Acronyms and Terminology Definitions

This page contains the definitions of acronyms and terminology that are commonly used.  Use the quick links below to quickly scroll down to a specific letter.

A

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

AAR

Annual Audit and Review

Documentation completed as part of the HEKSS quality management process. The AAR gives trusts the opportunity to highlight areas of good practice and discuss areas that require improvement.

ACLF

Advanced Consultant Level Framework

The ACLF has been superseded by the Advanced Pharmacy Framework which underpins RPS Faculty membership

AF

Academic Facilitator (formally known as TP)

A suitably experienced pharmacist who supports FP's with the learning set activities.

AOP Tools

Assessment of Practice tools

Summative assessments carried out in practice e.g. RITA and MiniTAB

APEL

Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning

A process for recognising junior pharmacists who have already completed a series of rotations and who hold the JPB London School of Pharmacy Certificate qualification or similar.

C

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

CARG

Curriculum & Assessment Review Group

JPB group that review both the curricula and assessments used in JPB programmes run in London, East, South-East and South of England.

CBD

Case-based discussion

Retrospective review of patient case study

Change Management

An FS2 task carried out in module A


CoDEG

Competency Development and Evaluation Group

CoDEG is a collaborative network of specialist and academic pharmacists, developers, researchers and practitioners. Its aim is to undertake research and evaluation in order to help develop and support pharmacy practitioners and ensure their fitness to practice at all levels. www.codeg.org

CV

Curriculum Vitae

A brief account of a person’s education, qualifications, and previous occupations.

D

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

Diploma in Gen PP

Diploma in General Pharmacy Practice

A 12 month academic programme delivered jointly by the University of Brighton and Medway School of Pharmacy. It consists of 2 modules, each with 4 contact days or teaching and assessment. These will cover the management and organisation elements of the General Level Framework e.g. safety, education, operational management; as well as clinical practice in more depth than the Certificate programme. Assessment is through change management and therapeutic review assignments and portfolio.

DOPS

Directly Observed Practical Skills

Specifically designed for the assessment of practical skills & activities.

E

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

E&T

Education and training

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EPD

Educational Programme Director

Oversees running of the programme at the NHS work base

ES

Educational Supervisor

Individual tutor of a practitioner undertaking the course

Extended intervention

To illustrate a number of related pharmaceutical contributions made to the care of individual patients.

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F

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

Formative Assessment

The goal of formative assessment is to monitor trainee learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by FP's to improve their learning. They should help trainees identify their strengths and weaknesses and target areas that need further development. e.g. the SLE's such as MiniCEX, DOPs, CBD & MRCF.

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Foundation Board

A representative group of employers, practitioners, educational programme directors, commissioners, universities and LETB who regularly review the Foundation Programme and set its strategic direction.

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FS1

Foundation Stage 1 (first 18 months - certificate)

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FS2

Foundation Stage 2 (diploma stage - two modules of 6 months each)

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G

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

GLF

General Level Framework

A validated framework outlining competencies for a general level practitioner

H

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

HCPs

Health care professionals

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HEE

Health Education England

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HEE LaSE

Health Education England London and the South East

This region replaces the London and KSS areas.

HEI

Higher Education Institute

The universities/pharmacy schools

HEI Programme Lead

Overall responsibility for academic programme

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HEKSS

Health Education, Kent, Surrey & Sussex Pharmacy

Are the LETB who commission the FP Programme.

I

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

Intervention

Action taken by a pharmacist to improve patient care & outcome including those that have prevented patient harm. Log of significant interventions made needed for portfolio of evidence.

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J

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

JPB

Joint Programmes Board (http://www.jpbsoutheast.org)

Collaborative organisation between pharmacy schools and NHS Trusts who provide foundation level training for pharmacists.

L

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

LAB

Local Academic Board

See Educational Governance section of HEKSS website.

LaSE

London and the South East

These region covers London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex (currently included are Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

LEP

Local Education Provider - the acute hospital hosting foundation pharmacists in training

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LETB

Local Education and Training Board.

LETBs are responsible for the planning and commissioning of workforce education and training. In Kent, Surrey and Sussex the LETB is Health Education Kent, Surrey & Sussex. The LETB has a contract with the universities to provide the course.

