Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for highly enthusiastic, self-motivated and committed individuals to train and become qualified Pharmacy Technicians, registered with the GPHC (General Pharmaceutical Council). You will join our Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT) programme, which will prepare you for your future career in mental health pharmacy. We are a pharmacy technician-led dispensary service with all operational areas managed by a team of Senior and Chief Pharmacy Technicians. The education provider that you will complete your under pinning knowledge training with is Buttercups.
Prior to interview you will be required to sit three assessments; these are to ascertain if your current level of English, Maths and Science meet the following minimum education requirements.
- English: GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent evidence
- Maths: GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent evidence
- Science: GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent evidence
The screening assessment consists of three tests:
- Maths: 81 questions (a mixture of multiple choice and text based) - pass mark 60%- 90-120 minutes
- English: 91 questions (a mixture of multiple choice and texted based) - pass mark 70%- 90-120 minutes.
- Science: 60 multiple choice questions based on Chemistry and Biology - pass mark 50% - 60 minutes.
If you pass these assessments you will be invited to interview.
NB: These results can form part of screening assessments with Buttercups prior to enrolment with them.
Main duties of the job
Full practical training will be provided in-house, whilst working towards a GPhC-accredited qualification and the Level 3 Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) Apprenticeship Standard, including End Point Assessment, in order to be eligible for registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacy Technician. Students will also be expected to undertake independent study outside working hours.
As a student, you will either be based at the Maudsley Hospital or Bethlem Royal Hospital. However, you may be asked to cover trainee technician duties at Lambeth Hospital or Ladywell unit at Lewisham Hospital.
You will rotate through the main areas of pharmacy: dispensary (in/out-patient services), Medicines Information, ward-based Medicines Management, Stores, Medicines Optimisation and Clinical Trials. You will be line managed and supported by the Chief E&T Technician -pharmacists, practice supervisors, pharmacy technicians and the Buttercups training provider.
Link to Apprenticeships in SLAM: https://www.slam.nhs.uk/about-us/training-and-development/apprenticeships/
Link to Buttercups training programme information pack: https://www.buttercupstraining.co.uk/sites/default/files/enrolment-forms/PTI%20Programme%20info%20pack%20v3.pdf
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.
SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field.
Job description
Job responsibilities
A 24 months fixed term rotational training post to learn and put into practice the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
To successfully complete the Certificate of Higher Education in Pharmacy Technician Practice and the end point assessment, to enable registration with the GPhC. This is an integrated, knowledge and skills based qualification to be delivered both by formal education & training via the Education Provider and in the workplace. The post holders progress will be monitored and supported by an Education Supervisor.
The post holder will need to demonstrate commitment to the training program throughout.
-
Will work under the supervision of Chief Technician - Education and Training, Dispensary Manager and liaises with all pharmacy staff.
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Under the guidance and supervision of pharmacists and qualified technicians, carry out pharmaceutical duties in all pharmacy sites. Some of the duties will be in the form of training exercises and competence based assessments.
-
Co-operate with all pharmacy staff in providing and developing a safe, efficient and comprehensive pharmaceutical service which is focused on the needs of patients / customers and the wider Trust. This will be in accordance with local standard operating procedures.
-
Rotations through dispensary (in- an out-patient services), Medicines Advice, ward based MMT, Stores, CMHTs and Clinical Trials.
Job description
Job responsibilities
A 24 months fixed term rotational training post to learn and put into practice the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
To successfully complete the Certificate of Higher Education in Pharmacy Technician Practice and the end point assessment, to enable registration with the GPhC. This is an integrated, knowledge and skills based qualification to be delivered both by formal education & training via the Education Provider and in the workplace. The post holders progress will be monitored and supported by an Education Supervisor.
The post holder will need to demonstrate commitment to the training program throughout.
-
Will work under the supervision of Chief Technician - Education and Training, Dispensary Manager and liaises with all pharmacy staff.
-
Under the guidance and supervision of pharmacists and qualified technicians, carry out pharmaceutical duties in all pharmacy sites. Some of the duties will be in the form of training exercises and competence based assessments.
-
Co-operate with all pharmacy staff in providing and developing a safe, efficient and comprehensive pharmaceutical service which is focused on the needs of patients / customers and the wider Trust. This will be in accordance with local standard operating procedures.
-
Rotations through dispensary (in- an out-patient services), Medicines Advice, ward based MMT, Stores, CMHTs and Clinical Trials.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 GCSEs at Grade 9 - 4 (A* - C) or equivalent (including Mathematics, English Language and at least one Science subject)
- Must meet all entry and eligibility requirements for the apprenticeship as defined by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Learning. If you already hold a qualification in pharmacy or another closely related subject at RQF Level 3 or above, you may not be eligible to enrol on the apprenticeship.
Desirable
- Mental health training course Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills (QCF) and/or Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science
- More than 1 GCSE in Science subjects at Grade 9 -4 (A* - C )
Experience
Essential
- Interested in pharmacy career
Desirable
- Experience of working in a hospital / community pharmacy
- Experience of working in a busy environment
- Interest in working in Mental Health
Skills
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work as part of a team and individually
- Good time management skills
- Ability to work accurately and with precision
- Ability to prioritise workload and organise self
- Ability to work to set standard operating procedures
Desirable
- Knowledge of pharmacy services
- Awareness of Health and Safety guidance and legislation
Professional training
Essential
- To be committed to fulfilling the Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (Integrated Apprenticeship) and the end point assessment
- To fulfill the 20% off the job training
- Be able to be registered with GPhC on completion of training
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 GCSEs at Grade 9 - 4 (A* - C) or equivalent (including Mathematics, English Language and at least one Science subject)
- Must meet all entry and eligibility requirements for the apprenticeship as defined by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Learning. If you already hold a qualification in pharmacy or another closely related subject at RQF Level 3 or above, you may not be eligible to enrol on the apprenticeship.
Desirable
- Mental health training course Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills (QCF) and/or Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science
- More than 1 GCSE in Science subjects at Grade 9 -4 (A* - C )
Experience
Essential
- Interested in pharmacy career
Desirable
- Experience of working in a hospital / community pharmacy
- Experience of working in a busy environment
- Interest in working in Mental Health
Skills
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work as part of a team and individually
- Good time management skills
- Ability to work accurately and with precision
- Ability to prioritise workload and organise self
- Ability to work to set standard operating procedures
Desirable
- Knowledge of pharmacy services
- Awareness of Health and Safety guidance and legislation
Professional training
Essential
- To be committed to fulfilling the Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (Integrated Apprenticeship) and the end point assessment
- To fulfill the 20% off the job training
- Be able to be registered with GPhC on completion of training
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
