Pharmacy Technician (With Ward Duties)

Countess Of Chester Hospital Nhs Foundation Trust; Chester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking registered Pharmacy Technicians to join our expanding Pharmacy Team. Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, with opportunities to develop skills through BTEC Level 4 ACT qualifications and work on wards for inpatients.

We value accuracy, reliability and initiative, with duties including dispensing, maintaining records and supporting clinical trials under supervision of senior staff, ensuring safe and effective patient service.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services with underpinning knowledge (BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent).
• Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC.
• CPD portfolio inline with GPC requirements.
• Minimum of 2 years experience in Pharmacy.
• Desirable knowledge of hospital pharmacy practices.

Responsibilities

• To carry out accurately and efficiently the dispensing of prescriptions, including unlicensed and named-patient medication, oral cytotoxic medication, controlled drugs and Patient's own medication in accordance 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.

Skills

Thorough understanding of policies and

Good communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services

BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent

Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC

CPD portfolio inline with GPC requirements

Minimum 2 years experience in Pharmacy

Job description

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.
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.
Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

Applicants who are due to register in September are eligible to apply

• 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 Trust's services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery

Job responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Good luck with your application.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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).