Council has communicated previously that there will be no enrollment of new learners for the National Certificate, Pharmacist's Assistant, and the further Education and Training Certificate, Pharmacist's Assistant, on 30 June 2014 and 30 June 2015, respectively. The teach-out period (time to complete training) for pharmacist's assistants in the category "learner basic" will end on 30 June 2017, and the teach-out period for pharmacist's assistants in the category "learner post-basic" will end on 30 June 2018.
Pharmacist's assistants in the categories, "basic" and "post-basic", will remain on a closed register for 10 years, during which time they will be required to upgrade their qualifications to at least the level of pharmacy technical assistant (PTA). Persons on these closed registers will perform acts pertaining to the scope of practice that was applicable during their registration. Pharmacist's assistants in the category "basic" will need to acquire an NQF level 4 certificate and the necessary subjects to meet the enrollment requirements for the PTA.
Council has approved the scope of practice for the pharmacy general assistants and is developing the qualification for these new pharmacy cadres. It is envisaged that this qualification will be either NQF level 3 or 4.
Pharmacist's assistants who do not enroll and qualify as PTA's after 10 years will be moved to other registers as follows:
Pharmacist's assistants in the categories, "basic" and "post-basic", will remain on a closed register for 10 years, during which time they will be required to upgrade their qualifications to at least the level of pharmacy technical assistant (PTA). Persons on these closed registers will perform acts pertaining to the scope of practice that was applicable during their registration. Pharmacist's assistants in the category "basic" will need to acquire an NQF level 4 certificate and the necessary subjects to meet the enrollment requirements for the PTA.
Council has approved the scope of practice for the pharmacy general assistants and is developing the qualification for these new pharmacy cadres. It is envisaged that this qualification will be either NQF level 3 or 4.
Pharmacist's assistants who do not enroll and qualify as PTA's after 10 years will be moved to other registers as follows:
- Pharmacist's assistants in the category "basic" will be registered as pharmacy general assistants.
- Pharmacist's assistants in the category "post-basic" will be registered as pharmacy technical assistants.
Council is investigating the feasibility of distance learning and a mixed mode of delivering the PTA and pharmacy technician qualifications to persons who are unable to leave their employment to study full-time at an accredited institution.
Council will draft the criteria for the assessment of alternate modes of delivering these qualifications and should finalize this process by the end of 2013.
