Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

NHS; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking an Apprentice Pharmacy Technician in Sheffield. This full-time role offers a structured training program to achieve a GPhC-recognized qualification over two years, involving rotations in Community Pharmacy and General Practice. Candidates need to have at least four GCSEs and a commitment to studying and developing a career in pharmacy. The position requires good communication skills and provides a chance to contribute to high professional standards in patient care.

Qualifications

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Enthusiastic and motivated with good communication skills.
• Self-motivated to complete the accredited course.

Responsibilities

• Complete training under supervision in Community Pharmacy and General Practice.
• Assist in dispensing, checking, and issuing medicines.
• Contribute to safe patient care and follow professional standards.

Skills

Attention to detail

Basic IT Skills

Good written and oral skills

Team working skills

Numeracy skills

Education

FOUR GCSE passes (Grade A*-C)

NVQ in Pharmacy Service Skill Level 2

Job description

Job summary

Under the support and guidance of Pharmacy and Practice staff, and through a structured rotational training programme with Community Pharmacy and General Practice the post holder will:

Develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to achieve a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) accredited course or approved qualification within the Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship pathway, to support registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Complete the required competencies in the workplace to achieve the accredited course / recognised qualification / apprenticeship and will complete the learning organised by the training provider using agreed weekly study day/session(s) and study in personal time.

Ensure knowledge, attitudes and behaviour follow the General Pharmaceutical Councils Standards for Pharmacy Professionals during the two‑year training programme in order that they can seek a declaration of competence from supervising pharmacy professional in all sectors, as required for registration.

Main duties of the job

To study for one day a week/equivalent to achieve the Pre‑Registration Pharmacy Technician training programme in the two‑year duration and complete the required accredited course/recognised qualification/apprenticeship.

To complete rotations in Community Pharmacy for a period of training delivered weekly or in a block (minimum of three months per year) dispensing, checking and issuing medicines, counselling patients on how to use their medicines, stock management, reconciliation of medicines and over‑the‑counter (OTC) sales for minor ailments, medicines review and enhanced services such as stop‑smoking services under the supervision of Pharmacy Staff.

To complete rotations in General Practice for a period of training as defined in the training plan delivered weekly or in a block responding to prescription requests, reviewing hospital discharge/clinical letters and reconciling medication against current medications, highlighting discrepancies under the supervision of the pharmacist or pharmacy technician, completing audits under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.

To gain knowledge of diseases, basic treatments and the actions and uses of drugs.

To answer basic pharmaceutical queries under supervision.

To learn about and contribute to the objectives for safe patient care in all workplaces.

To support team values to ensure the maintenance of the highest professional standards.

To always maintain confidentiality.

About us

You will gain extensive understanding of pharmacy whilst rotating between the GP practice and Community Pharmacy. You will be part of the multidisciplinary team, working at The Thorpe Practice. The Practice has a registered list size of 10,650. You will be required to work across two sites (Owlthorpe and Hackenthorpe). The practice sites within Townships 1 Primary Care Network (PCN) alongside Mosborough, Birley, Sothall and Crystal Peaks.

We need someone who is interested in developing a career in pharmacy, to become professionally registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

You will need to be enthusiastic, motivated, and hard working and have good communication and interpersonal skills.

You will be required to complete the qualification for the Apprentice Pharmacy Technician - BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians. You will be registered with a training provider who will provide online training.

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Apprenticeship Pay Scales Apply

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full‑time

Reference number

A1445‑25‑0002

Job locations

Owlthorpe Surgery

Moorthorpe Bank

Owlthorpe

Sheffield

S20 6PD

Community Pharmacy responsibilities

• To work under the supervision of the Supervising Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician at all times.
• To follow all workplace Standard Operating Procedures at all times.
• To learn about Medicines Optimisation and how Pharmacy Technicians contribute to Community Pharmacy services. This will involve a patient‑facing role.
• To assist the Pharmacist in retrieving electronic prescriptions (EPS) as per SOPs.
• To receive prescriptions and ensure they are legal and valid and advise patients on completing the declaration.
• To use the Pharmacy computer system to record Patient Medication Records and create labels.
• To dispense prescriptions including FP10s & Private Prescriptions and monitored dosage systems (MDS) and confirm accuracy as per community / dispensing pharmacy SOPs.
• To issue prescriptions and counsel patients on how to use their medicines.
• To dispose of returned and unwanted medication as per SOPs.
• To record controlled drugs in the CD register and conduct controlled drug balance checks as per SOPs.
• To order, receive, store and maintain stock as per SOPs.
• To support the community pharmacist with medicines reconciliation in accordance with protocols, highlighting discrepancies to ensure patients’ medication records are up to date and liaising with general practice to ensure the correct medicines are continued following transfer of care.
• To complete OTC sales and recommendations for common minor ailments under the supervision of a Pharmacist / trained Pharmacy staff.
• To support the Pharmacist to complete Medication Use Reviews (MURs), New Medicines Service (NMS) and Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS), Pharmacy First.
• To support the Pharmacist to complete commissioned enhanced services e.g. stop smoking services and blood pressures under the supervision of Pharmacy Staff.
• To liaise with General Practice regarding prescription issues.

