Trainee Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician (Apprentice)

Job overview

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 above apprenticeship programme, you will become a qualified Pharmacy Technician, and be able to register with GPhC.

This opportunity includes:

• Paid employment with holiday leave
• Hands-on-experience working in a leading NHS organisation
• 6 hours per week time, pro rota off-the-job learning
• 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

Or

If you have 2 years Pharmacy experience and already have your NVQ L2 in Pharmacy services or equivalent then you may apply but will need to pass a science assessment before being offered the post.

You must be able to provide the original certificates (or certified copies) of these qualifications at the interview stage.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to gain significant new knowledge and skills and boost your career within Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

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 our 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 as well as providing advice and guidance to patients about their medicines.

As an apprenticeship this role is supported by an accompanying assessment and skills development programme, during which the post holder will gain the skills and knowledge relevant for this role. Learning will be a mix of in the workplace, formal on and off the job training, and the opportunity to practise new skills in a real work environment. On successful completion of their Apprenticeship, they will have the right knowledge, skills, and behaviours they need for their chosen role.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

• To assist in the receipt of prescriptions accurately according to safe working practices.
• To assist in the dispensing of prescriptions accurately and according to safe working practices.
• To 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.
• To assist in the dispensing of controlled drug prescriptions and associated record keeping.
• To assist in stock control within the Pharmacy, wards, departments, and clinics.
• To request stocks and special line items in order to fulfil prescriptions.
• To take payment for prescriptions according to the departmental procedure.
• To assist in the preparation and assembly of supplies for delivery to wards and departments.
• To assist in the dispensing of extemporaneous medicines, using specific equipment (e.g., fume cupboards and weighing balances) and taking protective measures. Weighing and measuring must be accurate as there are narrow margins for errors.
• To assist in the preparation and dispensing of aseptically prepared products and cytotoxic drugs in accordance with agreed procedures of good practice and safety.
• To assist other members of staff in the performance of their duties.
• To answer phone calls and queries from patients and other healthcare professionals and refer to the appropriate person when necessary.
• To assist in the provision of individual dose dispensing and blister packing services for patients who have difficulty with normal medicines packaging.
• To assist in the preparation and assembly of resuscitation and anaphylaxis boxes according to Trust Policy.
• To participate as necessary in weekend, evening, bank holiday and on-call rotas in response to the changing needs of the service.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To work to the code of ethics and standards of practice as laid down by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• To undertake and successfully complete all aspects of the Approved training course for Pre-registration Pharmacy Technicians, including work-based projects and college assignments, as employment and progression to year 2 of the course is entirely dependent on completing year 1.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• To use the Pharmacy computer system and input data responsibly and accurately, for all duties requiring it’s use.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• To assist in departmental audit research projects to improve and develop the service provision, and to record and information required and assist in the compilation of necessary data.