Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Technician (with ward duties)

The closing date is 20 August 2025

Job summary

Working Full time: 37.5 hours per week

We are looking to recruit enthusiastic, hardworking registered Technicians to join our expanding Pharmacy Team. We are looking for Technicians who are motivated and keen to develop their skills as part of an integrated team. Our qualified staff are expected to have a positive work ethic, be flexible and reliable.

Hospital experience is desirable but not essential, as full training will be provided.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to further their skills by completing a BTEC level 4 ACT Qualification. As part of our integrated team, there will be opportunities to work on wards within the main hospital performing top ups and ordering medications for inpatients.

High levels of accuracy are essential as well as the ability to work well under pressure. We are looking for individuals who are confident, have excellent communication and organisation skills and who can use their own initiative to provide a safe and effective service to our patients.

Dispensary based duties will include preparation, dispensing, and supply of medications to a variety of patients. You will be expected to have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to counsel patients effectively. We expect our Technicians to co-operate with all Pharmacy Staff in providing and developing an efficient and comprehensive Pharmaceutical Service under the direction of Senior Pharmacy Management for all patients treated by The Countess of Chester Foundation Trust.

Main duties of the job

  • To carry out accurately and efficiently the dispensing of prescriptions, including unlicensed and namedpatient medication, oral cytotoxic medication, controlled drugs and Patient's own medication inaccordance with the agreed safe systems of work practice and current medicines legislation
  • To input and maintain accurate computer and register records for controlled drugs, unlicensed drugs and named-patient medication according to departmental procedures
  • To dispense clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, ICH GCP guidelines and European Directive and under the supervision of the clinical trials technician/pharmacist
  • Calculate formulae for all extemporaneously prepared medicines using manual methods in accordance with safe dispensing practice and standard operating procedures

About us

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:

  • The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds
  • Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility
  • Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Trust employs over 5916 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000. This includes 361,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.

Details

Date posted

05 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

210-2025-555

Job locations

Countess of Chester Hospital

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH2 1UL


Job description

Job responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services with appropriate underpinning knowledge (BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent)
  • Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC
  • CPD portfolio inline with GPC requirements

Desirable

  • Thorough understanding of policies and procedures

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 2 years experience in Pharmacy

Desirable

  • Good understanding of hospital pharmacy & experience
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services with appropriate underpinning knowledge (BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent)
  • Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC
  • CPD portfolio inline with GPC requirements

Desirable

  • Thorough understanding of policies and procedures

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 2 years experience in Pharmacy

Desirable

  • Good understanding of hospital pharmacy & experience

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Countess of Chester Hospital

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH2 1UL


Employer's website

https://www.coch.nhs.uk/working-with-us.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Countess of Chester Hospital

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH2 1UL


Employer's website

https://www.coch.nhs.uk/working-with-us.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Chief Pharmacy Technician - Patient Services

Emma Williams

Emma.williams158@nhs.net

01244365251

Details

Date posted

05 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

210-2025-555

Job locations

Countess of Chester Hospital

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH2 1UL


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)