Trainee Pharmacy Technician

We are currently looking for two apprentice pharmacy technicians to begin a vocational training programme in September 2025. Pharmacy technicians are vital members of the pharmacy team. First year apprentices are based in the dispensary, learning how to dispense a wide variety of medicines and communicating with patients and other healthcare professionals. They will also spend some time in our stores, helping to ensure the wards have adequate supplies of medicines. Second year apprentices expand their work in the dispensary, including counselling patients about their medicines and checking dispensed medicines. They will also spend time on the wards, speaking with patients and gathering information about their medicines on admission to hospital. Some time is spent in Medicines Information, where queries are received on a wide range of medicines-related topics from patients, carers and healthcare professionals. One day each week is spent attending lessons and an extra half-day will be allocated as study time. The role of the pharmacy technician is becoming more complex as medicines become more sophisticated, with a wide variety of roles available in primary and secondary care as well as in community pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians often go on to complete other qualifications post-registration. Completion of the apprenticeship will allow the successful candidate to apply to the General Pharmaceutical Council for professional registration as a pharmacy technician.

Main duties of the job:

• Undertaking vocation-based training and completion of Pharmacy Technician qualification
• Receiving prescriptions from patients
• Answering the telephone
• Rotating in stores completing medicines stock requests
• Dispensing inpatient, discharge and outpatient prescriptions

You will:

• Possess or be awaiting results for 4 GCSE’s Grade C or above (grade 4 or above), including Mathematics, English Language, Biology and Chemistry (dual or triple science GCSE will be accepted if the modules include biology and chemistry). Please state your qualifications clearly on your application. Equivalent qualifications will be accepted at the discretion of the educational body.
• Be able to attend college weekly in person or on-line, on a day release basis for two years to obtain the BTEC level 3 diploma in the principles and practice for pharmacy technicians. The course provides the scientific knowledge and skills required to work as a qualified hospital pharmacy technician. Full support will be provided by the Chief Technician, Education and Training, throughout the course which will enable you to get the most out of your training.

Working for our organisation:

The ability to work accurately in a very busy environment, communicate with a wide range of people and work as a member of a large team is essential. You must show initiative, be hard working and patient-focused. You must demonstrate a friendly and professional attitude. This is a demanding role, which requires personal study at home in addition to time allocated in the workplace. You must, therefore, be well organised and self-motivated.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• To carry out routine dispensing and labelling of prescriptions using selected computerised systems for inpatients, discharge patients and outpatients. This includes dispensing unlicensed medicines, controlled drugs and extemporaneous preparations under supervision and in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• To carry out technical duties, on a rotational basis, such as the maintenance of emergency drug boxes, emergency drugs cupboard, filing of prescriptions, vaccine supply, clinical trials, dispensing compliance packs and pre-labelled discharge packs to wards and departments in accordance with pharmacy procedures.
• To participate in the ward based ‘one stop’ dispensing service which involves checking patients' own medicines and assessing their suitability for use, arranging re-supply of patients' medicines, liaising with G.P.s, nursing homes, community pharmacists, medical and ward staff, under supervision.
• To attend to outpatients coming to the pharmacy for prescriptions, collect prescription payments, deal with patients who are exempt from paying and those who have no money with them, helping to complete relevant forms and provide and receive information in a sensitive and professional manner, ensuring confidentiality at all times, referring to a pharmacist or pharmacy technician as necessary.
• To counsel patients on their medication, and issue patient information leaflets as part of Pharmacy Standard Level 3 training under the supervision of a pharmacist or qualified assessor.
• To participate in the packing, distribution, turnover and storage of stock pharmaceutical supplies to allocated wards and departments by means of the ‘topping up system’ or in response to requisitions from wards, under supervision.
• To participate in the preparation of total parenteral nutrition products, and any other aseptic work, including preparation of documentation and calculations using computerised systems, under supervision.
• To participate in procedures to control stock in the dispensary, including the monitoring of expiry dates, checking of stock and advising the Dispensary Manager of low stock levels.
• To process telephone, face to face, fax and e-mail enquiries in a professional manner, referring to senior staff as appropriate.
• To ensure care, attention to detail and accuracy is maintained at all times when dispensing prescriptions, using calculations for drug doses and undertaking other tasks.
• To participate in the weekend, ‘late night’ and bank holiday rotas.
• To assist in the training of Assistant Technical Officers, Apprentice Technicians and other pharmacy staff as directed by senior staff and pharmacy procedures.
• To act as a role model for new staff and other members of the technical support team.

Person specification:

• Qualifications: Possess 4 GCSE’s Grade C or above (grade 4 or above), including Mathematics, English Language, Biology and Chemistry (dual or triple science GCSE will be accepted if the modules include biology and chemistry).

Skills and knowledge:

Demonstrate knowledge of Trust values and behaviours.