug up on antihistamines.
Pay particular attention to sops on sales of medicines. SOPs for dispensing.
If you work in a lloyds there is a book listing the OTC products which is quite useful to peruse through.
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#7
(Original post by Zaki_)
thank you guys!!
i see thank you!! the reason why i asked was because i was accepted for a job starting soon but thought i wasnt qualified enough and would have to undergo an MCA course and need proof of it, and may have confused my interviewer/RP now realizing that im exempt, when she mentioned me being passed first year and wouldnt have to go through MCA training i was like “huh?” in my head because i didnt have a certificate or anything and told her this because i didnt wanna appear as if i was lying or something but turns out i had a dumb moment and my profs never mentioned to me about it, (though i will revisit my notes for minor ailments and such anyway!)
do you have any tips or advice on what i should focus on as a student starting an assistant job who hasnt undergone MCA/NVQ training? thank you once again!
thank you guys!!
i see thank you!! the reason why i asked was because i was accepted for a job starting soon but thought i wasnt qualified enough and would have to undergo an MCA course and need proof of it, and may have confused my interviewer/RP now realizing that im exempt, when she mentioned me being passed first year and wouldnt have to go through MCA training i was like “huh?” in my head because i didnt have a certificate or anything and told her this because i didnt wanna appear as if i was lying or something but turns out i had a dumb moment and my profs never mentioned to me about it, (though i will revisit my notes for minor ailments and such anyway!)
do you have any tips or advice on what i should focus on as a student starting an assistant job who hasnt undergone MCA/NVQ training? thank you once again!
Don't sweat the clinical stuff, as what you need to know as an MCA/dispenser is minimal in comparison to a qualified pharmacist - 99% of stuff you have to refer to the RP anyway, even if you do know the answer, for legal/SOP reasons. This is what i mean about the degree being irrelevant. If you know the answer to stuff then good, but don't try to be the pharmacist, just treat the job as 'getting a feel' for life in a community pharmacy.
Try to actually be in the mindset of an MCA/dispenser, as when you become a pharmacist this experience will help you understand the roles of these team members better. I've worked for 4 different pharmacy chains and the SOPs are pretty standardised but every single chain (every shop even) will do things slightly differently.
Edit: I will add that, even if you haven't done the NVQs, don't feel afraid or like you don't know anything.
Edit 2: also, some pharmacists are shite and some are great. Learn to distinguish between them.
Last edited by cyiarik; 1 year ago
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(Original post by cyiarik)
Don't sweat the clinical stuff, as what you need to know as an MCA/dispenser is minimal in comparison to a qualified pharmacist - 99% of stuff you have to refer to the RP anyway, even if you do know the answer, for legal/SOP reasons. This is what i mean about the degree being irrelevant. If you know the answer to stuff then good, but don't try to be the pharmacist, just treat the job as 'getting a feel' for life in a community pharmacy.
Try to actually be in the mindset of an MCA/dispenser, as when you become a pharmacist this experience will help you understand the roles of these team members better. I've worked for 4 different pharmacy chains and the SOPs are pretty standardised but every single chain (every shop even) will do things slightly differently.
Edit: I will add that, even if you haven't done the NVQs, don't feel afraid or like you don't know anything.
Edit 2: also, some pharmacists are shite and some are great. Learn to distinguish between them.
Don't sweat the clinical stuff, as what you need to know as an MCA/dispenser is minimal in comparison to a qualified pharmacist - 99% of stuff you have to refer to the RP anyway, even if you do know the answer, for legal/SOP reasons. This is what i mean about the degree being irrelevant. If you know the answer to stuff then good, but don't try to be the pharmacist, just treat the job as 'getting a feel' for life in a community pharmacy.
Try to actually be in the mindset of an MCA/dispenser, as when you become a pharmacist this experience will help you understand the roles of these team members better. I've worked for 4 different pharmacy chains and the SOPs are pretty standardised but every single chain (every shop even) will do things slightly differently.
Edit: I will add that, even if you haven't done the NVQs, don't feel afraid or like you don't know anything.
Edit 2: also, some pharmacists are shite and some are great. Learn to distinguish between them.
(Original post by marinade)
Know the RP stuff.
As it is summer mug up on antihistamines.
Pay particular attention to sops on sales of medicines. SOPs for dispensing.
If you work in a lloyds there is a book listing the OTC products which is quite useful to peruse through.
Know the RP stuff.
As it is summer mug up on antihistamines.
Pay particular attention to sops on sales of medicines. SOPs for dispensing.
If you work in a lloyds there is a book listing the OTC products which is quite useful to peruse through.
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