Accredited checking technician jobs are closely related to pharmacy technician roles. While pharmacy technicians prepare prescriptions by selecting, labeling, and packing medications, accredited checking technicians are responsible for verifying the accuracy of those prescriptions. With checking, labeling, and packing now being formal procedures, accredited checking technicians receive specialized training to perform these tasks in a pharmacy setting.
Training to Become an Accredited Checking Technician
Training for accredited checking technicians is conducted through vocational schemes, with candidates often earning NVQ 3 or BTEC certification in the UK. During their training, technicians learn to:
- Ensure the medicine matches the prescription and is within expiry date.
- Verify correct equipment and processes are used.
- Confirm medications are packed and labeled properly.
- Maintain accurate records.
- Follow strict health, hygiene, and safety standards.
The program typically includes:
- Understanding legal and professional issues in dispensing.
- Working with other pharmacy staff.
- Performing supervised checking exercises.
- Completing a final project where 1,000 items are checked without errors.
- Passing an assessment conducted by pharmacists and technicians.
- Serving a probationary period under observation.
By completing this training, technicians gain the practical skills needed to accurately check dispensed medications. Generally, they only verify prescriptions prepared by others, not their own. In many cases, the prescription will also have been reviewed by a pharmacist to ensure overall accuracy. With experience, accredited checking technicians may even perform self-checking, provided their competence is certified by their dispensary manager. To maintain their role, they must undergo reassessment every two years.
The Role of Accredited Checking Technicians
The scope of responsibility for accredited checking technicians has been a subject of debate. Some argue against expanding their duties, believing that only pharmacists should handle tasks requiring advanced professional knowledge. Others support the move, noting that accredited checking technicians undergo rigorous training and play a vital role in relieving pharmacists from repetitive, labor-intensive tasks.
By taking on the essential but time-consuming job of checking, accredited checking technicians enable pharmacists to focus on clinical decisions, patient counseling, and other responsibilities that require higher expertise. Without their support, busy dispensaries would struggle to maintain efficiency and quality service.
In essence, accredited checking technician jobs represent a valuable vocational career that not only supports pharmacists but also ensures safe and accurate dispensing of medicines for patients.