Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- Apprenticeship
- Contract
- Fixed term: 25 months (Apprenticeship)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
- Job ref
- 265-7538855-CSS
- Employer
- Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Northampton General Hospital
- Town
- Northampton
- Salary
- £14,722 per annum / pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 04/11/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Apprentice Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician
Apprenticeship
Job overview
This is a 25 month funded Apprenticeship Training Scheme to gain qualifications necessary to register and practice as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council
The training will be hospital-based, with attendance at College by a virtual classroom on one day per week commencing February 2026. This will provide the underpinning knowledge required for the Pharmacy qualification, whist being supported by learning and developing skills in the hospital Pharmacy.
Main duties of the job
Working under supervision while undertaking assigned duties and learning skills in Pharmacy: dispensing, processing prescriptions, distribution of medicines, preparing for aseptic dispensing, ordering , receipt and storage of medicines, review of patients own medicines and medicine history.
Attending college lectures, completing assignments & tasks to show competence in the necessary for the ‘Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians BTEC Level 3’ Diploma.
Entry requirements are 5 GCSEs or equivalent, at Grade A* to C or 9 to 4 including Mathematics, English Language and Sciences.
GCSE equivalents gained abroad to be demonstrated by presentation of a UK ENIC comparability certificate.
Successful applicants must meet apprenticeship funding criteria.
Working for our organisation
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To assist in the provision of medicines for the treatment of patients. This will include the following:
To dispense prescriptions accurately and promptly for in-patients, out-patients, day-patients and leave/discharge patients.
To issue dispensed medicines to patients and confirm that they know how to use them.
To issue supplies of stock preparations for wards, departments, and other areas, and to assist with the ‘top-up’ system.
Assist with Pharmacy ward-based activities including assessment of patients own medicines and taking patient medication histories under supervision.
To use technical and pharmaceutical skills to prepare medicines in an acceptable form for patients. This will include the following:
To assist in the assembly of medicinal products in accordance with local policies.
To assist in the preparation of aseptic and cytotoxic medicines under supervision.
To assist in the maintenance of a clean and efficient environment suitable for the handling and compounding of medicinal substances.
To ensure proper cleaning, maintenance, and use of equipment.
To use technical and pharmaceutical skills to ensure control, security, quality and value for money of medicines. This will include the following:
To assist in maintaining appropriate storage and stock levels of medicines in Pharmacy departments to ensure quality, potency, and economy.
To help to maintain an accurate computerised Pharmacy stock control system; to take part in stock control procedures.
To assess and return medicines for re-use in accordance with departmental policy.
To undertake duties connected with the wholesale ordering and receipt of medicines and ensure that the necessary manual and computer records are maintained.
Apprenticeship Responsibilities to attain the Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians. This will include the following:
To be an ambassador for the Apprenticeship Programme
To attend any training associated with the Apprenticeship Programme and complete units within deadlines.
To be committed to completing the training and completing the two-year programme.
To achieve competence in the technical aspects of Pharmacy Services.
To be responsible for completing a portfolio of evidence to show competence in Pharmacy Service Skills.
Shadow team members, attend meetings and undertake learning opportunities.
Attend training sessions and workshops as directed.
Participate with supervision sessions to identify progress and take on board constructive criticism when needed. Meet your assessor on a regular basis to action plan for your
portfolio.
To maintain good time keeping and attendance, and comply with dress code.
To achieve the required attendance and successfully complete the underpinning knowledge required for the Diploma and for registration with GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician.
Person specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Pharmacy experience either in hospital or community working as an Assistant Technical Officer or Dispenser
- Knowledge of GPhC standards for Pharmacy professionals
- An interest in healthcare and the NHS
Desirable criteria
- Dealing with customers/patients
- Individual and organisation’s role in recognising and minimising errors
Skills
Essential criteria
- Practical mathematical ability
- Computer skills
Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential criteria
- 5 GCSE’s Grade C / 4, or above, (or equivalent), including English language, Mathematics and Science.
- Meet Apprenticeship Funding eligibility criteria
Desirable criteria
- NVQ Level 2 Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills, or equivalent modules
- Educated to ‘A’ level standard
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jane Thompson
- Job title
- Pharmacy Technician (Training and Education)
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01604 544533
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Northampton General Hospital
Northampton
NN1 5BD
- Telephone
- 01604 544 745 | Opt: 1
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