Open Awards · RQF Level 3
Open Awards Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians (Diploma)
You don’t just earn this. You learn to use it, one-to-one, on your own real work.
- LevelRQF Level 3
- Total credits132
- Guided learning785 hours
- Units in this qualification21
Awarded by Open Awards · on the Ofqual register
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See how this course maps onto your role
Ten quick questions, one per Future Fluency, asked against this qualification rather than a generic one.
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What you’ll learn
What each unit actually teaches you to do
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These are the units Open Awards registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated, and every one you earn is yours to keep.
Actions and Uses of MedicinesReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of how medicines work in the human body, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- Understand the uses and limitations of medicines in treating various conditions
- Understand the use of standard pharmacy resources to research pharmaceutical queries, including drug formularies and online databases
Assemble and Check Dispensed Medicines and ProductsReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand governance requirements for assembling and checking dispensed medicines and products, including legal and ethical considerations.
- Understand processes for assembling dispensed items, including accuracy checks and quality control measures.
- Understand processes for packing and labelling prescribed items, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
- Understand processes for preventing and dealing with dispensing errors and near misses, including reporting procedures.
- Label and dispense prescribed items accurately and efficiently.
- Check the accuracy of others dispensing of medicines and products against valid prescriptions, identifying and rectifying any errors.
- Resolve dispensing errors and near misses effectively, taking appropriate action to minimise harm.
Biological Principles for Pharmacy TechniciansReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the structure and function of carbohydrates and lipids in biological systems
- Understand the structure and function of proteins, including their role as enzymes and structural components
- Understand the structure and function of enzymes and their role in biochemical reactions
- Understand the structure and function of the human genome, including DNA, RNA and genes
Chemical Principles for Pharmacy TechniciansReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the fundamental principles behind the periodic table and chemical bonding
- Understand the principles behind common chemical reactions relevant to pharmaceutics
- Understand the importance of water and its properties in the formulation and stability of pharmaceutical products
Contribute to Service Improvement in the Delivery of Pharmacy ServicesReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of audit in pharmacy services, including the audit cycle and its purpose.
- Understand the principles of quality improvement in pharmacy services, including methodologies and tools for improvement.
- Understand how partnership working contributes to improving the delivery of pharmacy services, recognising the roles of different stakeholders.
- Deliver pharmacy services for the benefit of individuals, ensuring patient safety and well-being.
- Respond to complaints effectively and professionally, following organisational procedures.
Medicinal Methods for the Prevention, Protection from and Treatment of InfectionsReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the function of blood and its components.
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of infections, including different types of antimicrobial agents.
- Understand the uses of commonly available immunological products, such as vaccines and immunoglobulins.
- Understand the advice individuals need to manage their health when taking medicines for infections, including potential side effects and interactions.
Medicinal Treatments for Cardio-respiratory ConditionsReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of conditions of the respiratory system, including asthma, COPD, and pneumonia.
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of conditions of the cardiovascular system, including hypertension, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
- Understand the advice individuals need to manage their condition when taking medicines for cardio-respiratory conditions, including lifestyle modifications and potential side effects.
Medicinal Treatments for Endocrine, Gynaecological and Genitourinary ConditionsReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the structure and function of the lymphatic system.
- Understand the structure and function of the endocrine system.
- Understand the structure and function of the genitourinary system.
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of endocrine conditions, including diabetes and thyroid disorders.
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of gynaecological conditions, including menopause and endometriosis.
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of genitourinary conditions, including urinary tract infections and prostate disorders.
- Understand how medicines are used in obstetrics, including pregnancy and childbirth.
- Understand the advice individuals need to manage their conditions when taking medicines for endocrine, gynaecological, and genitourinary conditions, including potential side effects and interactions.
