The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and NHS England (NHSE) have appointed Becky Jarvis as their “new national pharmacy technician fellow”, the regulator announced last week.

The one-year fixed-term fellowship is co-hosted by the GPhC and the chief pharmaceutical officer (CPhO) office.

Jarvis will begin on July 1, working across both organisations.

Read more: GPhC and NHSE appoint first joint pharmacy technician fellow

The appointment follows the “success” of last year’s inaugural joint programme when Olivia Musson undertook a one-year fixed term fellowship.

Jarvis has spent over 25 years as a pharmacy technician working across primary care, commissioning, hospital, care homes and mental health services, and is the chair of the Surrey and Sussex branch of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK).

She said she was “excited by the opportunity to contribute to national work across NHS England and the General Pharmaceutical Council” and is “honoured” to be appointed as the fellow.

Read more: NHSE reveals new pharmacy technician CPhO fellowship role

“I hope to inspire others to recognise the opportunities available within our profession and the impact pharmacy technicians can have at every level of the healthcare system.

“Having witnessed first-hand how the profession has evolved over the past 25 years, I am passionate about helping shape the next chapter for pharmacy technicians and those entering the profession in the future.”

Patient care

Jarvis began as a student pharmacy technician before the pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician role existed. She progressed through different roles until her most recent role as lead pharmacy technician in an NS mental health trust.

NHSE’s senior professional advisor pharmacy technician Liz Fidler said Jarvis has a “strong commitment to improving patient care and professional leadership” that will help both the GPhC and CPhO’s office “deliver their strategic intentions regarding pharmacy technician professional practice”.

Read more: NHSE&I appoints first-ever pharmacy technician advisor to CPhO team

GPhC chief pharmacy officer Roz Gittins added the fellowship helps to understand how pharmacy technicians can “continue to evolve their practice and contribute to delivering high-quality care for patients”.

A similar pharmacy technician fellowship was announced by NHSE CPhO David Webb in October 2023, after appointing Fidler as the first-ever pharmacy technician to his team in 2021.