Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician
Job overview
This is a fantastic opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
The successful candidate will be enrolled onto a GPhC approved Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship course.- This will involve working in different pharmacy teams across CNWL NHS and completing assignments/exams as set by the training provider.
- The pre-registration pharmacy technician will work under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician carrying out all the required duties of a registered pharmacy technician.
- This will include working in Pharmacy Stores, Pharmacy Dispensary & Pharmacy Clinical teams, providing care to both community teams and bedded inpatient wards.
- This role will require you to work within teams that provide pharmacy services to mental health and physical rehabilitation units.
This is an apprenticeship post and will include working remotely 1 day per week to attend a virtual classroom and/or undertake study as per training provider + apprenticeship requirements.
The training course duration is 2 years. Success is determined by completing set assignments/assessments, attending ‘12-week reviews’ and meeting the ‘end-point assessment’ criteria.
Main duties of the job- To successfully complete the requirements of the pharmacy technician course/ qualification within the deadline set, meeting the GPhC standards for the initial education and training of pharmacy technicians
- To meet the various requirements of the apprenticeship scheme, including ‘off the job training’ and completion of 12-week reviews
- To accurately dispense, and issue prescriptions including clinical trials under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.
- To receive prescriptions and orders from patients and hospital staff in accordance with dispensary procedures.
- To undertake the final accuracy checking competency (as per course requirements) under the supervision of a pharmacist or qualified pharmacy technician
- To participate in the operation of efficient stock control and management systems for the various areas within the pharmacy, wards and departments
- To provide wards and units with pharmacy medicines optimisation services, under the supervision of a pharmacy technician or pharmacist
- To provide patients and service users with advice and guidance on how to take their medicines effectively
- To work at other CNWL pharmacy sites when necessary, for training and education purposes
Working for our organisation
CNWL Pharmacy department has a long and established history of supporting trainee pharmacy professionals to achieve excellence.
As a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT) you will get to work in different areas of CNWL Pharmacy over the 2 year training period; getting to know and understand what it takes to become a registered pharmacy technician.
In this role you will fulfil the occupational duties of a pharmacy technician, with full supervision and support every step of the way.
Whether you are working in dispensary, pharmacy stores or on the inpatient wards, our mission is to provide safe and compassionate care to our service users at all times.
A career as a Pharmacy Technician is highly rewarding. Once you have completed the training programme and registered with the GPhC, the development pathways are endless; with career paths in education and training, technology, manufacturing, operational management and advanced clinical practice.
Please note to be eligible for the Apprenticeship scheme you will need to meet the following:
- UK National/UK Citizen/UK Resident
- Right to work in the UK and you have been ordinarily resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years on the first day of the Apprenticeship
- Your right to work in the UK must exceed beyond the course duration
- Meets education and qualification requirements to enrol (see above)
- Must be able to work >30hrs per wee
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Key responsibilities- To complete all tasks in accordance with the relevant legislation, local standard operating procedures, and local Medicines Policy
- To accurately dispense, and issue prescriptions including clinical trials under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.
- To receive prescriptions and orders from patients and hospital staff in accordance with dispensary procedures
- To participate in the operation of efficient stock control and management systems for the various areas within the pharmacy, wards and departments
- To accurately document all relevant information pertaining to patient care using the electronic patient notes and prescribing systems
- To maintain all necessary records including the use of computer equipment and other appropriate documents.
- To contribute to the smooth running of the dispensary, including where necessary cover for other staff.
- To provide wards and units with medicines optimisation services, under the supervision of a pharmacy technician or pharmacist.
- To maintain a safe system of work at all times, including the knowledge of and abiding by the fire precautions, departmental and trust safety policies and standard operating procedures.
- To promote the professional image of pharmacy within the Trust by ensuring the standard of dress and behaviour reflect the professional service offered by the pharmacy department.