Medicinal Treatments for Sensory Organ ConditionsReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the structure and function of sensory organs
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of eye conditions
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of ear conditions
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of oropharynx conditions
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of nose conditions
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of dermatological conditions
- Understand the advice individuals need to manage their condition when using medicinal treatments for sensory organ conditions
Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Treatments for Central Nervous System ConditionsReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the structure and function of the central nervous system
- Understand how different medicines are used in the treatment of conditions affecting the central nervous system
- Understand how medicines and non-medicinal treatments are used in the treatment of mental ill health conditions
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment and management of pain, including acute and chronic pain
Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Treatments for Gastrointestinal and Nutritional ConditionsReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the structure and function of the digestive system
- Understand how different medicines are used in the treatment of conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract
- Understand how medicines and supplements are used in the treatment of nutritional conditions and deficiencies
- Understand the advice and support individuals need to effectively manage their gastrointestinal and nutritional conditions
Medicinal and Non-medicinal Treatments for Malignant Diseases and Musculoskeletal ConditionsReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the different types of human cells and tissue
- Understand the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system
- Understand how medicines and therapies are used in the treatment of malignant diseases
- Understand how medicines are used in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions
- Understand the advice individuals need to manage their condition when using medicinal and non-medicinal treatments for malignant diseases and musculoskeletal conditions
Microbiology for Pharmacy TechniciansReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the structure, function and classification of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
- Understand factors affecting microbial growth, including temperature, pH, nutrients and oxygen availability
- Understand how the growth of microorganisms is monitored and controlled using various techniques
- Understand the different routes of transmission of infection and methods to prevent its spread
Personal Development for Pharmacy TechniciansReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand how the role of the pharmacy technician is governed by relevant legislation, standards and codes of practice
- Understand the principles of professionalism and ethical conduct within the role of a pharmacy technician
- Understand how to reflect on own practice to identify areas for improvement and development
- Evaluate own performance against established standards and objectives
- Recognise behaviour in self and others that does not meet the required professional standard
- Develop a personal development plan with clear goals and actions for professional growth
- Contribute to the development of others through mentoring, coaching or training
Principles for the Management of Pharmaceutical StockReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand governance requirements relating to the management of pharmaceutical stock, including legal and ethical considerations.
- Understand the considerations for ordering pharmaceutical stock, including demand forecasting and stock levels.
- Understand how to complete the procurement process for pharmaceutical stock, following organisational procedures.
- Understand how to receive pharmaceutical stock, ensuring accuracy and completeness of deliveries.
- Understand how to store pharmaceutical stock, maintaining appropriate environmental conditions and security.
- Understand how to carry out pharmaceutical stock management, including stock rotation and expiry date monitoring.
Principles of Health Promotion and Well-being in Pharmacy ServicesReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the various factors that influence health and well-being
- Understand the relationship between public health and pharmacy services
- Understand how principles of behaviour change can be applied to health promotion
- Understand the role of the pharmacy technician in the promotion of public health
Principles of Health and Safety for Pharmacy TechniciansReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the responsibilities relating to health and safety in the workplace, including legal requirements and organisational policies
- Understand health and safety risk management, including hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures
- Understand procedures for responding to accidents and emergencies in the pharmacy environment
Principles of Person-Centred Approaches for Pharmacy TechniciansReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand effective communication techniques within pharmacy services, including verbal and non-verbal communication
- Understand person-centred approaches in pharmacy services, including respecting patient autonomy and preferences
- Understand the role and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician in relation to safeguarding individuals, including vulnerable adults and children
Principles of Safe Manufacture of Quality Medicines in the Pharmaceutical EnvironmentReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the governance requirements for the manufacture of pharmaceutical products, including regulatory frameworks and quality standards.
- Understand the importance of maintaining environments for pharmaceutical manufacture in relation to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), including cleanliness, hygiene, and environmental control.
- Understand how medicines are manufactured, including different manufacturing processes and equipment.
- Understand how to perform calculations for pharmaceutical formulae, ensuring accurate measurements and proportions.
- Understand the principles of pharmaceutical quality systems in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products, including quality assurance and quality control.
Receive, Validate and Issue PrescriptionsReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the governance requirements and standard operating procedures for receiving, validating and issuing prescriptions
- Receive prescriptions accurately and efficiently, ensuring all necessary information is present
- Validate prescriptions to ensure their legality, accuracy and appropriateness for the patient
- Issue prescribed items to patients, providing clear and accurate information and advice
Undertake Medicines Reconciliation and SupplyReal unit · Open Awards
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the governance requirements for retrieving and reconciling information about an individual’s medicines
- Take a medication history from individuals
- Verify the accuracy of the individual’s medication history
- Reconcile the verified medication history with the list of medicines currently prescribed
- Assess individuals’ own medicines or products for use
- Order medicines and products for individuals to ensure sufficient supply
The honest bit
You’ve started things before
Most courses were built for a room full of people who aren’t you. A cohort moves on whether or not your week allowed it, and by the third week the thing you’re behind on becomes the reason you stop opening it.
There’s no cohort here, and no timetable to fall behind. Before anything starts, Zavmo asks when you’re sharpest and how long you can realistically sit down for, then builds the sessions around those answers. A bad fortnight changes your pace. It doesn’t put you behind.
And you only pay once you start learning. Searching and planning are free, and you can cancel any time — so the cost of finding out is an afternoon, not a year.
