![Image of two pharmacists talking](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PS_Entrustable-activities-343x194.jpg)
Professional skills
It takes more than clinical knowledge and technical skills to reach your full potential in pharmacy practice. Professional skills — such as teamwork, leadership, communication and decision making — are equally important for delivering high-quality patient care.
Our collection of professional skills and career development resources is informed by the RPS’s Post-registration Foundation Curriculum and the Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum, organised into nine categories.
New content is added regularly so if you have suggestions for further topics that you would like to see included, please contact the research and learning team.
Career and professional development
![Image of two pharmacists talking](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PS_Entrustable-activities-343x194.jpg)
![Photo of a supervisor showing a trainee a document in induction](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PS_Induction-e1699359624159-343x194.jpg)
How to design optimal induction pathways for pharmacy professionals
![Photo of a young pharmacist taking medication off a shelf, with the words](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lead-image-343x194.jpg)
How to support pharmacists during hospital rotations
![](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/generalists-lead-343x194.jpg)
All hail, the specialist generalist!
![Image focused on a student taking notes and revising.](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Lead-image-2-343x194.jpg)
How to prepare for the Oriel national foundation trainee pharmacist recruitment scheme
![Senior pharmacist helping a junior pharmacist](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/professional-skills-lead-Jan23-343x194.jpg)
Supporting recently qualified hospital pharmacists: advice for the first few years
![Andreea Blaga](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/W2w-2022-honourees-lead-image-1024x683-Andreea-Blaga-343x194.jpg)
Andreea Blaga
Communication and consultation skills
![Consultation group being observed](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shutterstock_2267075151-343x194.jpg)
Consultation and communication skills for pharmacy OSCEs
![Photo of a pharmacy an a patient in consultation as medicines dispensed, within a frame that says](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lead-12-343x194.jpg)
How to provide patients with safety-netting advice
![A pharmacist searching in a drawer for medicines](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lead-4-343x194.jpg)
How to navigate and ensure effective patient communication about medicines shortages
![Young boy lying on the couch and coughing](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2BJJ331-343x194.jpg)
How to identify and manage prolonged acute and chronic cough in pre-school children
![Close up of senior man rubbing sore throat or pained neck](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lead-1-343x194.jpg)
How to identify red-flag symptoms and refer patients appropriately
![Stylised illustration of a woman talking to her prescribing pharmacist](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Lead-1-e1700230389670-343x194.jpg)
Introduction to the prescribing consultation
![Illustration of two sets of hands of people in deep discussion](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Untitled_Artwork-e1698766203776-343x194.jpg)
Communication techniques for prescribing
Equality, diversity and inclusion
![Photo of two people looking at an ipad, with](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Lead-5-343x194.jpg)
How to incorporate strategic priorities into clinical pharmacy practice
![Project co-lead Ranjita Dhital, a pharmacist and lecturer in interdisciplinary health studies at University College London](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/News-image-update-v2-343x194.jpg)
Architecture exhibit aims to start a discussion on the use of space in community pharmacies
![white pharmacist talking to black patient about product](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/professional-skills-lead-Feb14-343x194.jpg)
Addressing microaggressions to deliver cultural competence in pharmacy
![white pharmacist speaking to black patient about product](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/professional-skills-conversations-343x194.jpg)
How to improve cultural competence in pharmacy practice
![Disabled icon being revealed from behind a piece of paper](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Hidden-disabilities-2-343x194.jpg)
‘We are all fighting something’ — shattering the silence on hidden disabilities in pharmacy (audio)
![](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/MPharm-awarding-gap-PJpod-343x194.jpg)
MPharm awarding gap: how can BAME students be better supported? (audio)
![](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Career-blogs-podcast-343x194.jpg)
MPharm awarding gap: the BAME student experience at university (audio)
Leadership, management and teamwork
![Photo of two people looking at an ipad, with](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Lead-5-343x194.jpg)
How to incorporate strategic priorities into clinical pharmacy practice
![Image of two pharmacists talking](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PS_Entrustable-activities-343x194.jpg)
Entrustable professional activities: a new approach to supervising trainee pharmacists on clinical placements
![Photo of a supervisor showing a trainee a document in induction](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PS_Induction-e1699359624159-343x194.jpg)
How to design optimal induction pathways for pharmacy professionals
![Photo focusing on a pharmacist member of a group of medical professionals in a hospital setting](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PS-MDT-lead-e1698399705888-343x194.jpg)
How to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
![Photo of a young pharmacist taking medication off a shelf, with the words](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lead-image-343x194.jpg)
How to support pharmacists during hospital rotations
![Senior pharmacist helping a junior pharmacist](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/professional-skills-lead-Jan23-343x194.jpg)
Supporting recently qualified hospital pharmacists: advice for the first few years
![Office workers collaborating at desk](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pro-skills-supervision-lead-art-343x194.jpg)
Educational supervision, assessment and feedback for pharmacists
Practice-based skills
![Photo of a simulated medical environment for testing purposes](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OSCE-343x194.jpg)
Preparing for OSCEs in pharmacy training
![Photo of an older man's hand with a lot of different pills and tablets, in a frame that says](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Optimising-reconciliation-343x194.jpg)
Optimising the pharmacy team to deliver effective medicines reconciliation during new patient registration