- To work at other pharmacy sites when necessary, for training and education purposes
- To adhere to GPhC standards for pharmacy professionals at all times
- To successfully complete the requirements of the pharmacy technician course/ qualification within the deadline set, meeting the GPhC standards for the initial education and training of pharmacy technicians
- To meet the various requirements of the apprenticeship scheme, including ‘off the job training’ and completion of 12-week reviews
- To undertake medicine optimisation competency, inclusive of medicine reconciliation and patient counselling, under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician
- To provide patients and service users with advice and guidance on how to take their medicines effectively
- To undertake the final accuracy checking competency (as per course requirements) under the supervision of a pharmacist or qualified pharmacy technician
- To provide patients and service users with advice and guidance on how to take their medicines effectively
- To have compassion and understanding for all service users and staff, demonstrating role-model behaviour at all time
- Ensure information is provided in a timely manner, to the appropriate individual (in accordance with the degree of urgency of the request or issue identified).
- Present information in a suitable format (e.g. written and/or verbal) and style for the target audience. Taking into consideration any potential barriers to effective communication.
- Communicate with staff in clinical areas about medicines supply.
- Communicate pharmacy technical issues with other pharmacy staff employed across the Trust.
- Participate in service development and monitoring through attendance at relevant meetings.
- To maintain excellent communication with your workplace educational supervisor and training programme tutors
- Provide advice to patients on medicines within your scope of practice.
- Use appropriate questioning techniques to discuss a patient’s medication history
- To attend regular workplace educational supervisor reviews, 12-week reviews with the course provider and trainee pharmacy professional forums
- To provide and receive constructive feedback on all individual performance, learning experience and assessment outcome results/experiences
- Be responsible for own learning in order to update pharmaceutical and clinical knowledge and skills.
- To identify your own learning needs and request relevant training or support when necessary
- Undertake regular meetings with supervisors and to reflect on own performance and feedback given by others
- To follow standard operating procedures and professional standards at all times
- To be compliant with all mandatory training as set by the trust education and training team
- Adhere at all times to the ‘Learning Agreement’ and declarations made to the apprenticeship team and the training provider
- Participate fully in all the learning and study experiences made available in the workplace and by the training provider.
- Undertake regular meetings, with internal and external trainers /assessors to ensure assignments and assessments are being completed within agreed deadlines
- To be familiar with trainee support mechanisms and processes
- To attend the ‘CNWL Trainee Pharmacy Professional’ forums as set by the education programme director
- To attend all pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician engagements/meetings as per ‘NHS England Workforce, Training and Education’ instructions
- Contribute to the development of CNWL pharmacy services through CNWL Departmental and Pharmacy Technician meetings
(For more detail, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification documents attached to this advert)
Person specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria- Maths, English GCSE grade A*-C (4-9) or equivalent OR Maths, English and Science GCSE grade A*-C (4-9) or equivalent
- Willingness to undertake Functional skills qualifications for English and/or Maths if necessary
- Ability to meet the apprenticeship standard
- Completion of a GPhC recognised Pharmacy Support Staff qualification This can include: Pharmacy Assistant, Pharmacy Counter Assistant or Pharmacy Dispenser qualification(s) - Or Level 2 apprenticeship course in Pharmacy Services
- Completion of medicine optimisation training (POD assessment and transcribing for supply)
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria- Previous experience of working in a pharmacy setting
- Experience of working in a team
- Experience of Health and Safety practices
- Experience of working to deadlines
- Previous experience of working in secondary care pharmacy setting
- Previous experience of working in a mental health setting
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
Essential criteria- Computer literate (practical experience of using Microsoft Word and Excel)
- Fluent written/spoken English
- Ability to meet objectives and targets
- Ability to use initiative to solve problems
- Good communication skills (written and oral)
- Dispensing skills (primary or secondary care)
- Confident use of electronic prescribing, and ordering systems
OTHER
Essential criteria- Meets apprenticeship scheme eligibility
- /UK National/UK Citizen/UK Resident
- Right to work in the UK + has been ordinarily a resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years on the first day of the Apprenticeship
- The right to work in the UK must exceed beyond the course duration (Sept 2027)
- Meets education and qualification requirements to enrol (see JD)
- Must be able to work >30hrs per week
CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.
Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference.We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.
We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.
We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page
Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.
CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.
Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.
If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.