Mastering the Oriel Process: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Pharmacy Students in England and Wales

Dec 4

Author Introduction

My name is Simon Evans, and I am an incoming final year pharmacy student at Cardiff University. In between third and fourth year of university, all pharmacy students undertake the Oriel process which determines where students will be undertaking their foundation year. This can be a daunting process as it decides where a student will end up working after university but with structure and understanding this process is relatively simple. In this article I will guide you through the process for England and Wales.

Introduction

The Oriel process is a crucial step for pharmacy students in England and Wales, determining their foundation year placement and ultimately shaping their early career trajectory. While the process may seem daunting, understanding its intricacies can ease the burden and help you secure your desired placement. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the Oriel process, offering insights and strategies to maximize your chances of success.

Demystifying Oriel: A Central Hub for Pharmacy Training Recruitment

Oriel serves as the central online platform for foundation pharmacist training recruitment, streamlining the application process for multiple programs. It allows candidates to indicate their preferences for hospital, primary care (community pharmacy and general practice), and prison pharmacy placements.

The Oriel Assessment Process: Evaluating Key Attributes

The Oriel application process comprises two distinct assessments: the situational judgement test (SJT) and the pharmaceutical calculations test. The SJT evaluates five key attributes drawn from the Foundation Trainee Pharmacist Professional Attributes Framework:

Person-centred care
Collaboration across professions and leadership
Professional integrity and ethical conduct
Problem-solving, clinical analysis, and decision-making
Communication skills

The SJT consists of 52 scenarios to be addressed within a 104-minute timeframe. It employs two response formats:

Ranking: Rank 5 responses in order of appropriateness for each scenario.
Multiple Choice: Select the 3 most suitable actions out of 8 for each scenario.

The numeracy test assesses an applicant's ability to perform fundamental pharmaceutical calculations. It consists of ten questions to be completed within 20 minutes. The test covers various aspects of pharmaceutical calculations, including:

Doses and Dose Regimens
Dosage and Unit Conversion
Concentrations
Dilutions
Utilizing Provided Formulae
Calculating Quantities for Supply

This test ensures that applicants possess the necessary numerical skills for success in pharmaceutical roles.

Navigating Preferences: Prioritizing Your Program Choices

After submitting your application, you'll have the opportunity to select your program preferences. A program refers to the specific training position being offered, and all programs last 12 months (52 weeks). Each program can accommodate one or more positions, known as "places."

Program information is accessible starting from the application opening date, which is June 7th. To access program details, choose the "Pharmacy Programmes" option from the Oriel Menu bar.

Reviewing this information early is recommended to familiarize yourself with the various programs offered. This helps save time when selecting preferences. During the preference selection window, you'll have access to filters that can assist in refining your choices. These filters include:

The county or area where the program is based.
The type of employer, such as Hospital or Primary Care (including Community Pharmacy and General Practice).
The size of the organization (for primary care programs only).
Specialty (relevant to hospital programs only).
The number of placements available within a program.
Whether the employer can provide Skilled Worker sponsorship.

Reviewing this information and using the filters provided will help you make informed decisions when selecting your preferred programs.

You can assign programs to one of three categories:

No Preference: All programs initially fall into this category. This means you're willing to accept any of these programs if you don't receive your preferred choices.
Not Wanted: Select all programs you're unwilling to accept into this category.
Preference: Select the programs you'd be happiest to accept and rank them in order of preference, starting with 1 for your most preferred program.

Preferencing opens in July and closes at 10am on October 31st.

Receiving and Accepting Offers: Understanding the Process

Offers are made based on your overall rank in the country, determined solely by your SJT exam outcome. The numeracy component only factors into your score in case of a tiebreak. However, the numeracy test still matters as failing it (getting less than 3 out of ten) automatically disqualifies you from the entire process.

You'll have 48 hours (excluding weekends and bank holidays) to accept, accept with upgrades, or decline an offer. Declining an offer or letting it expire removes you from the Oriel process and prevents you from receiving subsequent offers.

Offer upgrades are possible in certain circumstances, but once upgraded, you cannot revert to your previous offer.

Overall Thoughts: Embracing the Journey with Confidence

Initially, the Oriel application process can be overwhelming, with a multitude of programs and preferences to navigate. However, delving into the provided handbook can significantly enhance understanding. The Oriel mock exam is an invaluable resource, providing a realistic simulation of the actual SJT