Your Foundation training
Managing difficult situations and overcoming challenges
The transition from being a pharmacy student to working full-time is challenging for most graduates. Add in the extra pressure of pharmacy Foundation training, which requires completing learning outcomes and passing a registration assessment at the end of the training, and it’s not surprising that many Foundation trainee pharmacists encounter problems and require support outside of their training environment.
Many of the issues that affect Foundation trainee pharmacists can be prevented with a bit of forward planning. In this resource we offer some hints and tips to ensure a successful Foundation training year. We will signpost you to sources of support and some of the resources available on the most common issues affecting Foundation trainee pharmacists.
Although some of the resources signposted to are specifically for applicants to a specific sector and/or geographic region, the majority of the advice contained within the guidance would be useful to all Foundation trainee pharmacists
Foundation training: issues arising
Deadlines
One of the most challenging aspects of Foundation training is keeping up to date with all that is required of you. There are numerous deadlines throughout the training and the GPhC Foundation Training Manual summarises the key points.
Missing one of these deadlines could have serious implications. The GPhC Foundation Training Manual is your definitive guide, and you should read this carefully making a note of your personal ‘critical dates’ throughout your training.
Key dates for Foundation training can also be found on the GPhC website
Top tip
Use a diary, personal organiser, phone calendar etc. to keep a note of all the critical dates. Set yourself reminders in advance of the deadline to allow time for any paperwork that needs to be done ahead of the deadline.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes must be completed and signed off by your tutor. This can seem daunting at the beginning of the Foundation training, but remember: they don’t all need to be completed at once.
You should be familiar with them from day one and gradually build on your knowledge and experience so that by your first progress review at 13 weeks some progress is documented.
Don’t leave these until the night before your 13-week review to complete! Start early and keep up-to-date: this will ensure you keep on top of the work and avoid stressful situations the night before a progress review!
Make a note of any issues or queries as they arise and discuss these with your designated supervisors at the first opportunity.
Top tip
Many Foundation trainee pharmacists focus on the GPhC assessment, forgetting the learning outcomes. Remember, you cannot sit the GPhC assessment unless your designated supervisor signs-off the learning outcomes as ‘satisfactory’.
Dealing with difficult situations
Communication is the key!
Remember to keep all relevant people/organisations informed of issues as they arise. Even if the issue seems unsurmountable, your tutor, employer or the GPhC are likely to have encountered it before. Always be honest and explain the circumstances objectively. Discuss any issues or concerns at the first opportunity – the sooner they are discussed, the sooner they can be resolved.
The Pharmacist Support Foundation Trainee Fact Sheet provides some advice on some of the most frequently encountered issues by the Foundation trainee pharmacists such as illness or problems with progress reports.
Links to resources to help with specific issues are in the relevant sections below.
Maintaining professional relationships
Try to discuss any issues, as soon as they arise, with your designated supervisor. If your he/she is unavailable, or you find it difficult to talk to them about the particular issues, try talking to another member of staff – i.e. a senior pharmacy technician or locum pharmacist. You can also look for support outside of your own pharmacy for example, by contacting an area manager or Foundation training manager.
Read our Guide to Building Rapport with your Foundation designated supervisor.
The Pharmacist Support Foundation Trainee Fact Sheet includes advice on handling personal conflict and developing a rapport with your tutor and other staff.
Financial issues
Pharmacist Support produce a range of Fact Sheets to help with financial issues.
Pharmacist Support offers support on a wide range of issues. Support includes a telephone and online enquiry service, specialist advice in debt, benefits and employment, financial assistance and Listening Friends, a helpline for you to talk about stresses you are experiencing in your work or personal life and a range of other wellbeing services:
www.pharmacistsupport.org/
or call 0808 168 2233.
Looking after your wellbeing
Pharmacist Support produce a range of Fact Sheets to help with wellbeing issues:
The charity’s Wardley Wellbeing service, offers support on a range of wellbeing issues that can impact on pharmacy students, Foundation trainees and pharmacists.