LFG

Local Faculty Group

See Educational Governance section of HEKSS website.

LS

Learning Set

Academic study day

LTFT

Less than full time trainees

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M

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

MCQ

Multiple Choice Question

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Mini-CEX

Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

Prospective observation of new patient contact e.g. drug history taking, medication counselling, MI enquiry takes 15-20 min including feedback

Mini-TAB

Team assessment of Behaviour

A form of 360 degree/ multi source feedback in which the practitioner self assesses and asks colleagues to provide anonymous feedback. Roughly 6-monthly the Foundation Pharmacist nominates 5-8 people they have worked closely with to provide feedback. Feedback of results via the Educational Supervisor (ES).

Moodle

Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment

Interactive online resource where materials and information relating to the course are posted, just like a website.

MRCF

Medication-related Consultation Framework

Real time assessment of patient counselling

MSOP

Medway School of Pharmacy

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O

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

OLE (or VLE)

On-line Learning Environment

Interactive online resource where materials and information relating to the course are posted, just like a website.

OSCE

Objective Structured (or Simulated) Clinical Examination

University summative assessment carried out at the 18 month stage of FS1. Series of exams based on objective testing and direct observation during clinical encounters.

P

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

PF

Portfolio

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Portfolio of Evidence

FPs’ portfolios have specific content requirements, such as number of assessments which are set as the minimum only-encourage more. Portfolios should be reviewed at each RITA and must be submitted by the deadline set by the university for VIVA's (end of FS1 and each FS2 Module).

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Postgraduate certificate in Gen PP

Post Graduate Certificate in General Pharmacy Practice

An 18month academic programme delivered jointly by the University of Brighton and Medway School of Pharmacy. It consists of regular learning sets in which core clinical and practice relating to working in the NHS are covered. This is complemented by workbooks and supplementary resources available on the Universities Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). Assessment is by OSCEs, MCQs, critical review and portfolio.

PS

Practice Supervisor

Any senior or experienced staff member in the workplace accredited to facilitate everyday learning and assessment. Each Trust will have a number of practice supervisors who will support the FP in their various rotations e.g. MI, medicine, surgery, dispensing etc.

Q

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

QM

Quality Manual

Document completed as part of the educational governance process. It outlines the educational procedures carried out within the Trust.

R

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

RITA

Record of In-service Training Assessment 

Summative assessment between FP and ES to check and document progress.
It occurs at regular intervals throughout the course. 

RITA Form B sign-off = satisfactory progress. 

RITA Form C = targeted training required

S

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

SEC

South East Coast- generally replaced by KSS now.

Incorporating the counties of Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

SIP

Significant Intervention Pro-forma

Template form used to record significant contribution to care interventions.

Social intervention

Record of a intervention relating to the 'social needs' of a patient in the GLP's care.

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Summative Assessment

Refers to the assessment of the learning and summarises the development of learners at a particular time.

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SLE

Supervised Learning Events, formally known as Work based formative assessments (WBA) e.g. Mini-CEX, CBD, DOPs.

The name has been changed to emphasise that they are to be used for formative (developmental) purposes and not to assess whether a practitioner has met a pre set standard.

T

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

Therapeutic Review

FS2 task undertaken in module B


TID

Trainee in difficulty

A foundation pharmacist who requires additional educational support.

TP

Teacher Practitioner, now known as an AF - academic facilitator

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TRAS

Trainee requiring additional Support

The term trainee requiring additional support (TRAS) describes a doctor, pharmacist, pharmacy technician or dentist in training who, for whatever reason, needs extra help and support to deal with the problem(s) that threaten completion of a commissioned HEE LaSE training programme, post or attachment. Identifying a trainee as ‘requiring additional support’ is not to label them, but to set in motion a process so that s/he may complete training successfully and continue to contribute to the work of the NHS.

U

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

UB

University of Brighton

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V

Acronym

Meaning

Explanation

VIVA

Viva Voce

A VIVA is a Spoken examination.

VLE (or OLE)

Virtual Learning Environment

Interactive online resource where materials and information relating to the course are posted, just like a website.

VTS

Vocational Training Scheme

An employment based training programme.