Trainee Pharmacy Technician

Job overview

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.

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.

• 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.

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. For further information contact Rachel Eccleston, and Emma Shaw Chief Technicians, Education and Training.

Working for our organisation

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.

1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. To process telephone, face to face, fax and e-mail enquiries in a professional manner, referring to senior staff as appropriate
10. 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
11. To participate in the weekend, ‘late night’ and bank holiday rotas
12. To assist in the training of Assistant Technical Officers, Apprentice Technicians and other pharmacy staff as directed by senior staff and pharmacy procedures
13. 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).

prior skills and knowledge

• Skills and knowledge

Trust values and behaviours

• Demonstrate knowledge of Trust values and behaviours

• Please let us know if you require an adjustment to our recruitment process.
• All correspondence will be sent via the email address you have registered as your TRAC account.
• Selection is based on the Trust's values, and the criteria outlined in the Job Description for the role.
• Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure that their employees have a “right to work” in the UK. Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust hold a Sponsor Licence, which means that we MAY be able to sponsor you IF the role meets the UK Government requirements for sponsorship. Not all NHS roles are eligible for sponsorship. To be eligible for sponsorship, the role must be in an eligible occupation code and must meet the skill level and the minimum salary threshold (usually £38,700 per year for Skilled Worker or £23,200 for Health Care Worker Visa). You can find more information on the Government website.
• Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the entry point (bottom) of the pay band.
• Appointments are subject to a 6-month probationary period. LED Doctors are subject to a 3-month probationary period.
• Please provide a contact email address for referees when you submit your application. We will not request any references until after you have been made a formal job offer.
• You will be required to pay for your DBS disclosure (where the post requires one). This will be done via 3 monthly instalments from your pay. We encourage applicants to join and remain registered with the DBS update service.
• We do not reimburse travel to interview expenses.
• Some posts may have implications on existing NHS Pension Scheme arrangements. For further information please visit the NHS Pensions Agency website: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-pensions
• Secondments will be considered for fixed term positions when both parties agree. Candidates should seek approval from their current line manager before application.