Job summary
We are looking for highly motivated, enthusiastic and hardworking individuals to become part of thepharmacy workforce at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.The Pharmacy departments across Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust has vacancies for pre-registrationtrainee pharmacy technicians. This is an excellent opportunity to take the first step to becoming a registeredpharmacy technician.
We would like you to join us now to start gaining experience and providing essential pharmacy services, this is a fixed term post for 2 years, starting the qualification in September 2025.
Our Pre-registration Pharmacy Technician Apprentices undertake a 2-year learning training programme to study towards the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians. This is done under the supervision and support of our established pharmacy training team and you will be supervised by other specialist members of the pharmacy team throughout. The qualification will be a mixture of studying and showing competence within the workplace.One day a week is dedicated towards the study component of the course but there must be a commitment to study in your own time
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post
Main duties of the job
On successful completion of the qualification you will qualify as a Pharmacy Technician and be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council paving the way for a fulfilling and rewarding career.The post holders will be required to participate in rotations to include in-patient, dispensary services, outpatient pharmacy placements, ward-based medicines management and stores/procurement.
The appointed candidates will need to demonstrate that they are patient focused, have good interpersonal and communication skills, be a quick learner, keen to get involved and be committed to the training programme. The ability to cope with the discipline of studying whilst working as part of a team throughout this busy department is essential; therefore, a professional approach is key.
Applicants require a minimum of 4 GCSEs including Maths and English at grade 4 or C or above and 1 in Science subjects at grade 4 or C. As the training course is from the government funded apprenticeship scheme, please note that some qualifications you currently hold may render you ineligible to apply for this post, as funding is dependent on previous qualifications.
If you do not hold the required qualifications or already hold a Degree in a closely related subject for the post that you have applied for, unfortunately you will not be eligible for this apprenticeship and you will not be shortlisted. We expect applicants to have a clear understanding of the role of a Hospital Pharmacy Technician.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
- Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
- Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
- Improving the experience of staff with disability
- Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
- Making equalities mainstream
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
- To train as a pharmacy technician to undertake technical work under supervision.
- To participate in rotation as a full team-member providing services according to current procedures in dispensary, distribution, and wards.
- This is a fixed term post of 2 years for the period of training only. There is no guarantee that candidates who fail either year will be employed to repeat the year or that successful candidates will be offered employment as a qualified technician.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Training
- To undertake the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians qualification, which will be a mixture of studying and showing competence within the workplace.
- This may require working additional hours occasionally and some study will be required outside of working hours for completion of assignments competency paperwork.
- To learn and practice good teamwork, good communication techniques and customer care.
- To participate fully in the development of own learning and proactively seek learning opportunities, meeting deadlines as agreed.
Dispensary
- To accurately dispense prescriptions for both in and outpatients. Prescription types will include outpatients; inpatients; discharges; controlled drugs and clinical trials. This will involve inputting of patients details into the Pharmacy computer system and subsequently produce dispensing labels. The label, prescription and product are collected together and assembled. Any additional items such as spoons, bags etc are also added. The prepared items are checked for accuracy and passed to the pharmacist/accredited technician for final checking.
- To receive drug charts and prescriptions from the inpatient hatch and record details in the dispensary logs.
- To answer queries, both in the telephone and in person, with medical, nursing staff and patients and seek help from a pharmacist when necessary.
- To help investigate stock level discrepancies within the dispensary in line with current procedures.
- To perform the stock check of the emergency cupboard ensuring correct temperature and medicine expiry dates.
- To issue completed prescriptions and controlled drug supplies to ward staff.
- To undertake training to be able to accurately check the final dispensing of others.
Medicines Management
1. To undertake the in house medicines management training for ward based pharmacy technicians
2. To work on designated wards and perform a range of pharmacy related duties in accordance with set procedures.
3. To assist the Pharmacists and Medicines Management Technicians at ward level in providing a medicines management service to the wards.
