Who is the Community Pharmacy Academy for?

The academy has pathways for work experience, OTC assistants, dispensing assistants, pharmacy technicians, accuracy checking technicians, pharmacists, pharmacy managers and area managers.

Does completion provide a pharmacy qualification?

No. The academy provides learning and simulated practice. It does not replace an accredited qualification, professional registration, employer induction, supervision or workplace competency assessment.

Does the academy include work with GP practices?

Yes. Patient communication, referrals, prescription queries and closed-loop working between community pharmacy and GP practices are developed at the depth appropriate to each role.

One academy, eight role pathways

Community Pharmacy Academy

Choose the role you are preparing for or developing in. Each pathway combines short modules with realistic labs, with patient conversations and work with GP practices running throughout.

Currently in development. The pathway structure is open for preview. Paid enrolment remains closed until the relevant learning, assessment and professional review are complete.

Choose your role

Start at the level that matches your work

Role names stay simple. Internal course codes remain behind the scenes.

Free introduction

Work Experience

The basic rules before a placement, followed by the host organisation's own induction, manuals and health-and-safety information.

5 to 10 minutes · 5 learning sections

View the free introduction

In development

OTC Assistant

Patient-centred OTC conversations, common minor conditions, red flags, referral and clear safety-netting.

6 to 8 hours · 8 learning sections

View pathway

In development

Dispensing Assistant

The prescription journey, safe assembly, stock, controlled-drug awareness, handout and learning from errors.

7 to 9 hours · 8 learning sections

View pathway

In development

Pharmacy Technician

Technical judgement, medicines reconciliation, workflow, service support, coaching, governance and GP collaboration.

8 to 10 hours · 8 learning sections

View pathway

In development

Accuracy Checking Technician (ACT)

A consistent checking process, realistic error patterns, human factors, feedback and maintaining competence.

5 to 7 hours · 6 learning sections

View pathway

In development

Pharmacist

Consultation, minor illness, Pharmacy First, urgent escalation, GP collaboration, records and clinical leadership.

8 to 10 hours · 8 learning sections

View pathway

In development

Pharmacy Manager

Safe staffing, coaching, governance, patient experience, performance and local GP relationships.

7 to 9 hours · 8 learning sections

View pathway

In development

Area Manager

Leading through managers, multi-site governance, workforce planning, coaching, risk and regional change.

7 to 9 hours · 8 learning sections

View pathway

Short modules

Clear teaching focused on the decisions and boundaries that matter in each role.

Realistic labs

Fictional patients, prescriptions, referrals, team situations and delayed explanatory feedback.

Pharmacy, GP and patient

OTC care, person-centred communication and closed-loop work with GP practices are core themes.

Clear boundaries

Learning and simulation, not workplace authorisation

Completion will show learning and simulated performance. It will not replace local induction, SOP training, supervision, accredited qualifications, professional registration or workplace competency decisions.