Training for the Supply and Administration of Emergency Medicines and Vaccinations

Training for the Supply and Administration of Emergency Medicines and Vaccinations

About

The Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP), in conjunction with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), developed a modular system for training pharmacists in the Supply and Administration of Emergency Medicines and Vaccinations. This system is reflected in the Vaccination Training for pharmacists and Emergency Medicines training for pharmacists set out by the PSI and comprises a number of courses (some face-to-face and some online) which will equip pharmacists with the necessary skills and knowledge to safely administer these medicines and vaccines to patients.

The modular approach has been designed collaboratively by the PSI and IIOP to streamline the way in which pharmacists can acquire the skills for multiple services.  For example:

  • CPR courses from multiple providers are now recognised by the PSI; 
  • Courses such as Medicines Administration and CPR training will serve as a core building blocks for multiple services, thus reducing the training burden on pharmacists;
  • Online training will enable pharmacists to conveniently upskill in specific services once the core building blocks are in place;
  • All required online courses will be provided free-of-charge to registered pharmacists through the IIOP website (www.iiop.ie). 
Table of Courses

The PSI website provides full details on the training requirements for the supply and administration of vaccines in addition to the relevant legislation. Each pharmacist is responsible for ensuring they have completed the training required for supply and administration of vaccines. This detail is available on the PSI website.  Information on the specific courses can be found in the table below:

 

Course Name

  

Course Format

  

Course Information

  
  CPR   Face-to-face   Information on suitable courses available here  
  Parenteral Administration of Medicines (PAMT) Training Programme   Face-to-face   Hibernian Healthcare accredited provider. Further information available here  
  Opioid Overdose Awareness and Naloxone Administration Training (Module 1 only)   Online   Available to book on HSElanD  
  Responding to an Emergency Situation including the Management of Anaphylaxis (RESMA)   Online   Available to book from the Vaccinations tab at the All Courses & Events link or click here to enrol on the course directly  
  Delivery of a Pharmacy-based Vaccination Service   Online   Available to book from the Vaccinations tab at the All Courses & Events link or click here to enrol on the course directly  
  Administration of COVID-19 vaccines   Online   Available to book on HSElanD  
  Administration of Influenza Vaccination (2024/2025)   Online   Available to book from the Vaccinations tab at the All Courses & Events link or click here to enrol on the course directly. Course is now retired for 2024/25 season  
  Administration of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination   Online   Available to book from the Vaccinations tab at the All Courses & Events link or click here to enrol on the course directly  
  Administration of Herpes Zoster Vaccination   Online   Available to book from the Vaccinations tab at the All Courses & Events link or click here to enrol on the course directly  
  Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypoglycaemia and the Supply and Administration of Glucagon   Online   Available to book from the Accredited Online Programmes tab at the All Courses & Events link  
  Diagnosis and Treatment of a Severe Angina Attack and the Supply and Administration of Glyceryl Trinitrate   Online   Available to book from the Accredited Online Programmes tab at the All Courses & Events link  
  Diagnosis and Treatment of an Acute Asthmatic Attack and the Supply and Administration of Salbutamol   Online   Available to book from the Accredited Online Programmes tab at the All Courses & Events link  
Vaccination Training Identification Tool

In response to feedback, the IIOP has developed a resource intended to guide and support you in identifying your training requirements for the supply and administration of vaccinations, available below. As vaccine season approaches, we hope it is helpful.

IMPORTANT: The tool is intended to guide and support in identification of your training requirements for the supply and administration of vaccines. The PSI website provides full details on the training requirements for the supply and administration of vaccines in addition to the legislation which allows for such services. Every pharmacist is responsible for ensuring they have completed the training required for supply and administration of vaccines. This detail is available on the PSI website.

Each training program has a specific validity period. Pharmacists should verify both the date on their certificate of completion and the programme validity as outlined on the PSI website. 

NOTE: Links to IIOP training programmes will only be accessible to those registered with the IIOP as pharmacists.