General Practice responsibilities

• To work under the supervision of the Pharmacy professional at all times and liaison with other practice staff.
• To follow all workplace Standard Operating Procedures at all times.
• To learn about Medicines Optimisation and how Pharmacy Technicians contribute to General Practice. This will involve working in General Practice in a patient‑facing role and with telephone contact.
• To use the surgery computer system to record information & consultations, run searches and send tasks to other healthcare professionals.
• To respond to prescription requests from community patients, nursing/care home staff, pharmacy staff and GPs, processing them with 48 hours for routine prescriptions and same day for urgent prescriptions. This can include re‑routing prescriptions to out of hours pharmacies for same day delivery.
• To learn about and be involved with the use of practice templates to record patient monitoring for high‑risk drugs.
• To learn about and be involved in monitoring blood tests, blood pressures, weight loss management, recalls and reviews using established protocols and involvement of the appropriate clinician.
• To review hospital discharge notifications/clinical letters and reconcile medication against current medications, highlighting discrepancies to the pharmacist/designated GP under supervision.
• To help support practice prescribing budgets by on‑going monitoring, audit and analysis of drug use and support practices in reviewing, developing and enhancing cost‑effective prescribing. This includes staying aware of latest prescribing improvement targets.
• To assist pharmacists / clinical staff help with annual medication reviews e.g. Asthma assisting with information to ensure prescribing of most cost‑effective formulary product and observing patients have good inhaler technique under supervision.
• To conduct regular audits on medicines storage ensuring local and national guidelines are adhered to and issues are reported to the appropriate manager.
• To ensure medicines in the surgery are checked and out‑of‑date stock is identified and disposed of in an appropriate and timely manner and disposed of according to SOPs.
• To utilise resources to promote the reduction of medicines waste.
• To conduct face‑to‑face & telephone interventions (as outlined by the pharmacist) with patients and ensure consultations are recorded and reported to the pharmacist or designated GP.
• To complete prescribing audits to monitor and analyse individual practice/primary care network prescribing performance and trends against local and national targets, presenting information and data and identifying priority areas for action.
• To support prescribing clerks by helping with queries relating to prescription requests.
• To look for ways to improve efficiency and safety of the prescription ordering process, ensuring queries are resolved and scripts issued in line with timeframe in the practice procedure working with the practice pharmacist.
• To support the pharmacist in implementing drug withdrawals and alerts e.g. MHRA alerts and medicine shortages.
• To inspire the patient population with seasonal health information campaigns, creating displays throughout the year e.g. Stop Smoking, Antibiotic Awareness, annual Flu campaign.
• To promote digital solutions including Patient Access, NHS App, Electronic Repeat Dispensing to patients and practice staff as required by Practice Manager.

Research & Audit

• To assist Pharmacy Technicians & General Practice Pharmacists in the completion of audits as required.

Training & Development

• To complete a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)-accredited course, GPhC-recognised qualification or a GPhC approved apprenticeship pathway. This will support eligibility to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacy Technician.
• To study using online resources one day each week (or equivalent).
• To commit to study at home where necessary.
• To complete mandatory training and other statutory training at all workplaces.
• To complete local competency‑based assessments where necessary.
• To ensure that you meet the minimum number of hours work‑based experience, as stated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, to enable you to register as a qualified Pharmacy Technician.

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

• You will require FOUR GCSE (or equivalent) passes (Grade A*‑C / Level 9‑4) in the following subjects:
• Mathematics
• English Language
• Science
• One other

Desirable

• NVQ In Pharmacy Service Skill Level 2

Experience Essential

• Ability to work with attention to detail and accuracy
• Basic IT Skills
• Ability to work to deadlines in a high‑pressure environment
• Ability to work to complete college/training provider deadlines
• Good written and oral skills
• Good team working skills
• Good numeracy skills
• Professional attitude, conscientious with the ability to empathise
• Self‑motivate with commitment to the training
• Ability to complete the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) accredited course/recognised qualification or apprenticeship pathway with Training Provider.

Desirable

• Previous experience in a dispensary in community or hospital or have experience of working in general practice.
• Customer service skills

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.

Employer details

The Thorpe Practice

Owlthorpe Surgery

Moorthorpe Bank

Owlthorpe

Sheffield

S20 6PD

Website: https://www.owlthorpesurgery.nhs.uk/