The salary is based on a 40-hour working week and provisionally registered pharmacists will also have access to “a structured clinical support programme to help them deliver safe and effective care,” Lloyds announced last week (June 19).

It follows Boots’ announcement on June 10 that its provisionally registered pharmacists will be paid £36,000, the same as those joining the business who are newly qualified.

‘Joining the register’

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) agreed to provisionally register eligible pre-registration pharmacists after assessments for 2020 were postponed due to COVID-19.

Pre-reg pharmacists must successfully meet a number of criteria to join the register on a provisional basis, the GPhC has said. To remain on the register they will need to sit the registration exam, which will be held online as soon as possible.

The regulator has also said that provisionally registered pharmacists must only practice under the guidance and direction of a senior pharmacist.

Lloyds said it would be finding a “suitable mentor” for all its provisionally registered pharmacists, as well as “ensuring they have access to a support network”.

“Vacancies for external pre-regs”

Victoria Steele, deputy superintendent at LloydsPharmacy, said: “In addition to wanting our new pharmacists to feel supported, we also want them to feel valued, which is why we’ve made the decision for them to also benefit from our increased minimum rate of pay, of £18.50 per hour, that we announced in April of this year.”

She added that the multiple would be matching its existing 150 pre-regs with vacancies first but would also have positions available for external pre-regs.

The multiple has also adapted its 12-month Foundation Programme, launched in October 2019, to give extra support to those eligible for provisional registration.

It said that the programme will offer clinical learning and preparation for the registration assessment, including lunchtime learning sessions, monthly clinical learning topics with suggested study and quizzes and a mock exam.

Ms Steele added: “We want to set our provisionally registered pharmacists up to be great pharmacists, not just good ones, by helping them develop skills such s leadership, decision-making and professionalism.

“The more we can support and develop them, the better the service and expertise they can provide to our customers and patients.”