In 1999 I left pharmacy to stay at home and look after my daughter. I returned to work as a locum in 2002. I thought I was more than qualified having 12 years pharmacy experience. I was very shocked to see how different retail is to hospital and how the training received in college had not prepared me for hospital pharmacy. I was always under the impression that the course was universal to all pharmacy but I soon learned how unprepared I was for the huge difference between General hospital and retail pharmacy.
I continued to locum for 6 weeks to gain a better understanding of how hospital pharmacy is run. I then applied for a mto2 post in a mental health trust.

I have now worked for oxleas NHS trust for four years and have completed the following training courses:

NVQ assessor
NVQ internal verifier
CPD facilitator
ACT
Train the trainer
NVQ coordinator
Technician self development facilitator


I am head of training and education for all Techs and assistants, pharmacy student tech manager and deputy dispensary manager. I am still learning the differences between hospital and retail although I don't feel as helpless as I did when I first began.
I attend and coordinate in-house training and teaching sessions which contributes to my own CPD as well as the rest of the department.