Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer - Apprenticeship - Entry Level

Mid Cheshire Hospitals - NHS Foundation; Crewe; Hybrid; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for an Apprenticeship Band 2 role as Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer at Leighton Hospital in Crewe. The post is fixed-term for 12 months (maternity cover) with both full-time and part-time options and flexible working arrangements.

You will assist in pharmacy operations, under supervision of registered pharmacists and technicians, focusing on stock control, dispensing support, and inventory management across sites.

Qualifications

• 4 CCSEs (Maths and English) or equivalent.
• NVQ / CQF Level 2 in Pharmacy Skills.
• Experience in a hospital pharmacy environment.

Responsibilities

• Topping up stock medicines for wards and clinical areas.
• Receiving medicines into the Trust with accurate documentation and storage.
• Handling the recycling process for medicines no longer required.
• Following guidance while working in a fast-paced environment.
• Travel between Leighton Hospital and Victoria Infirmary Northwich sites is required.

Skills

Follow instructions

Learn quickly

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Travel between sites

Education

4 CCSEs (Maths & English)

NVQ/CQF Level 2 in Pharmacy Skills

Job description

Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer - Apprenticeship - Entry Level

Band 2/Apprenticeship

Main area Pharmacy Grade Band 2/Apprenticeship Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity cover) Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working
• Compressed hours

40 hours per week (including late nights, bank holiday and weekend working requirements) Job ref 412-DCSS-8205533

Site Your principal place of employment is Leighton Hospital Town Crewe Salary Salary/Apprenticeship to be discussed at interview Closing 21/09/2026 23:59

Job overview

We're inviting bright, keen people looking for an interesting job and a new challenge to join us as an Assistant Pharmacy Technical Officer in our Pharmacy team.

In this role, you'll work in a hospital Pharmacy, under the supervision of registered Pharmacists and Technicians, mainly within the dispensary and stores areas, helping the team to keep track of our stock and support the dispensing of medicines to hospital inpatients and outpatients.

If you thrive in a role that offers variety, we definitely want to hear from you! Ideal candidates will be patient-focused, eager to learn, hardworking, and capable of handling pressure during busy periods.

We are committed to an inclusive pharmacy workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve, creating a compassionate and respectful environment where all staff feel valued and supported.

Your principal place of employment is Leighton Hospital, whilst your secondary place of employment with be Victoria Infirmary, Northwich (VIN) However, this may be changed from time to time at the Trust’s discretion to any location where the Trust provides services, or may in the future provide services, subject to operational requirements.

Main duties of the job

As an Assistant Technical Officer, your responsibilities are as follows:

• Topping up stock medicines for use in wards and clinical areas across the Trust using a predefined stock list.
• Receiving medicines into the Trust, ensuring accurate documentation and organisation, and appropriate storage and handling.
• Handling the recycling process for medicines no longer required by patients or ward areas.
• Following guidance and instructions carefully whilst working in a fast-paced environment.
• Working across both Leighton Hospital and Victoria Infirmary Northwich sites is required. Travel between the sites is required using own transport or public transport, with travel expenses reimbursed in line with the Trust Expenses Policy.

Dispensary Responsibilities:

• Dispensing medicines for both inpatients and outpatients against prescriptions.
• Ensuring you are careful and follow guidance and instructions carefully throughout.

In both settings, your role is vital. Your attention to detail, commitment to accuracy, and dedication to patient wellbeing will contribute significantly to the high standards of service we uphold in the Pharmacy Department. This position offers a well-rounded experience, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on the entire medication management process.

Working for our organisation

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.
Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership delivers extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area’s largest employers.
Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System.
As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we’re reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website .
At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The details of the main responsibilities are listed on the Job Description and on the person specification.

We are committed to fostering a culture of training and development, encouraging applications from those without an NVQ/QCF Level 2 in Pharmacy Services as well as those that already have achieved the qualification. Candidates who don't possess the NVQ/QCF Level 2 will be entered into the department through an Apprentice training position, with the expectation of progressing into ATO roles. If you are a successful candidate without the NVQ/QCF Level 2 Pharmacy Services, you will be supported to achieve this whilst working in the role.

Person specification

Qualifications

• 4 CCSEs (or equivalent) Grade C or above including Maths and English
• NVQ / CQF Level 2 in Pharmacy Skills

Experience

• Experience of working in a team
• Experienced in hospital pharmacy

Skills

• Ability to follow instructions carefully
• Ability to learn
• Ability to communicate with lots of different types of people
• Ability to work in a busy, fast paced environment
• Ability to demonstrate close attention to detail
• Ability to travel between sites of work as required

Key Messages

We are a forces-friendly employers.

Candidates should ensure that all submissions and interactions reflect the candidate’s own skills, experience, and understanding. Any use of AI that compromises the integrity, fairness, or authenticity of the recruitment process may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of offer, or dismissal if this these circumstances come to light post hire.

Candidates that require sponsorship to work in the UK are strongly advised to check the Government website for up-to-date information about whether the role they are applying for (incl. offered salary) is eligible.

Please let us know if you require an adjustment to our recruitment process and we'll be happy to discuss this with you.

We actively promote flexible working so please discuss any requirements you may have with us.

Secondments will be considered for fixed term positions when both parties agree. Candidates should seek approval from their current line manager before application.

• All correspondence will be sent via the email address you have registered as your TRAC account.Selection is based on the Trust's values, and the criteria outlined in the Job Description for the role.
• Appointments are subject to a 6-month probationary period. LED Doctors are subject to a 3-month probationary period.
• You are required to pay for a DBS disclosure where the post requires one, and we encourage applicants to join and remain registered with the DBS update service.
• We do not reimburse travel to interview expenses.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

We expect to receive a very high level of applications for this vacancy, and due to this a limit has been set on the number of applications we are able to receive. Once this limit is reached the vacancy will close. We would urge interested candidates who meet the specification to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Name Amy Williams Job title Chief Pharmacy Technician - Operational Support Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01270 612320 Additional information

Nick Bourne

Chief Pharmacy Technician - Procurement, Stores and Distribution

[e-mail]

01270612320