4. To reduce wastage of medicines by assisting with medication transfer within the trust.
5. To be a point of contact for healthcare professionals and pharmacy staff on ward related issues.
6. To participate in the dispensing of pharmaceuticals for in-patients and support ward dispensing initiatives.
7. To ensure that clinical areas are adequately stocked with pharmaceuticals and according to departmental standards.
8. To complete all necessary training to meet the standards required for working at ward level.
9. To identify new patients and complete medicines reconciliations on admission, along with the clinical pharmacist, highlighting any discrepancies/missed items
10. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with members of the healthcare team and pharmacy team to support a seamless medicines management process
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
- To train as a pharmacy technician to undertake technical work under supervision.
- To participate in rotation as a full team-member providing services according to current procedures in dispensary, distribution, and wards.
- This is a fixed term post of 2 years for the period of training only. There is no guarantee that candidates who fail either year will be employed to repeat the year or that successful candidates will be offered employment as a qualified technician.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Training
- To undertake the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians qualification, which will be a mixture of studying and showing competence within the workplace.
- This may require working additional hours occasionally and some study will be required outside of working hours for completion of assignments competency paperwork.
- To learn and practice good teamwork, good communication techniques and customer care.
- To participate fully in the development of own learning and proactively seek learning opportunities, meeting deadlines as agreed.
Dispensary
- To accurately dispense prescriptions for both in and outpatients. Prescription types will include outpatients; inpatients; discharges; controlled drugs and clinical trials. This will involve inputting of patients details into the Pharmacy computer system and subsequently produce dispensing labels. The label, prescription and product are collected together and assembled. Any additional items such as spoons, bags etc are also added. The prepared items are checked for accuracy and passed to the pharmacist/accredited technician for final checking.
- To receive drug charts and prescriptions from the inpatient hatch and record details in the dispensary logs.
- To answer queries, both in the telephone and in person, with medical, nursing staff and patients and seek help from a pharmacist when necessary.
- To help investigate stock level discrepancies within the dispensary in line with current procedures.
- To perform the stock check of the emergency cupboard ensuring correct temperature and medicine expiry dates.
- To issue completed prescriptions and controlled drug supplies to ward staff.
- To undertake training to be able to accurately check the final dispensing of others.
Medicines Management
1. To undertake the in house medicines management training for ward based pharmacy technicians
2. To work on designated wards and perform a range of pharmacy related duties in accordance with set procedures.
3. To assist the Pharmacists and Medicines Management Technicians at ward level in providing a medicines management service to the wards.
4. To reduce wastage of medicines by assisting with medication transfer within the trust.
5. To be a point of contact for healthcare professionals and pharmacy staff on ward related issues.
6. To participate in the dispensing of pharmaceuticals for in-patients and support ward dispensing initiatives.
7. To ensure that clinical areas are adequately stocked with pharmaceuticals and according to departmental standards.
8. To complete all necessary training to meet the standards required for working at ward level.
9. To identify new patients and complete medicines reconciliations on admission, along with the clinical pharmacist, highlighting any discrepancies/missed items
10. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with members of the healthcare team and pharmacy team to support a seamless medicines management process
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- 4 GCSEs or equivalent Grade 9 - 4 (A* - C), including 1 core science subject plus English and Math
Desirable
- NVQ/BTEC Level 2 in Pharmacy Services
Experience
Desirable
- Previous experience of Pharmacy
- Previous experience of working towards and meeting deadlines
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Literate and numerate
- Ability to organise and manage own time
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrates enthusiasm and initiative
- Ability to work accurately under pressure with frequent interruptions
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- 4 GCSEs or equivalent Grade 9 - 4 (A* - C), including 1 core science subject plus English and Math
Desirable
- NVQ/BTEC Level 2 in Pharmacy Services
Experience
Desirable
- Previous experience of Pharmacy
- Previous experience of working towards and meeting deadlines
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Literate and numerate
- Ability to organise and manage own time
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrates enthusiasm and initiative
- Ability to work accurately under pressure with frequent interruptions
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
