Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
[VACCSITE] COVID-19
Relevant standards
- 2.2 - Staff have the appropriate skills, qualifications and competence for their role and the tasks they carry out, or are working under the supervision of another person while they are in training
Why this is notable practice
The pharmacy has assurance that healthcare professionals working as vaccinators at a COVID-19 vaccination centre have the required training and competency to deliver a safe and effective service.
How the pharmacy did this
The Superintendent Pharmacist (SI) and the lead pharmacist at the COVID-19 vaccination site had developed a one-page training checklist. The site was delivering the COVID-19 vaccination using the Patient Group Direction (PGD). So, the pharmacists had used the PGD document, information provided by NHS England and the Health Education England website to create the checklist. They used the checklist to ensure that vaccinators had completed the relevant training modules, prior to them commencing work at the site.
The lead pharmacist received information about the number of COVID-19 vaccines due on the next delivery ahead of organising clinics, there were a pool of vaccinators as this number varied week by week. When vaccinators expressed an interest in working at the vaccination centre, they were provided with the training checklist. In order to work at the centre there was a requirement to provide sufficient evidence of training to the lead pharmacist.
Either the lead pharmacist or SI gave a face-to-face induction to new vaccinators on their first day. And completed competency assessments with all new vaccinators through the use of an observation checklist.
What difference this made to patients
The pharmacy is building a strong workforce of vaccinators. It is ensuring it uses suitably trained vaccinators who are competent in administering COVID-19 vaccinations. This supports the pharmacy in organising its clinics upon notice of a vaccination delivery. And it allows for contingency planning to cover sickness or last-minute changes so that the service to people being vaccinated is not interrupted.
Highlighted standards
We have identified the standards most likely and least likely to be met in inspections, and highlighted examples of notable practice for each of these standards; to help everyone learn from others and to support continuous improvement: