Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Services Skills

1. Foundations of Pharmacy Services Scope, importance, and role of pharmacy support staff in health care.

2. Pharmaceutical Standards and Regulations WHO, NHS, OSHA, ISO 9001, and GPhC compliance requirements.

3. Dispensing and Supply of Medicines Prescription handling, labeling, and safe dispensing practices.

4. Pharmacology and Medicines Management Basic pharmacology, drug classifications, and safe storage.

5. Patient Care and Communication Skills Effective communication, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity.

6. Infection Prevention and Control in Pharmacy Settings Hygiene, PPE, sterilization, and safe handling of medicines.

7. Health & Safety in Pharmacy Practice Risk assessment, hazard identification, and safe working practices.

8. Documentation and Record Keeping in Pharmacy Services Prescription records, compliance verification, and audit readiness.

9. Teamwork and Professional Collaboration Working with pharmacists, doctors, nurses, and multidisciplinary teams.

10. Emergency Response and Crisis Management in Pharmacy First aid, incident reporting, and emergency protocols in pharmacy settings.

• Builds competence in pharmacy services and medicines management

• Enhances compliance with WHO, NHS, OSHA, ISO, and GPhC standards

• Strengthens skills in dispensing, patient care, and documentation

• Provides tools for audit‑ready pharmacy practice management

• Offers recognized certification to support careers in pharmacy services, health care support, and compliance consultancy

• Pharmacy assistants and technicians

• Health care support staff in hospitals and community pharmacies

• QA/QC professionals in pharmaceutical services

• Individuals progressing from HCSS‑313 (Level 3 Diploma in Health Care and Social Care Support Skills) or equivalent qualifications

• Assessment Type: Written exam + practical dispensing project + viva

• Format: MCQs, applied case studies, hands‑on dispensing project, and oral defense

• Total Questions: 80 theory + 1 practical project + 1 viva

• Passing Score: 70%

• Duration: 6–8 weeks (120–150 hours total)

• Certification: Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Services Skills (PHSS)

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.