Guidance on preparing a portfolio of current competence The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is the regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and registered pharmacy premises in England, Scotland and Wales. About this guidance This document provides guidance for people who are required to submit a portfolio of evidence of current professional competence with their application for registration. Why we are providing this guidance We are providing this guidance because some people who have in the past been registered as pharmacists and who wish to be registered with the GPhC are now required to provide a portfolio of evidence with their application for registration demonstrating their current professional competence against the sector of practice they propose to work within. Who does this guidance apply to Since 2005, pharmacists who have been registered on the RPSGB s practising registers have been under an obligation to undertake and record continuing professional development in order to demonstrate that they are keeping their knowledge and skills up to date. People applying to register as pharmacists who have previously been registered with the RPSGB but have not been subject to this obligation, now need to prove that they are appropriately qualified and fit to practise to comply with legislation (article 20 of the Pharmacy Order, 2010). This can be achieved by submitting a portfolio of evidence with an application for registration demonstrating current professional competence against the intended scope of practice. This guidance has been prepared by the Education and Quality Assurance team and will apply until 27 September, 2012. If you have any questions about its content, please contact us on 020 3365 3400 or via email at info@pharmacyregulation.org. 1
Introduction The requirement to submit a portfolio of evidence of current competence with your application for registration will apply to you if: you are eligible to apply for registration as a pharmacist with the GPhC because you have previously been registered as a pharmacist with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB); and you have not, in any period since 1 January, 2005, been registered in the RPSGB s practising registers; Contents of a portfolio of evidence of current professional competence A portfolio of evidence must contain the following information as a minimum: 1. Your name and previous (RPSGB) registration number. 2. A self-evaluation of your current competence against the GPhC s standards that are relevant to the scope of practice you propose to practise within, identifying any gaps in your knowledge and skills. Relevant professional standards must include: Standards of Conduct, Ethics and Performance Standards for Continuing Professional Development Other standards that may be relevant to the scope of practice you propose to practise within include: Standards for owners and superintendent pharmacists of retail pharmacy businesses Standards for the initial education and training for pharmacists Standards for the initial education and training for pharmacy technicians 3. A personal statement, containing information about any education, training and/or experience relevant to the scope of practice you propose to practise within, that you have undertaken during the period that you were not registered in the RPSGB s practising register,. This should included dates, titles of any formal courses or qualifications (where relevant) and a brief description of content. 4. A self-evaluation of how you consider any education, training and/or work experience you have referred to has prepared you for work in the scope of practice you propose to practise within. 5. Relevant supporting evidence e.g. certificates of attendance, qualification certificates, testimonies or statements from other pharmacists or pharmacy technicians with whom you have undertaken any relevant experience. Photocopies of certificates will be accepted provided that each copy is signed, dated and certified by the pharmacist who is countersigning your application for registration using the following wording I certify that I have seen the original document and that this is a true copy. 6. A personal development plan showing what additional education, training and experience you have identified that you will need to undertake once you are registered in order to meet any gaps in your knowledge and skills. 2
There is no specific requirement for the number of pieces of evidence that you must provide but it must be sufficient for the GPhC to be able to make a determination that you have prepared adequately for the sector of practice you intend to work in. How your portfolio of evidence of current professional competence will be evaluated The decision about whether your portfolio provides sufficient evidence of your professional competence will be made by the Registrar. In order to make a recommendation to the Registrar, your portfolio will be evaluated against the following criteria: The recency of the education, training and experience The relevance of the education, training and experience to the scope of practice you propose to practise within Whether the education, training and experience undertaken is sufficient to demonstrate your current competence Familiarisation with relevant GPhC standards The quality and authenticity of any supporting evidence. 3
Sources of advice and support The following organisations may be able to provide advice to you on preparing for returning to practice: Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Website: www.rpharms.com Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) Website: www.cppe.ac.uk NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Website: www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/pharmacy Welsh Centre of Pharmacy Professional Education (WCPPE) Website: www.wcppe.org.uk Your application for registration, together with your portfolio of evidence should be returned to: The General Pharmaceutical Council, Directorate of Regulatory Services, Registers Section, 129 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7BT. 4