Job summary
Are you looking for a new challenge! Earn and work towards a professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council!
The recruitment team at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) are delighted to be able to offer a fantastic opportunity to become one of our Pre-registration Pharmacy Technician Apprentices. You will undertake a 2 year distance learning training programme with the University of East Anglia under the supervision and support of our established and dedicated pharmacy training team. One day a week is dedicated towards the study component of the course where you can study from home completing your interactive training modules. The university also deliver face to face/online teaching sessions, approximately one per month and informative online forums.
This is a practical course alongside a L4 academic qualification based mainly at Southampton General Hospital with some time at the Royal South Hants Hospital pharmacy, working 37.5hours per week Monday to Friday with a one in six weekend commitment and Bank Holiday commitment, one per year. One of the available posts will also include cross sector working with Primary Care based at the Waterside Practices at Hythe and Dibden.
Main duties of the job
Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.
For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the 'Job Description and Main Responsibilities' section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.
About us
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main outline of rotations will include.
- Dispensary based training at Southampton General Hospital and The Royal South Hants Hospital where you will be trained through competency-based learning to dispense accurately in the first year moving on to final accuracy checking of medications in the second year.
- Receiving prescriptions and issuing medications to patients with advice at the RSH hospital.
- Pharmacy Stores experience receiving and distributing of medications out to the Trust and other hospitals.
- Experience of Audit, Pharmacy Risk, Electronic Prescribing and Clinical Trials will also be offered.
- Ward based learning where you will spend time with patients discussing their medications they have brought into hospital and offering advice under supervision.
- Observational experience in an area of our large aseptic units learning how to produce Intravenous antibiotics, Total Parental Nutrition or Cytotoxic IV/Infusions.
- Clean driving license is required for cross site/sector placements
- 37.5hours a week with one in six weekend commitment either Saturday or Sunday and one Bank Holiday per year which may include Christmas Day
- You will need a minimum of 5 GCSEs grade C/4 or higher and they must include Maths, English Language and a Science or equivalent overseas qualification. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) rules state A non-UK national is eligible for funding if they have permission from the UK government to live in the UK (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily a resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of the apprenticeship.
- If short-listed proof of qualifications will need to be provided before the interview date.
Apprenticeship Criteria
These roles are funded by the Government Apprenticeship Scheme and do not attract visa sponsorship.
- You may be eligible if you have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous 3 years.
- You must also have permission from the UK government to live in the UK (not for educational purposes) or have obtained pre-settled or settled status under EU Settlement Scheme.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main outline of rotations will include.
- Dispensary based training at Southampton General Hospital and The Royal South Hants Hospital where you will be trained through competency-based learning to dispense accurately in the first year moving on to final accuracy checking of medications in the second year.
- Receiving prescriptions and issuing medications to patients with advice at the RSH hospital.
- Pharmacy Stores experience receiving and distributing of medications out to the Trust and other hospitals.
- Experience of Audit, Pharmacy Risk, Electronic Prescribing and Clinical Trials will also be offered.
- Ward based learning where you will spend time with patients discussing their medications they have brought into hospital and offering advice under supervision.
- Observational experience in an area of our large aseptic units learning how to produce Intravenous antibiotics, Total Parental Nutrition or Cytotoxic IV/Infusions.
- Clean driving license is required for cross site/sector placements
- 37.5hours a week with one in six weekend commitment either Saturday or Sunday and one Bank Holiday per year which may include Christmas Day
- You will need a minimum of 5 GCSEs grade C/4 or higher and they must include Maths, English Language and a Science or equivalent overseas qualification. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) rules state A non-UK national is eligible for funding if they have permission from the UK government to live in the UK (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily a resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of the apprenticeship.
- If short-listed proof of qualifications will need to be provided before the interview date.
Apprenticeship Criteria
These roles are funded by the Government Apprenticeship Scheme and do not attract visa sponsorship.
- You may be eligible if you have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous 3 years.
- You must also have permission from the UK government to live in the UK (not for educational purposes) or have obtained pre-settled or settled status under EU Settlement Scheme.
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications / training required
Essential
- 5 GCSE's grade C or above (4-9), or equivalent*, to and must include English language, Maths, Science +2 others. *If not UK qualifications then individual must prove equivalence at application (at own expense). To be eligible for the apprenticeship you must hold an English qualification from UK, Functional skills L2 is acceptable.