Your passport
Every credit is a stamp you keep
Level 3 credits are regulated. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you’ve earned and what’s next.
Each stamp is a real unit registered against this qualification.
Who’d teach you this
The Evidence Evaluator
Assessor
Helps you show what you can actually do, gathering the evidence that proves it as you learn.
Meet all twelve tutorsWhere this connects
Where these credits take you
A qualification is never a dead end here. See the jobs its credits open, the national occupational standards its units map to, and the future skills they quietly build.
- Analyse audits and inspections to ensure compliance to regulations in a Life Science Environment
- Assess the quality of radioactive medicinal products
- Certify Product for release under Marketing Authority License into the supply chain
- Contribute to the management of medication audit and review
- Determine methods for Pharmaceutical Manufacture
- Develop a training programme for staff to ensure compliance with the requirements of Good Distribution Practice Legacy
- Develop, implement and maintain a quality system to control the distribution of medicinal products
- Dispense Patient-Specific Anti-Cancer Therapy Doses
Where this can lead
Associate Pharmaceutical Compliance Specialist
Your journey starts here, getting the fundamentals right. But honestly, the opportunities to grow, specialise, or even lead a team are huge. It's a career path that's always in demand and genuinely makes a difference to public health. We're excited to see where you take it.
See the whole journey →Showing 6 roles, drawn from 39 job records mapped to this qualification.
Skills it covers
What the job actually needs. These are the standards the units are built against, in the words employers and awarding bodies already use for the work itself.
How you’ll actually learn this
One-to-one, on your own real work
A qualification is usually something done to you: sit the class, sit the exam, hope it sticks. Here it’s the opposite. You learn it one-to-one with a companion, on your own real work, and you keep going until you can use it, not just recall it.
Applied to your work in any of these jobs
This unit examines the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, explaining how medicines act within the body. Learners will understand the therapeutic uses and limitations of medicines and develop skills to research pharmaceutical information using standard resources.
- Remember
- Understand
- Apply
- Analyse
- Evaluate
- Create
Built for Open Awards Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians (Diploma)
21 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by Open Awards.
- Actions and Uses of Medicines
- Assemble and Check Dispensed Medicines and Products
- Biological Principles for Pharmacy Technicians
- Chemical Principles for Pharmacy Technicians
- Contribute to Service Improvement in the Delivery of Pharmacy Services
- Medicinal Methods for the Prevention, Protection from and Treatment of Infections
and 15 more in the full unit list below.
One to one, not one to many
No two people run this the same way
A course is written once and handed to everyone. This is assembled around you, and keeps changing as it learns you. Five things it reads, and what each one changes.
- Your actual work Every unit is taught against a live piece of your own work, not a worked example from a textbook.
- What you already know The first conversation finds your starting point, so you skip what you can already do and spend the time on what you cannot.
- The conditions you learn under Not a learning-styles quiz. The evidence does not support those. The dimensions the research does back, read once and used to shape the plan.
- How far you got last time It picks up mid-thought. The tutor knows what you said, what you struggled with, and what it asked you to try.
- Which tutor suits the moment Twelve of them, each for a different kind of thinking. The one who walks you through a first idea is not the one who stress-tests it.
See how you learn, free. Eight questions, no sign-up. A directional taster; the diagnostic inside Zavmo goes deeper and keeps adapting.
Why it sticks
Most courses stop at remembering
There’s a well-known ladder of how deeply you learn something, called Bloom’s Taxonomy. Most courses get you up the first two rungs: you remember some facts, you pass a test, you forget it. Real skill lives at the top. Judging, deciding, creating. And this isn’t a generic ladder: every rung has a named Zavmo tutor who walks you up it.
- 6CreateThe Creative Catalyst
- 5EvaluateThe Evidence Evaluator
- 4AnalyseThe Analyst
- 3ApplyThe Coach
- 2UnderstandThe Connector
- 1RememberThe Builder
Where most courses leave you Where Zavmo takes you
The value
Why the companion is worth £70 a month
You’re not paying for the units. They’re regulated, and the same wherever you earn them. You’re paying for the one thing that decides whether you actually get there: a companion that makes them stick, on your real work.
That is one-to-one on this qualification, every day, on the work you already do, for £70 a month. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it. Billed monthly, cancel any time and billing stops.
Earned on your own work, taught to the top.
Everything you just read, learned one-to-one on the job you already do. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it.
Build my plan, freeNo card. See how this qualification maps onto your role and meet the tutors who’d teach it, free. The learning begins when you subscribe. It’s £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.