Job summary
CDDFT Pharmacy pride ourselves in working at the leading
edge of clinical pharmacy practice and medicines management with our teams
achieving national recognition for innovative, high-quality patient care.
We have an opportunity for 2 pre-registration trainee
pharmacy technicians to undertake
training to develop the skills and knowledge to become a registered Pharmacy
Technician at the University Hospital of North Durham
Training will commence February 2026 with on-the-job
training across pharmaceutical standards, under the supervision/professional
direction of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. Teaching is delivered by
Bradford College towards completion of the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the
Principles and Practice.
You will hold the equivalent of four GCSEs at Grade 4 and
above, including mathematics, English language, science and another, or
qualifications at the equivalent grade. We welcome applications from school
leavers with the above provisional grades.
These are full time posts with training within
the training timeframe. On qualification and registration with the General
Pharmaceutical Council you will be eligible to apply for any vacant pharmacy
technician posts.
Main duties of the job
The successful post holders will be based at either
Darlington Memorial Hospital or the University Hospital of North Durham but
will be expected to cover roles at the other sites as detailed in the training
schedule. They will also participate in the provision of our 7 days service.
Contribute to the provision of a range of pharmaceutical
services including: Dispensary, Medicines Management, Purchasing, Distribution,
Ward top up service, Medicines Safety and Medicines Optimisation.
Ensure all pharmacy duties are carried out in accordance
with legal, ethical and professional guidelines and following departmental and
Trust procedures to meet the needs of our patients.
Undertake and complete the Pharmacy Technician (Integrated)
Apprenticeship and Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy
Technicians.
Undertake and complete the integrated Accuracy Checking
Technician element of the training to accurately check dispensed medicines
against a prescription.
Train and work in the designated areas as set
out in the Training & Development Schedule and complete the competencies
required for each standard towards successful completion of the qualification.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years
of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide a basic clinical technical
service by a range of pharmacy services to patients following departmental
standard operating procedures (SOPs) and local/national policies /procedures.
Work carried out will be under the supervision of a
pharmacist or pharmacy technician in the following areas:
Dispensary Services
Receive a range of prescriptions including processing or
providing advice on prescription charges or exemptions and booking in work
received.
Accurately dispense prescriptions and orders including
validation and interpretation of the order/prescription, selection of the
correct product, labelling of the product, ensuring that all documentation is
completed according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Carrying out a self-check to ensure accuracy of own work
before a final accuracy check is undertaken.
Ensuring work is processed according to department SOPs
Procurement and Distribution
Assist in the procurement of pharmaceutical stock to gain an
awareness of contracting, procurement and invoicing.
Participate in the management of drug recalls and medication
alerts
Participate in a "ward top-up system" on allocated
wards, ensuring stock levels and correct storage of pharmaceuticals is
maintained by ordering, assembling and issuing stock for the ward from the
pharmacy.
Participate in the maintenance of efficient stock
control including carrying out storage
and expiry checks as required, both in the pharmacy department and ward level
Reduce wastage by sorting pharmaceuticals returned from
wards according to pharmacy SOPs
Medicines Management and Medicines Optimisation
Work with the pharmacy ward based team to gain an insight
into the role of the ward-based technician
to ensure a safe,
effective and efficient service.
Under the supervision of a senior member of the ward
pharmacy team, competently order medicines for the patient at ward level,
assist in the completion of medicines reconciliation/drug history taking,
assess the suitability, quality and identification of Patient Own Drugs to
reduce unnecessary dispensing and counsel specific patients on their medication
to ensure that the patient understands how to take/use them effectively. The
counselling of patients will be undertaken within the post holders level of competency
General
Support the Leadership Team in the delivery of the strategic
medicines management plans.
Attend department staff meetings and participate in
scheduled training events.
Support Policy and Service Development
Implementation and contribute to the quality improvement of the service
contributing to audits, practice changes and reviews of the processes
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide a basic clinical technical
service by a range of pharmacy services to patients following departmental
standard operating procedures (SOPs) and local/national policies /procedures.
Work carried out will be under the supervision of a
pharmacist or pharmacy technician in the following areas:
Dispensary Services
Receive a range of prescriptions including processing or
providing advice on prescription charges or exemptions and booking in work
received.
Accurately dispense prescriptions and orders including
validation and interpretation of the order/prescription, selection of the
correct product, labelling of the product, ensuring that all documentation is
completed according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Carrying out a self-check to ensure accuracy of own work
before a final accuracy check is undertaken.
Ensuring work is processed according to department SOPs
Procurement and Distribution
Assist in the procurement of pharmaceutical stock to gain an
awareness of contracting, procurement and invoicing.
Participate in the management of drug recalls and medication
alerts
Participate in a "ward top-up system" on allocated
wards, ensuring stock levels and correct storage of pharmaceuticals is
maintained by ordering, assembling and issuing stock for the ward from the
pharmacy.
Participate in the maintenance of efficient stock
control including carrying out storage
and expiry checks as required, both in the pharmacy department and ward level
Reduce wastage by sorting pharmaceuticals returned from
wards according to pharmacy SOPs
Medicines Management and Medicines Optimisation
Work with the pharmacy ward based team to gain an insight
into the role of the ward-based technician
to ensure a safe,
effective and efficient service.
Under the supervision of a senior member of the ward
pharmacy team, competently order medicines for the patient at ward level,
assist in the completion of medicines reconciliation/drug history taking,
assess the suitability, quality and identification of Patient Own Drugs to
reduce unnecessary dispensing and counsel specific patients on their medication
to ensure that the patient understands how to take/use them effectively. The
counselling of patients will be undertaken within the post holders level of competency
General
Support the Leadership Team in the delivery of the strategic
medicines management plans.
Attend department staff meetings and participate in
scheduled training events.
Support Policy and Service Development
Implementation and contribute to the quality improvement of the service
contributing to audits, practice changes and reviews of the processes
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential
- Eligible to work towards registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the role of hospital pharmacy and the role of the hospital pharmacy technician. Understand the values of the NHS. Effective communication. Methodical with attention to detail. Analytical and judgmental skills required, for example, to interpret prescriptions / orders or deciding on the suitability of a product for an individual. Ability to plan and prioritise own workload to meet deadlines. Keyboard / computer skills.
Desirable
- Evidence of self-development
- Evidence of change management Awareness of Pharmacy IT Systems Experience of working in the Trust previously.
- Computer literacy qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a customer service role
Desirable
- Work experience in a hospital or community pharmacy, GP surgery or other healthcare experience with transferrable skills
Qualifications
Essential
- Equivalent of four GCSEs at Grade 4 and above, including mathematics, English language, science and another, or qualifications at the equivalent grade. School leavers will be considered with provisional grades in the above.
Desirable
- Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent GPhC approved qualification
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential
- Eligible to work towards registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the role of hospital pharmacy and the role of the hospital pharmacy technician. Understand the values of the NHS. Effective communication. Methodical with attention to detail. Analytical and judgmental skills required, for example, to interpret prescriptions / orders or deciding on the suitability of a product for an individual. Ability to plan and prioritise own workload to meet deadlines. Keyboard / computer skills.
Desirable
- Evidence of self-development
- Evidence of change management Awareness of Pharmacy IT Systems Experience of working in the Trust previously.
- Computer literacy qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a customer service role
Desirable
- Work experience in a hospital or community pharmacy, GP surgery or other healthcare experience with transferrable skills
Qualifications
Essential
- Equivalent of four GCSEs at Grade 4 and above, including mathematics, English language, science and another, or qualifications at the equivalent grade. School leavers will be considered with provisional grades in the above.
Desirable
- Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent GPhC approved qualification
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.
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
