Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to complete a fully funded two year apprenticeship course to gain the necessary skills to become a registered pharmacy technician.

The role of the Pharmacy Technician is evolving rapidly and now extends across all areas of pharmacy services. Pharmacy Technicians play a vital part in ensuring that departments deliver efficient, timely, and friendly services to both wards and patients.

You will be working with other Healthcare professionals to develop your skills in all aspects of pharmacy including dispensary, pharmacy distribution and stores and on the wards.

Please note that some weekend and late shifts will be expected as part of the role.

For more information on what the apprenticeship course entails watch the video below:
https://youtu.be/Hp31bG1y-P0?si=BO5peXXCevNFgiNP

Main duties of the job
To participate in "on-the-job" training whilst gaining experience in a variety of pharmacy services and undertaking an approved Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT) course resulting in registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), if successful.

Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians are supervised to help in the supply of medicines and devices and learn how to assist Pharmacists and registered Pharmacy Technicians with advisory and clinical services.

With appropriate training, PTPTs are expected to work individually and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and be able to work with minimum supervision with a high degree of autonomy, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of their work.

About us
across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities
This is a fixed term contract for a period of two years to undertake training and assessment for completion of the Pharmacy Technician Level 3 or Level 4 Apprenticeship within the two year contract depending on your qualifications.

Year Two will commence upon successful completion of work objectives and sufficient completion of set criteria for Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Training Programme or Level 4 Certificate of Higher Education in Pharmacy Technician Practice during Year One.

Formal training will be given, and Apprentices will be assigned to an appropriate training provider based on their prior experience and qualifications.

Successful completion of the training programme will result in registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a Pharmacy Technician.

This is a training post to acquire knowledge, a range of occupational skills and to develop a professional attitude in order to qualify as a registered Pharmacy Technician.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• 2 GCSEs, including Mathematics and English Language at grade C or above ( or equivalent qualification) New grading structure 4 or above

Desirable

• As essential criteria PLUS 2 science GCSEs at grade C or above ( or equivalent qualification) New grading structure 4 or above
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Experience
Essential

• Experience of customer care

Desirable

• Experience of pharmacy / working in pharmacy

Skills
Essential

• Good written communication skills on application form

Desirable

• Good IT 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.

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).

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Principal Technician - Education and Training
Karen Scott
Karen.Scott@bedsft.nhs.uk