Mandatory Training for Clinical pharmacists

Needed for the role

Safeguarding Adults, Level 3 (free, 1 CPD hour): RCGP safeguarding standards (2024) put pharmacists working in general practice at Level 3. Source
Safeguarding Children, Level 3 (free, 1 CPD hour): RCGP puts pharmacists in general practice at Level 3 for children as well as adults. Source
Resuscitation Adults, Level 2 (free, 1 CPD hour): Resuscitation Council UK and CQC say clinical staff update at least yearly and must be able to use an AED as soon as possible after a collapse. Source
Infection Prevention and Control, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The IPC code of practice says all staff, including support and contracted staff, need IPC training relevant to their role, and CQC lists infection control training among expected evidence. Source
Mental Capacity Act, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC Regulation 11 says staff who obtain consent must know and apply the Mental Capacity Act, and CQC lists MCA training among the evidence it expects. Source
Fire Safety, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The Fire Safety Order (art. 21) requires adequate fire training on recruitment and when risks change, and CQC lists fire safety training among the evidence it expects. Source
Health, Safety and Welfare, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Employers must give health and safety training on recruitment and when risks change (Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 13). Source
Data Security Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The Data Security and Protection Toolkit expects all staff with access to personal data to complete data security training every year, with at least 95% of staff trained. Source
Duty of Candour, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC checks that practices train all staff on communicating with patients about notifiable safety incidents (Regulation 20). Source

Sepsis Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC may check that training helps staff recognise deteriorating patients who may have sepsis, and expects clinical staff to be trained to calculate a NEWS score. Source
Preventing Radicalisation, Basic Prevent Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Level 3 builds on Level 1-2 competence, so take it at induction unless your Level 3 course already covers it; our course cannot give you Level 3. Source
Equality, Diversity and Human Rights, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): No law or CQC rule names this course for GP staff; the NHS Core Skills Training Framework sets it for all staff every 3 years. Source
Conflict Resolution, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The NHS Core Skills Training Framework sets it for staff in direct contact with the public; for GP practices CQC leaves the choice to the practice. Source
Moving and Handling, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The BMA says the need depends on the tasks you do (Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992); the NHS framework sets Level 1 for all staff. Source
Learning Disability and Autism, awareness primer, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Useful background, but it is not Oliver McGowan training and cannot meet the statutory code alone (no live session co-delivered by people with lived experience, no accreditation). Source
Consent, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC Regulation 11 requires valid consent and says staff must follow the practice's consent policy; no national course is specified. Source
Complaints Handling, Level 1 (free, 0.5 CPD hours): CQC's Regulation 16 guidance says all staff must know how to respond when they receive a complaint. Source
Domestic Abuse Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): NICE PH50 recommends GPs, nurses and other clinicians are trained to ask about abuse and respond safely, and RCGP safeguarding standards include domestic abuse at every level. Source
Female Genital Mutilation Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): As a regulated professional you have a legal duty to report known FGM in a girl under 18 to the police; no specific course is mandated. Source
Freedom to Speak Up, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The National Guardian's Office 'Speak Up' core module is for all workers, and CQC expects practices to have speaking-up arrangements staff know about. Source
Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment (Equality Act 2010 s40A, since 26 October 2024), and EHRC guidance says all staff should be trained. Source

If it fits your duties

Resuscitation Paediatric, Level 2 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Needed if you see or treat children: the NHS framework says staff working with paediatric patients should train in paediatric basic life support. Source
Anaphylaxis, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Required every year if you give vaccines (UKHSA 2025 vaccination training standards). Source
Infection Prevention and Control, Level 2 (free, 1 CPD hour): Level 2 is for staff who give direct patient care, such as face-to-face reviews or examinations (NHS Core Skills Training Framework). Source
Display Screen Equipment, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Applies if you use a screen daily for continuous spells of an hour or more (DSE Regulations 1992, reg 6). Source
Lone Working, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): HSE says employers should provide training, supervision and monitoring for staff who work alone, for example on home visits or opening and closing the building. Source

Also needed, from other providers

Preventing Radicalisation: Awareness of Prevent (Level 3), the e-LfH/ESR course named by the framework: The 2022 edition of the NHS Prevent framework named pharmacists at Level 3; annual updates and a refresher every 3 years. Source
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, Tier 2 (90-minute e-learning plus a one-day face-to-face session co-delivered by people with a learning disability and autistic people): A legal requirement since 2022, with a statutory code since 6 September 2025: GPs, practice nurses, phlebotomists and other clinical staff in primary care are likely to need Tier 2; refresh at least every 3 years. Source
Hands-on CPR and AED practice with an assessment (face to face): Resuscitation Council UK recommends assessed hands-on training for clinical staff and CQC expects every clinician to be able to use an AED; an e-learning course alone cannot show the practical skill. Source
Yearly Level 3 safeguarding learning and reflection (case reviews, practice safeguarding meetings, reflective templates): RCGP Level 3 standards require yearly reflective learning across child and adult safeguarding, on top of any e-learning module. Source
Vaccination foundation training and yearly vaccination updates (if you vaccinate): UKHSA National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Vaccination Training (June 2025) apply to registered practitioners and healthcare support workers who vaccinate. Source
A GPhC-accredited independent prescribing programme (only if you prescribe): CQC GP mythbuster 81: pharmacist independent prescribers must have completed an accredited programme. Source

Mandatory training for clinical pharmacists

Needed for the role

Recommended

If it fits your duties

Also needed, from other providers

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