![A pharmacist searching in a drawer for medicines](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lead-4-343x194.jpg)
How to navigate and ensure effective patient communication about medicines shortages
![Close up of senior man rubbing sore throat or pained neck](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lead-1-343x194.jpg)
How to identify red-flag symptoms and refer patients appropriately
![Stylised illustration of a pharmacist using a stethoscope on a patient's chest](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Untitled_Artwork-6-343x194.jpg)
Performing a physical examination on a patient when prescribing
![Stylised illustration of a pharmacist taking down a patient's history](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/History-e1701180097251-343x194.jpg)
Principles of effective history taking when prescribing
![Photo of a young pharmacist taking medication off a shelf, with the words](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lead-image-343x194.jpg)
How to support pharmacists during hospital rotations
Prescribing
![Stylised illustration of a man showing his pharmacist that his head hurts, with her showing him an open laptop](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Diagnostic_Reasoning-343x194.jpg)
Principles of diagnostic reasoning
![Stylised illustration of a pharmacist using a stethoscope on a patient's chest](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Untitled_Artwork-6-343x194.jpg)
Performing a physical examination on a patient when prescribing
![Stylised illustration of a pharmacist taking someone's blood pressure](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Assessment_Prescribing-e1702337818296-343x194.jpg)
Introduction to clinical assessment for prescribers
![Image collage of different topics from the quiz with a large question mark in a circle in the centre](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Lead-343x194.jpg)
Test yourself: the 2023 CPD and Learning quiz
![Stylised illustration of a pharmacist taking down a patient's history](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/History-e1701180097251-343x194.jpg)
Principles of effective history taking when prescribing
![Collage of four illustrated images of different situations in prescribing as a pharmacist](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/prescribing-quiz-343x194.jpg)
Test yourself: communication and person-centred practice for prescribing
![Stylised illustration of a woman talking to her prescribing pharmacist](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Lead-1-e1700230389670-343x194.jpg)
Introduction to the prescribing consultation
Professional judgement and decision making
![Photo of a simulated medical environment for testing purposes](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OSCE-343x194.jpg)
Preparing for OSCEs in pharmacy training
![Photo of an older man's hand with a lot of different pills and tablets, in a frame that says](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Optimising-reconciliation-343x194.jpg)
Optimising the pharmacy team to deliver effective medicines reconciliation during new patient registration
![Stylised illustration of a man showing his pharmacist that his head hurts, with her showing him an open laptop](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Diagnostic_Reasoning-343x194.jpg)
Principles of diagnostic reasoning
![A man taking notes sits across from a patient who looks depressed or preoccupied with concerns.](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Lead-image-e1694522098492-343x194.jpg)
How to approach challenging scenarios in primary care pharmacy
![Business person arranging notes on desk](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Complex-decisions-Lead-V2-343x194.jpg)
Complex decision-making for foundation and newly qualified pharmacists
![Healthcare professionals discussing information on clipboard](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Clinical-reasoning-lead-1-343x194.jpg)
How to use clinical reasoning in pharmacy
![How to have a difficult conversation](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/professional-skills-difficult-conversations-343x194.jpg)
Approaching difficult situations: how to have challenging conversations
Research skills and experience
![Illustration of the five OPERA shortlisted nominees in a circle, with the logo in the middle](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Lead-3x2-2-343x194.jpg)
Getting into research
![Stylised illustration of a woman looking at a computer quizzically with an ipad in her hand.](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Data-343x194.jpg)
Using data to improve prescribing practice
![Photo of the four RPS journals](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Lead-1-e1702914857240-343x194.jpg)
Top ten articles of 2023 from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s research journals
![Illustration of a pharmacist with a diverse selection of boxes behind them in different skin tones.](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AA_FF_1.3-e1689239980234-343x194.jpg)
Ethnicity research gap: is pharmacy the key to making trials more representative?
![Illustration of a globe with a microscope over it, focusing tightly on an area in England](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/RWE_Lead-343x194.jpg)
Beyond RCTs: the real-world evidence revolution
![woman taking notes in laboratory next to microscope](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/professional-skills-project-management-new-343x194.jpg)
Using project management principles to improve research projects
![Parastou Donyai](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Parastou-Donyai-circle-WM-343x194.jpg)
Studies of public opinion bring the dangers of laxity to light
Service innovations and improvement
![Photo of two people looking at an ipad, with](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Lead-5-343x194.jpg)
How to incorporate strategic priorities into clinical pharmacy practice
![Photo of an automated dispensing machine](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lead-15-343x194.jpg)
Replacing automated medication dispensing machines: how to plan and implement change when equipment reaches end of life
![A case file with an older couple gardening happily in the sun](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lead-14-343x194.jpg)
Case-based learning: social prescribing and pharmacy professionals
![Photo of a pharmacist at shelves with an ipad to dispense medicines](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lead-343x194.jpg)
Adopting a quality improvement approach to patient safety incidents
![Pro-Skills: How to conduct a clinical audit in six steps](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Pro-Skills-How-to-conduct-a-clinical-audit-in-six-steps-Final--343x194.jpg)
How to conduct a clinical audit in six steps
![](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Pro-Skills_Quality-improvement_WM-343x194.jpg)
Quality improvement in pharmacy practice
![woman showing report to colleagues at table](https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pro-skills_How-to-write-a-business-case-343x194.jpg)