Complete the following form
Influenza
Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide
COVID Vaccines

Here are the training programmes you need to undertake:

CPR Training Course is required

In order to supply and administer any vaccine, you need to hold a valid CPR qualification. Training is valid for two years (or as stated by the training provider).

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) has identified the following CPR training courses as being suitable to meet pharmacists’ training requirements in line with SI 449/2015:

  • Cardiac First Response Community Level PHECC, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council
  • Heartsaver® CPR AED, AHA

Here's a link to further CPR Training Information.

Responding to an Emergency Situation and Management of Anaphylaxis (RESMA) Training Programme is required

In order to supply and administer any vaccine, you need to hold a valid certificate in Responding to an Emergency Situation and Management of Anaphylaxis (RESMA) training programme. Training is valid for two years.

Here's a link to enrol on the online RESMA training programme. Note: Links will only be accessible to those registered with the IIOP as pharmacists.

Parenteral Administration of Medicines (PAMT) Training Programme is required

In order to supply and administer any vaccine, you need to hold a valid certificate in Parenteral Administration of Medicines (PAMT).

Pharmacists are asked to reflect, self-assess and to evaluate whether they need to refresh their training in this programme, in order to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely deliver the associated medicines or vaccination service. The PSI requires that this training programme is repeated in circumstances where a pharmacist has had a two-year break in vaccination practice or longer.

Here's a link to find out more about and / or register for PAMT training from Hibernian Healthcare.

Delivery of Pharmacy-Based Vaccination Service Training Programme is required

In order to supply and administer any vaccine, you need to hold a valid certificate in the Delivery of Pharmacy-Based Vaccination Service Training Programme. Pharmacists are asked to reflect, self-assess and to evaluate whether they need to refresh their training in this programme, in order to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely deliver a vaccination service.

Here's a link to enrol on the Pharmacy-Based Vaccination Service Training Programme Note: Links will only be accessible to those registered with the IIOP as pharmacists.

Administration of Influenza Vaccination Training Programme: optional

A pharmacist will be required to have up to date knowledge on any vaccine which is administered and can meet the training requirements in this regard by completing the specific training modules where available, and/or through review of, or having up-to-date knowledge in the relevant National Immunisation guidelines for Ireland, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for the vaccine and HSE guidance (where applicable). The PSI recommends pharmacists to complete the online training programmes for the specific vaccines, where available, but this is not a requirement.

Here's a link to enrol on the Administration of Influenza Vaccination Training Programme Note: Links will only be accessible to those registered with the IIOP as pharmacists.

Training Programme(s) specific to the particular COVID vaccine(s) you wish to administer: optional

A pharmacist will be required to have up to date knowledge on any vaccine which is administered and can meet the training requirements in this regard by completing the specific training modules where available, and/or through review of, or having up-to-date knowledge in the relevant National Immunisation guidelines for Ireland, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for the vaccine and HSE guidance (where applicable). The PSI recommends pharmacists to complete the online training programmes for the specific vaccines, where available, but this is not a requirement.

Available to book on HSElanD.

Administration of Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Training Programme: optional

A pharmacist will be required to have up to date knowledge on any vaccine which is administered and can meet the training requirements in this regard by completing the specific training modules where available, and/or through review of, or having up-to-date knowledge in the relevant National Immunisation guidelines for Ireland, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for the vaccine and HSE guidance (where applicable). The PSI recommends pharmacists to complete the online training programmes for the specific vaccines, where available, but this is not a requirement.

Here's a link to enrol on the Administration of Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Training Programme. Note: Links will only be accessible to those registered with the IIOP as pharmacists.

Administration of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Training Programme: optional

A pharmacist will be required to have up to date knowledge on any vaccine which is administered and can meet the training requirements in this regard by completing the specific training modules where available, and/or through review of, or having up-to-date knowledge in the relevant National Immunisation guidelines for Ireland, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for the vaccine and HSE guidance (where applicable). The PSI recommends pharmacists to complete the online training programmes for the specific vaccines, where available, but this is not a requirement.

Here's a link to enrol on the Administration of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Training Programme. Note: Links will only be accessible to those registered with the IIOP as pharmacists.