Trainee Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician (Apprentice) in Knowsley

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join Team MWL. With us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realizing your true ambitions and aspirations. Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

An exciting opportunity is available to join the Team at MWL as a Pre‑Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician in our Pharmacy team based at Whiston and St Helens Hospitals. This is a 2‑year fixed‑term training post of 37.5 hours per week, working towards successful completion of:

• Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) Level 3

On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, you will become a qualified Pharmacy Technician and be able to register with the GPhC. This opportunity includes:

• Paid employment with holiday leave
• Hands‑on experience working in a leading NHS organisation
• 6 hours per week of off‑job learning (pro rata)
• Support to gain a nationally recognised qualification

Applicants must have at least 4 GCSEs or equivalent, at grade C (or grade 4 or above) which must include Maths, English, and Science. Alternatively, if you have 2 years of pharmacy experience and already hold your NVQ L2 in Pharmacy services or equivalent, you may apply but will need to pass a science assessment before being offered the post. You must be able to provide original certificates (or certified copies) of these qualifications at the interview stage.

Main Duties of the Job

You must be willing and able to follow an academic and practical training course and commit to undertaking at least 10 hours per week of your own time to complete college assignments. Successful completion of this training will allow you to register with the GPhC as a practicing Pharmacy Technician. As a Pre‑Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician, you will rotate through different sections of the Pharmacy department, including inpatient and outpatient dispensing, ward services and pharmacy stores, where you will be working with newly installed automated dispensing systems. You will be preparing and dispensing a broad range of medicines including controlled drugs, learning how to undertake a medicines reconciliation at ward level, final accuracy checking of prescriptions and providing advice and guidance to patients about their medicines. Through an accompanying assessment and skills development programme, you will gain the skills and knowledge relevant for this role. Learning will be a mix of workplace, formal on‑and‑off‑the‑job training, and the opportunity to practise new skills in a real work environment. On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will have the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for the role.

Key Duties

• Assist in receipt of prescriptions accurately according to safe working practices.
• Assist in dispensing of prescriptions accurately and according to safe working practices.
• Fully participate in the trainee technicians’ rota through each area of the pharmacy, including the dispensaries at St Helens and Whiston, pharmacy stores, medicines information and the aseptic dispensing unit.
• Assist in dispensing of controlled drug prescriptions and associated record keeping.
• Assist in stock control within the pharmacy, wards, departments and clinics.
• Request stocks and special line items to fulfil prescriptions.
• Take payment for prescriptions according to departmental procedure.
• Assist in preparation and assembly of supplies for delivery to wards and departments.
• Assist in dispensing of extemporaneous medicines, using specific equipment (e.g., fume cupboards and weighing balances) and taking protective measures.
• Assist in preparation and dispensing of aseptically prepared products and cytotoxic drugs in accordance with agreed procedures of good practice and safety.
• Assist other staff in their duties.
• Answer phone calls and queries from patients and healthcare professionals and refer to the appropriate person when necessary.
• Assist in provision of individual dose dispensing and blister packing services for patients who have difficulty with normal medicines packaging.
• Assist in preparation and assembly of resuscitation and anaphylaxis boxes according to Trust Policy.
• Participate in weekend, evening, bank holiday and on‑call rotas as required.

Clinical & Professional Responsibilities

• Work to the code of ethics and standards of practice as laid down by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Undertake and successfully complete all aspects of the approved training course for pre‑registration pharmacy technicians, including work‑based projects and college assignments.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Use the pharmacy computer system and input data responsibly and accurately.

Research & Audit

• Assist in departmental audit and research projects to improve and develop service provision.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE Grade C/4 in English and Maths and/or equivalent.
• For those with an education, health and care plan or legacy statement, the minimum requirement is Entry Level 3.
• A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is equivalent to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
• 2 years current experience working in a pharmacy setting, combined with a NVQ L2 in Pharmacy Service skills or other GPhC recognised qualification, with or without a science subject.
• Candidates without the above experience and qualification must have at least one science qualification GCSE Grade A‑C.
• Qualification to be gained over the period of the apprenticeship: commitment to and completion of the Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification.

Knowledge & Experience

• Able to communicate with a range of people in a clear and understood way.
• Demonstrate an ability to work as part of a team to achieve a common goal.
• Can plan, organise and effectively prioritise tasks to achieve objectives.
• Can manage own time and activity to meet deadlines.
• Has an understanding of the NHS.
• Has previous experience working in a pharmacy setting.
• IT skills with knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office package.

Skills

• Good verbal and communication skills.
• Ability to work and follow instruction accurately.
• Well‑organised with good time management skills.
• Ability to work accurately and under pressure.
• Ability to be part of a team.
• Reliable, trustworthy and able to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to use own initiative and show resilience.

Other

• Ability to travel between hospital locations.
• Ability to participate in the department rota for late and weekend working.
• Supportive of colleagues of all grades.
• Always comply with Trust policies and procedures at all times.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups.

Disability Confident Leader

As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

Armed Forces Veteran Support

We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

Flexible Working

All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment. There is no limit on the number of requests they can make. Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.

Working for Team MWL

We offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments where applicable, 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offers a variety of services. We will consider requests for flexible working. We also encourage you to discuss flexible working options at interview stage.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.