Use of cross-sector apprenticeships in pharmacy: is it a sustainable quality education model for pharmacy assistants?

OBJECTIVES: To establish whether undertaking cross-sector pharmacy apprenticeship training to become a pharmacy assistant equally split across the two main pharmacy sectors improves training experience and cross-sector understanding.

METHODS: A mixed method approach was utilised to explore the experiences of 10 pharmacy apprentices, their employers and education provider. Questionnaires were used to explore apprentices' experiences and views following each 6-month placement. Seven pharmacy employers and the education provider were invited to take part in telephone interviews. Questionnaires were analysed using simple frequencies; qualitative data were analysed thematically.

KEY FINDINGS: Ten apprentices were recruited, and nine apprentices returned questionnaires from at least one placement. Three hospital-based employers, four community employers and one education provider were interviewed. All participants had found the pilot positive and the cross-sector training to have been a useful experience. Employers noted that the pilot provided the apprentice with valuable insight into the patient's journey and the opportunity to share learning across sectors. Employers also commented that more information regarding the nature of the training would have been useful to help better structure the placement for the apprentice.

CONCLUSIONS: This paper explores the benefits and challenges of employing a pharmacy apprentice and utilising a novel cross-sector training model. Findings have potential relevance to the training of other pharmacy staff, including pharmacy technicians and pharmacists. They offer early insights into the potential value of pharmacy apprenticeships for training pharmacy assistants, particularly if these are set up across the two main sectors hospital and community pharmacy.