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Job summary

Main area
Pharmacy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Fixed term: 24 months (up to and including February 2028)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Plus a 2hr Saturday dispensary shift, every 8 to 10 weeks)
Job ref
333-C-HQ-2013
Employer
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
St Charles Hospital
Town
London
Salary
£30,546 - £32,207 per annum inc HCAS (pro rata if P/T)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
27/10/2025 23:59
Interview date
06/11/2025

Employer heading

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

NHS AfC: Band 3

 

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.

Job overview

This is a training post, to learn 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 work as a full-time member of the pharmacy team whilst completing a level 3/level 4 Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship programme 
  • To rotate through various areas of the pharmacy department, supporting the team(s) whilst learning new skills and acquiring knowledge 
  • To provide an accurate and efficient pharmacy dispensary service
  • To provide an excellent medicines optimisation service to patients on  bedded wards and within community health teams 
  • To work safely and efficiently as part of the stores, procurement and distribution team
  • To fulfil the requirements of the combined pharmacy technician training programme 

Working for our organisation

CNWL has a strong commitment to advancing pharmacy practice and embedding effective medicines optimisation systems into patient care. The pharmacy team is recognised for the contribution it makes to the safe and effective use of medicines for patients

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will need to demonstrate a good aptitude for managing your time; working as part of a team to fulfil the service demands of the CNWL pharmacy department whilst completing the necessary work to progress through the Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship programme. 

Upmost dedication to patient care, attention to detail and willingness to reflect and learn are essential qualities for this role.  

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Good level of basic education to meet the training provider enrolment requirements: Maths, English GCSE grade A*-C (4-9) or equivalent OR Maths, English and Science GCSE grade A*-C (4-9) or equivalent
  • Ability to meet the apprenticeship standard
  • Willingness to undertake Functional skills qualifications for English and/or Maths if necessary
Desirable criteria
  • 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)

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in a team
  • Experience of Health and Safety practices
  • Experience of working to deadlines
  • Previous experience of working in a pharmacy setting - **please note – ‘pharmacy skills bootcamp graduates’ will be considered as partial pharmacy experience**
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience of working in a secondary/tertiary care pharmacy setting
  • Previous experience of providing medicines optimisation services (POD checks & transcribing for supply)

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Computer literate (practical experience of using Microsoft Word and Excel)
  • Ability to use initiative to solve problems
  • Fluent written/spoken English
  • Ability to meet objectives and targets
  • Good organisation and prioritisation skills
Desirable criteria
  • Dispensing skills (primary or secondary care)
  • Confident use of electronic prescribing/ordering and patient management systems

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDWe are a Living Wage EmployerEmployers for CarersPurple SpaceHealthy Workplace - Excellence 2018Veteran AwareNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeNational Autistic SocietyDisability confident committedStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.AccessAbleStonewall Gold 2022Step into healthCarer Confident -AccomplishedNHS Rainbow Badge - BronzeArmed Forces CovenantStonewall Top 100 2024Stonewall Gold 2024Working Chance - unlocking women's potential

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jason Benning
Job title
Professional Lead Pharmacy Technician
Email address
[email protected]
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