Apprentice Pharmacy Technician

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

Train as a Pharmacy Technician while working within a supportive hospital pharmacy team through an accredited training programme.

This exciting opportunity offers the chance to undertake the Certificate of Higher Education in Pharmacy Technician Practice — the first Higher Education level Pharmacy Technician qualification in Great Britain, accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council in 2020. The programme is aligned to the Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship standard for England.

Delivered through a blended learning approach, the course combines interactive online learning, regional face-to-face study days and practical workplace-based training, enabling you to develop the knowledge, skills and experience required to qualify as a Pharmacy Technician.

As a trainee, you will be fully supported throughout your training by a Designated Educational Supervisor based within the hospital pharmacy department. You will also work closely with experienced pharmacy professionals and section leads while completing rotations across dispensary services, medicines management and ward-based pharmacy services.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop a rewarding career in pharmacy while making a positive contribution to patient care and medicines optimisation across the Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful candidate will undertake a structured rotational training programme designed to develop the knowledge, skills and experience required to qualify as a Pharmacy Technician.

Main areas of training and experience will include:

Dispensary-based training across both Southampton General Hospital and The Royal South Hants Hospital, where you will complete competency-based learning to accurately dispense medications during the first year, progressing to final accuracy checking of medicines during the second year. Receiving prescriptions, dispensing medications and providing advice to patients under supervision at the Royal South Hants Hospital. Pharmacy Stores experience, including the receipt, storage and distribution of medicines across the Trust and to external hospitals. Exposure to specialist areas including audit, pharmacy risk management, electronic prescribing and clinical trials. Ward-based learning, working directly with patients to discuss their medications and provide support and advice under supervision. Observational experience within our aseptic services, gaining insight into the preparation of intravenous antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and cytotoxic infusions.

The post is full time, working 37.5 hours per week, and includes participation in a one-in-six weekend rota (Saturday or Sunday) and one Bank Holiday per year, which may include Christmas Day.

Applicants must hold a minimum of four GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above, including Maths, English Language and a Science subject, or equivalent overseas qualifications.

Please note that Education and Skills Funding Agency apprenticeship funding rules state that non-UK nationals are eligible for funding if they have permission to live in the UK (for purposes other than education) and have ordinarily resided in the UK for at least three years prior to the start of the apprenticeship.

If shortlisted, candidates will be required to provide proof of qualifications prior to interview.

Post may close early should there be lots of applications.