Level 2 Apprenticeship in Pharmacy Services

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting for a 15-month Pharmacy Level 2 apprenticeship at Churchill Hospital in Oxford. The role trains you to become a Pharmacy Assistant, under supervision of a Pharmacist, with in-house training and a Level 2 BTEC in The Principles and Practices for Pharmacy Support Staff.

You will work 37.5 hours per week, gain practical experience across the pharmacy team, and undertake functional skills if required.

Qualifications

• 4 GCSEs of 3 or above.
• Good command of English and numeracy.
• Willing to develop professionally.

Responsibilities

• Complete all work set by your assessor.
• Undertake basic dispensary duties which may include the following duties as directed.
• Unpack pharmacy medicine deliveries, check the delivery and place for loading into the robot.
• Put away medicines into their correct locations and maintain clean and tidy storage areas.
• Expiry date check medicines and rotate stocks to ensure in-date usage and avoid waste.
• Provide support to the pharmacy reception including processing payments and prescriptions.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Team player

Patient communication

Education

GCSEs

Job description

Main area Pharmacy Grade Apprenticeship Contract Fixed term: 15 months (15 months apprenticeship) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 321-CSS-8244963-PA

Site Churchill Hospital Town Oxford Salary £15,600 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 27/09/2026 23:59

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call thisDelivering Compassionate Excellenceand its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

Many of our recruitment programmes useValue Based Interviewingto identify those who have the skills we seek, who share our values and who are able to deliver compassionate excellence from the outset. We know that this makes a significant difference to your job satisfaction and above all the outcomes and experience of our patients and their families. For more information about our Values and Value Based Interviewing please visitwww.ouh.nhs.uk/about/vision-and-values

Job overview

My name is Jane Yarnell, my role as the Lead Practitioner Development Technician for the OUHFT Pharmacy Department means that I am privileged to lead the training for our fantastic team of Pharmacy Level 2 apprentices, enabling them to gain the skills necessary to become a Pharmacy Assistant within one of our departments across the trust. Pharmacy Assistants are essential members of the pharmacy team working under the supervision of a Pharmacist and alongside Pharmacy Technicians to provide pharmaceutical care for the patient. The duties are varied, and it is not simply a matter of counting tablets. I am currently looking for a level 2 Pharmacy apprentice to join the Churchill Hospital Pharmacy department.

During your 15-month contract, full practical in-house training will be provided, you will undertake a level 2 Specialist Btec in The Principles and Practices for Pharmacy Support Staff, this will provide you with the skills to work as a Pharmacy Assistant, alongside the knowledge you will need to support your pharmacy career. You must be a team player, keen to further your education, and have a good attention to detail as well as the ability to work accurately in a busy environment and be able to communicate clearly with patients and staff.

It is desirable that you have 4 GCSEs of 3 or above, but we can help with functional skills.

Some posts will be subject to criminal records bureau checks.

Equality of opportunity is assured, and we are committed to improving your working life.

Our no smoking policy advances a healthier environment.

Working for our organisation

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call thisDelivering Compassionate Excellenceand its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via theOUH YouTube channel.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to carry out the following duties:

• To complete all work set by your assessor.
• To efficiently undertake basic dispensary duties which may include the following duties as directed.
• To unpack pharmacy medicine deliveries, check the delivery and place for loading into the robot.
• To put away medicines into their correct locations and maintain clean and tidy storage areas.
• To expiry date check medicines and rotate the stocks to ensure medicines are used in date order and avoid waste.
• To provide support to the pharmacy reception including processing payments, filing prescription paperwork and taking in prescriptions from patients.
• To be trained to competently dispense and label medicines for inpatient use in accordance with the dispensary procedures.
• To be trained to use the pharmacy computer system to obtain information and print labels.
• To answer/deal with queries, both face to face and via the telephone, take messages and pass them on to the relevant member of staff in an appropriate and timely manner.
• To maintain filing systems in line with organisations policies and procedures.
• To assist with the ordering and maintenance of medicine supplies.
• To be a flexible and supportive member of the team.
• To maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
• Attend and take part in team meetings & regular reviews with line manager etc.
• To prepare for and attend assessment meetings and participate in relevant training.
• Throughout the training period the post holder will be expected to complete all training as required including functional skills if required, trust statutory and mandatory training as well as any study sessions provided by the Education & Training team.
• To adhere to the local and national Health and Safety regulations and the organisations Policies and Procedures.
• To sign a learning contract with the training provider and adhere to the agreement.
• To be responsible for the use of physical equipment and to report any defects in equipment as appropriate.

General

• This job description is not meant to be exhaustive and can be altered in consultation with the post holder.
• The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. The post holder is at all times expected to carry out their duties in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
• You are requested to take reasonable care for the Health and Safety of yourself and other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work and to ensure that statutory and departmental safety procedures are adhered to.

Any other duties, which may be requested by the Manager in order to facilitate the smooth running of the Department

Person specification

Qualifications

• Good command of the English language and numerate
• 4 GCSEs D grade or above.
• Good attention to detail
• Organised in your approach to work
• Good interpersonal skills
• Keen to develop professionally and personally
• Able to work with supervision
• Understanding the requirement of confidentiality
• An ability to ask for help and guidance if required
• Understanding of Pharmacy role.
• Able to communicate effectively at all levels
• Able to motivate oneself
• Ability to act on own initiative when required
• An ability to recognise limitations of the role and not to work outside of these limitations
• An ability to cope effectively under pressure

Circumstances

• Flexible approach to work load and department needs

Sexual Safety Charter : In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit totheten core principles

Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Vacancy Closures: Please note, this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received.

Visa and Immigration: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is able to offer Certificates of Sponsorship for all eligible roles for a Skilled Worker Visa without exception, provided the role meets the minimum salary and skill level criteria set by the Home Office (UKVI). All eligible candidates will be considered with equal consideration at all stages of the application and recruitment process.Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers /Work in the UK - GOV.UK

COVID-19: The COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at Oxfordshire County Council Website where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination.

Probation Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with the Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply. This statement does not apply to Medical staff or Executive Appointments.

Referencing: When providing employment reference details please provide correct work related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your first referee will need to be your line manager, supervisor or clinical lead from your current or most recent post or place of study. Please note that if you have previously worked for the Trust we will require a reference from your last Manager, this information is essential if your offer of employment is to be confirmed.

To note: Applicants must write their own applications. If AI tools are used, the application may be rejected as this document is crucial for assessment. This does not prevent you from seeking support via AI with applications for the purposes of any disability and/or long-term health conditions.

When using AI to help write your application, it is important to personalise it, especially your supporting statement. While AI can simplify the process, it will not fully understand the job's requirements and/or be able to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experience. Write your statement to show why you are interested in the role and how you would be a valued member of the team/OUH employee.

No unsolicited recruitment agency telephone calls or emails.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

Please note that this job advertisement will close automatically once the application limit is reached, regardless of whether this occurs before the advertised closing date.

Vacancies with our PFI partners

Domestic / catering / portering services at theJohn Radcliffe Hospitalare provided byMitie.

Domestic / catering / portering / maintenance engineerservices at theChurchill HospitalandNuffield Orthopaedic Centreare provided byG4S.

Maintenance engineer services at the John Radcliffe Hospital are provided by Equans.

All meetings and interviews will be scheduled on Microsoft Teams from a verified OUH email account.

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