A consensus building study to define the role of a 'clinical' pharmacy technician in a Primary Care Network environment in England

Abstract

Objective: To define criteria of the role of a clinical pharmacy technician that can be applied to the Primary Care Network environment in England.

Method: Consensus building study using Delphi methodology conducted in three stages: Stage 1: topic generation from a literature review; Stage 2: Delphi process via Jisc Online Surveys; Stage 3: analysis and presentation of identified topics.

Key findings: A consensus-defined list of 61 criteria appropriate for the role description of a clinical pharmacy technician across all healthcare sectors was derived. This was refined to 35 criteria considered most important to the role of a clinical pharmacy technician working in a Primary Care Network environment. A qualitative analysis of expert panel comments identified the importance of defining the level at which a pharmacy technician conducts each element of the role, suggesting they would be working at an 'advanced' level. Due to the advanced nature of this role, day-to-day supervision would be less than that of a pharmacy technician, and usually conducted by a pharmacist. This research supports existing international literature that a clinical pharmacy technician role releases capacity for other healthcare professionals to focus on more complex patient cases.

Conclusion: This research has provided a defined list of criteria considered appropriate for the role description of a clinical pharmacy technician. The need to evidence levels of pharmacy technician practice against recognised competency frameworks alongside clear role descriptors was noted. This study adds to the limited international research about pharmacy technician roles and supports the International Pharmaceutical Federation Pharmaceutical workforce development goals.

Keywords: Delphi; consensus method; pharmacy technician; role description.