Job summary
CDDFT Pharmacy pride ourselves in working at the leading edge of clinical pharmacy practice and medicines management with our teams achieving national recognition for innovative, high-quality patient care.

We have an opportunity for 2 pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians to undertake training to develop the skills and knowledge to become a registered Pharmacy Technician at the University Hospital of North Durham.

Training will commence February 2027 with on-the-job training across pharmaceutical standards, under the supervision/professional direction of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. Teaching is delivered by Bradford College towards completion of the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice.

You will hold the equivalent of four GCSEs at Grade 4 and above, including mathematics, English language, science and another, or qualifications at the equivalent grade. We welcome applications from school leavers with the above provisional grades.

These are full time posts with training within the training timeframe. On qualification and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council you will be eligible to apply for any vacant pharmacy technician posts.

Main duties of the job
The successful post holders will be based either at the University Hospital of North Durham or Darlington memorial Hospitals but will be expected to cover roles at the other sites as detailed in the training schedule. They will also participate in the provision of our 7 days service.

Contribute to the provision of a range of pharmaceutical services including: Dispensary, Medicines Management, Purchasing, Distribution, Ward top up service, Medicines Safety and Medicines Optimisation.

Ensure all pharmacy duties are carried out in accordance with legal, ethical and professional guidelines and following departmental and Trust procedures to meet the needs of our patients.

Undertake and complete the Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) Apprenticeship and Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.

Undertake and complete the integrated Accuracy Checking Technician element of the training to accurately check dispensed medicines against a prescription.

Train and work in the designated areas as set out in the Training & Development Schedule and complete the competencies required for each standard towards successful completion of the qualification.

About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide a basic clinical technical service by a range of pharmacy services to patients following departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs) and local/national policies /procedures.

Work carried out will be under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in the following areas:

Dispensary Services
Receive a range of prescriptions including processing or providing advice on prescription charges or exemptions and booking in work received.

Accurately dispense prescriptions and orders including validation and interpretation of the order/prescription, selection of the correct product, labelling of the product, ensuring that all documentation is completed according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Carrying out a self-check to ensure accuracy of own work before a final accuracy check is undertaken.

Ensuring work is processed according to department SOPs

Procurement and Distribution
Assist in the procurement of pharmaceutical stock to gain an awareness of contracting, procurement and invoicing.

Participate in the management of drug recalls and medication alerts

Participate in a "ward top-up system" on allocated wards, ensuring stock levels and correct storage of pharmaceuticals is maintained by ordering, assembling and issuing stock for the ward from the pharmacy.

Participate in the maintenance of efficient stock control including carrying out storage and expiry checks as required, both in the pharmacy department and ward level

Reduce wastage by sorting pharmaceuticals returned from wards according to pharmacy SOPs

Medicines Management and Medicines Optimisation
Work with the pharmacy ward based team to gain an insight into the role of the ward-based technician to ensure a safe, effective and efficient service.

Under the supervision of a senior member of the ward pharmacy team, competently order medicines for the patient at ward level, assist in the completion of medicines reconciliation/drug history taking, assess the suitability, quality and identification of Patient Own Drugs to reduce unnecessary dispensing and counsel specific patients on their medication to ensure that the patient understands how to take/use them effectively. The counselling of patients will be undertaken within the post holders level of competency

General
Support the Leadership Team in the delivery of the strategic medicines management plans.

Attend department staff meetings and participate in scheduled training events.

Support Policy and Service Development Implementation and contribute to the quality improvement of the service contributing to audits, practice changes and reviews of the processes

Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential

• Eligible to work towards registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC

Qualifications
Essential

• Equivalent of four GCSEs at Grade 4 and above, including mathematics, English language, science and another, or qualifications at the equivalent grade. School leavers will be considered with provisional grades in the above

Desirable

• Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent GPhC approved qualification

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of the role of hospital pharmacy and the role of the hospital pharmacy technician.
• Understand the values of the NHS.
• Effective communication.
• Methodical with attention to detail.
• Analytical and judgmental skills required, for example, to interpret prescriptions / orders or deciding on the suitability of a product for an individual.
• Ability to plan and prioritise own workload to meet deadlines.
• Keyboard / computer skills.

Desirable

• Evidence of self-development Evidence of change management Awareness of Pharmacy IT Systems Experience of working in the Trust previously.
• Computer literacy qualification

Experience
Essential

• Experience in a customer service role.

Desirable

• Work experience in a hospital or community pharmacy, GP surgery or other healthcare experience with transferrable 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.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.