Job summary
At West Suffolk, our patients are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to delivering the best quality and safest care to our local communities and need committed and skilled people to help us achieve this.
Are you a qualified Pharmacy Technician or Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician working towards qualification and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)?
Are you dynamic, pro-active and enthusiastic about providing exceptional care and experience for patients?
If the answer is yes, the Pharmacy Department is currently recruiting for a Rotational Pharmacy Technician to join our team and enhance the pool of exceptional staff we have working at West Suffolk Hospital.
Pre-registration pharmacy technicians working towards registration with the GPhC who prove successful during interview, will automatically be employed at band 4 once the necessary qualification and registration status is attained.
A six to twelve month progression plan will be implemented to allow necessary in-house competencies to be achieved. Successful completion alongside visible display of necessary behaviours in line with GPhC standards for pharmacy professionals will allow progression to band 5.
Qualified technicians that wish to apply, but do not fully meet person specification essential criteria, are still encouraged to do so. All candidates will be reviewed before and during the interview process to assess their level of knowledge and experience
Main duties of the job
Aspects of the role include:
Support dispensary services by checking stock and prescriptions, ordering medicines, dispensing, labelling, accuracy checking and counselling patients on their pharmaceutical needs.
Support ward-based activities by undertaking stock control, medication supply, medicines reconciliation, expediting medicines for patient discharge and utilising close liaison with ward pharmacists, medical and nursing teams.
Communication with patients to inform and coach them about their healthcare requirements.
Support improvements in patient safety, staff support and health and wellbeing.
Pre-registration pharmacy technicians working towards registration with the GPhC who prove successful during interview, will automatically be employed at band 4 once the necessary qualification and registration status is attained. A six to twelve month progression plan will be implemented to allow necessary in-house competencies to be achieved. Successful completion alongside visible display of necessary behaviours in line with GPhC standards for pharmacy professionals will allow progression to band 5.
Qualified technicians that wish to apply, but do not fully meet person specification essential criteria, are still encouraged to do so. All candidates will be reviewed before and during the interview process to assess their level of knowledge and experience.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
As qualified Pharmacy Technicians, you will have the opportunity to work in both ward-based and pharmacy dispensary services. Our in-house Aseptic Production facility may also form part of rotational responsibilities but will be confirmed upon appointment of successful candidates.
We are proud to promote ourselves as forward-thinking and utilise technology in services provided to help increase efficiencies and reduce errors. This includes automation through use of our dispensary robot and an electronic prescribing system to centralise patient information all in one place. Both systems help to improve patient safety which is at the core of Trust values.
At West Suffolk, we strive to help staff achieve their potential. This is a great opportunity to develop your pharmacy career and make a real difference to the lives of those who need our care
We welcome applicants who have not previously worked in a hospital setting and will provide training and support to those transferring from a different sector.
Please see the job description and person specification attached for further information on the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As qualified Pharmacy Technicians, you will have the opportunity to work in both ward-based and pharmacy dispensary services. Our in-house Aseptic Production facility may also form part of rotational responsibilities but will be confirmed upon appointment of successful candidates.
We are proud to promote ourselves as forward-thinking and utilise technology in services provided to help increase efficiencies and reduce errors. This includes automation through use of our dispensary robot and an electronic prescribing system to centralise patient information all in one place. Both systems help to improve patient safety which is at the core of Trust values.
At West Suffolk, we strive to help staff achieve their potential. This is a great opportunity to develop your pharmacy career and make a real difference to the lives of those who need our care
We welcome applicants who have not previously worked in a hospital setting and will provide training and support to those transferring from a different sector.
Please see the job description and person specification attached for further information on the role.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant Level 3 / 4 pharmacy technician qualification suitable for GPhC registration.
- Registered with the GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician.
- oBTEC Pharmaceutical Science NVQ Level 3 or equivalent Band 5 only
- oAccredited Checking (or nearing completion of accreditation) B5 Only
- oMedicines Reconciliation (or nearing completion of accreditation) B5 only
Desirable
- Accredited patient consultation skills.
- Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT).
- Medicines Management Service (POD & Supply) competent.
- Medicines Reconciliation competent.
- oA1/V1 Assessor Award.
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working in hospital, retail, or other pharmacy environment.
- Experience of dealing with members of the public.
- Knowledge of pharmacy-based computer systems.
- Supervision of staff, including pre-registration.
Desirable
- oSupervisory skills. B5 only
- oKnowledge of pharmacy-based computer systems. B5 only
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Communicate and interact with members of the public and other health care workers in a professional manner.
- Prioritise and manage workload.
- Manage time effectively.
- Demonstrate attention to detail.
- Make decisions and problem solve.
- Maintain composure, working in a methodical, organised manner in a busy environment.
- Work to deadlines and meet agreed objectives.
- Undertake manual handling activities, using appropriate lifting aids if necessary.
- oExperience of dealing with members of the public and other health care workers in a professional manner. Band 5 only
- oHave an all-round knowledge of the technical aspects of hospital pharmacy and a broad outlook of pharmaceutical issues. - B5
- oAble to work closely and in liaison with co-workers within the department.
- oAttention to detail.
Desirable
- Familiar with IT software e.g. MS Office.
- All-round knowledge of the technical aspects of hospital pharmacy.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Positive attitude to work.
- Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes positive team working ethic.
- Effective communications skills including verbal, written and digital.
- Shares information and good practice appropriately.
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties.
- Treat everyone with respect and dignity recognising differing perspective and opinion.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant Level 3 / 4 pharmacy technician qualification suitable for GPhC registration.
- Registered with the GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician.
- oBTEC Pharmaceutical Science NVQ Level 3 or equivalent Band 5 only
- oAccredited Checking (or nearing completion of accreditation) B5 Only
- oMedicines Reconciliation (or nearing completion of accreditation) B5 only
Desirable
- Accredited patient consultation skills.
- Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT).
- Medicines Management Service (POD & Supply) competent.
- Medicines Reconciliation competent.
- oA1/V1 Assessor Award.
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working in hospital, retail, or other pharmacy environment.
- Experience of dealing with members of the public.
- Knowledge of pharmacy-based computer systems.
- Supervision of staff, including pre-registration.
Desirable
- oSupervisory skills. B5 only
- oKnowledge of pharmacy-based computer systems. B5 only
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Communicate and interact with members of the public and other health care workers in a professional manner.
- Prioritise and manage workload.
- Manage time effectively.
- Demonstrate attention to detail.
- Make decisions and problem solve.
- Maintain composure, working in a methodical, organised manner in a busy environment.
- Work to deadlines and meet agreed objectives.
- Undertake manual handling activities, using appropriate lifting aids if necessary.
- oExperience of dealing with members of the public and other health care workers in a professional manner. Band 5 only
- oHave an all-round knowledge of the technical aspects of hospital pharmacy and a broad outlook of pharmaceutical issues. - B5
- oAble to work closely and in liaison with co-workers within the department.
- oAttention to detail.
Desirable
- Familiar with IT software e.g. MS Office.
- All-round knowledge of the technical aspects of hospital pharmacy.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Positive attitude to work.
- Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes positive team working ethic.
- Effective communications skills including verbal, written and digital.
- Shares information and good practice appropriately.
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties.
- Treat everyone with respect and dignity recognising differing perspective and opinion.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