- Apprenticeship entry requirements must be met which means that higher or overseas pharmacy qualifications will mean ineligibility following current government guidance. This can also include degrees or A levels where there is significant overlap with the Pharmacy L4 apprenticeship, this is decided by the provider.
Desirable
- Level 2 NVQ certificate in Pharmacy service skills or other GPhC approved qualification.
- ECDL or equivalent IM&T qualification or experience.
Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential
- Use of information technology (Microsoft Word/use of online systems) in the workplace or within education or the voluntary sector.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of Health and Safety and Risk Management.
- Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team.
- Experience of working/dealing with the public including part time or voluntary work.
Desirable
- Work experience, either in hospital pharmacy and/or community pharmacy in the United Kingdom
- Experience of stock management.
- Experience of working in a customer orientated service or healthcare setting.
- Experience of recent study including portfolio construction.
Aptitudes and skills required
Essential
- Able to demonstrate accurate numeracy skills, including: simple calculations, addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, percentages, decimals, fractions, ratios.
- Understands weights and measures.
- Evidence of practical skills and ability to follow procedures accurately.
- Demonstrate ability to prioritise and organise own work to meet study deadlines in order to meet requirements of an apprenticeship.
- Able to undertake and complete all in-house competencies and accuracy standards in each rotation as required to complete the apprenticeship and meet UHS standards.
- Ability to achieve and maintain high levels of competency and accuracy and sustain concentration in a busy environment. Evidence of attention to detail.
- Understands patient confidentiality and its application in the health care setting.
- Demonstrated initiative and is proactive.
- Demonstrate professional and responsible behaviour - able to understand its impact in the healthcare setting
- Ability to take responsibility for own development and know limitations.
- Organised and methodical.
Desirable
- Evidence of portfolio of self-development.
- Able to prioritise work appropriately.
- Able to show evidence of knowledge of the role of Pharmacy Technicians.
- Evidence of effective customer service skills.
- Keen to learn and evidence of recent achievements.
- Able to give effective answers to problems solving.
- Demonstrate times when able to work effectively under pressure.
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications / training required
Essential
- 5 GCSE's grade C or above (4-9), or equivalent*, to and must include English language, Maths, Science +2 others. *If not UK qualifications then individual must prove equivalence at application (at own expense). To be eligible for the apprenticeship you must hold an English qualification from UK, Functional skills L2 is acceptable.
- Apprenticeship entry requirements must be met which means that higher or overseas pharmacy qualifications will mean ineligibility following current government guidance. This can also include degrees or A levels where there is significant overlap with the Pharmacy L4 apprenticeship, this is decided by the provider.
Desirable
- Level 2 NVQ certificate in Pharmacy service skills or other GPhC approved qualification.
- ECDL or equivalent IM&T qualification or experience.
Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential
- Use of information technology (Microsoft Word/use of online systems) in the workplace or within education or the voluntary sector.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of Health and Safety and Risk Management.
- Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team.
- Experience of working/dealing with the public including part time or voluntary work.
Desirable
- Work experience, either in hospital pharmacy and/or community pharmacy in the United Kingdom
- Experience of stock management.
- Experience of working in a customer orientated service or healthcare setting.
- Experience of recent study including portfolio construction.
Aptitudes and skills required
Essential
- Able to demonstrate accurate numeracy skills, including: simple calculations, addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, percentages, decimals, fractions, ratios.
- Understands weights and measures.
- Evidence of practical skills and ability to follow procedures accurately.
- Demonstrate ability to prioritise and organise own work to meet study deadlines in order to meet requirements of an apprenticeship.
- Able to undertake and complete all in-house competencies and accuracy standards in each rotation as required to complete the apprenticeship and meet UHS standards.
- Ability to achieve and maintain high levels of competency and accuracy and sustain concentration in a busy environment. Evidence of attention to detail.
- Understands patient confidentiality and its application in the health care setting.
- Demonstrated initiative and is proactive.
- Demonstrate professional and responsible behaviour - able to understand its impact in the healthcare setting
- Ability to take responsibility for own development and know limitations.
- Organised and methodical.
Desirable
- Evidence of portfolio of self-development.
- Able to prioritise work appropriately.
- Able to show evidence of knowledge of the role of Pharmacy Technicians.
- Evidence of effective customer service skills.
- Keen to learn and evidence of recent achievements.
- Able to give effective answers to problems solving.
- Demonstrate times when able to work effectively under pressure.
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
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).
