Boots Pharmacy Support Colleague Programmes
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS GUIDANCE
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS GUIDANCE
Please read this document carefully.
WHAT IS A PERFORMANCE STANDARDS REVIEW?
A Performance Standards review is a meeting between the trainee and designated supervisor. This review allows the
trainee to demonstrate to their designated supervisor that they are competent in the key elements of their role and
meet the requirements of a particular performance standard (a selected company SOPs). It is important that in their
roles, trainees not only know what to do but can demonstrate that they can do it safely, effectively and consistently.
WHEN DOES A PERFORMANCE STANDARDS REVIEW TAKE PLACE?
A Performance Standards review can only take place when the trainee has fully completed a section within a module
– this includes the digital content and all associated activities; including pre-work and post-work activities, test your
understanding self-assessment and section review.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A PERFORMANCE STANDARDS REVIEW?
During a Performance Standards review, the trainee’s competence against a particular performance standard will be
assessed by their designated supervisor. The trainee must be able to demonstrate that they fully understand and can
correctly follow the procedures detailed within the Boots SOP corresponding to that performance standard. The SOP
will cover key areas of the section that the trainee has just completed.
The trainee’s competence can be confirmed by their designated supervisor using one or more of the following
measures:
• Observing day-to-day practice – any observations made prior to the review can be used to help the
designated supervisor determine competence
• Observing arranged tasks / simulated scenarios – prior to the review, the designated supervisor can identify
a suitable task / scenario for the trainee to complete
• Analysing prepared evidence – the trainee can prepare evidence prior to the review that will help to
demonstrate their competence. For example, completed portal activities and/or accounts of events which
have occurred
• Asking questions to confirm the trainee’s understanding – answering questions will show that the trainee is
able to apply the knowledge / skills learnt throughout the section to the performance standard.
HOW LONG SHOULD A PERFORMANCE STANDARDS REVIEW LAST?
A Performance Standards review should take around 10 minutes. This does not include prior observational time.
Boots PSC Programmes 1
Boots Pharmacy Support Colleague Programmes
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS GUIDANCE
HOW DOES THE TRAINEE REQUEST A PERFORMANCE STANDARDS REVIEW
WITH THEIR DESIGNATED SUPERVISOR?
Once the trainee has fully completed a section within a module, they can request the review with their designated
supervisor by completing the chosen Performance Standards review activity at the bottom of the course launch
page.
Before sending the review request, the trainee should familiarise themselves with the relevant SOP and ensure that
they are ready to be assessed by their designated supervisor.
Upon receiving the trainee’s request for a Performance Standards review, the designated supervisor will:
• Identify a suitable time to meet with the trainee to review the chosen standard
• Conduct any pre-review observations.
What happens if there is more than one performance standard within the section?
If there is more than one performance standard to be reviewed for any given section, the trainee must send a
separate request for each performance standard.
HOW IS A PERFORMANCE STANDARD ‘SIGNED-OFF’?
Once the designated supervisor is satisfied that the trainee has demonstrated their competence, the designated
supervisor will approve the trainee’s review request for the chosen performance standard on their own portal
account. The approved Performance Standards review will then appear as completed (signed-off) on the trainee’s
portal account. The designated supervisor will complete this approval in their capacity as a pharmacy professional
and in accordance with the:
1. GPhC Standards for Pharmacy professionals:
• Pharmacy professionals must demonstrate leadership: Contribute to the education, training and
development of the team or of others
2. PSNI: Professional standards of conduct, ethics and performance for pharmacists:
• PRINCIPLE 4: Communicate effectively and work properly with colleagues: Contribute to the development,
education and training of colleagues and students, sharing relevant knowledge, skills and expertise.
Please note: ONLY the registered designated supervisor will be able to conduct a Performance Standards review –
this is because the trainee and designated supervisor PSC portal accounts are linked.
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Boots Pharmacy Support Colleague Programmes
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS GUIDANCE
WHAT IF THE TRAINEE DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGN-OFF?
If the trainee is not deemed to be competent by their designated supervisor, the designated supervisor must select
the ‘Not ready for sign off’ text at the bottom of the approval and the trainee will need to request a further
Performance Standards review at a later date.
The designated supervisor should provide detailed, constructive feedback, continue to make further observations
and ask additional questions using different tasks and / or simulated scenarios.
Whilst the trainee is waiting to successfully complete a performance standard, they can continue to work through
the next section of the module.
DOES THE TRAINEE STILL NEED TO BE SIGNED OFF ON THE SOPS IN STORE?
Yes. The Performance Standards review is a completely separate process to the trainee being signed off on SOPs in
store. The Responsible Pharmacist will still need to sign off the trainee on all relevant company SOPs in store in the
usual way.
CAN THE PERFORMANCE STANDARD BE USED TO SIGN OFF THE GPHC
LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR ALL STAFF?
Yes, the performance standards review can generate evidence towards the generic GPhC learning outcomes for all
pharmacy support staff. If the trainee has satisfied the designated supervisor, they have met the level required then
they can sign the trainee off on the relevant learning outcome(s).
FURTHER SUPPORT
For further help or advice please contact the Boots Pharmacy L&D team by email
learninganddeveloppment@[Link]
If there is a designated supervisor change, the new designated supervisor will need to complete the ‘change of
details’ form on BootsLive to request their own PSC portal account. It can take up to two weeks to process this
request and assign the designated supervisor an account that is linked to the trainee’s.
Approved by Boots
Learning & Development
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