Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician, Brighton and Hove

Job summary

Are you interested in earning a wage whilst training to achieve a nationally recognised qualification to become a Pharmacy Technician?

An exciting opportunity for Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician(s) (PTPTs) to join the pharmacy department at University Hospitals Sussex Trust based at either Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Candidatesmusthave a minimum number of 4 GCSEs or equivalent. Theymustbe GCSE Grade C/4 or above and must include Mathematics, English Language, ONE Science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics) and one other GCSE. Certificates will need to be provided at the interview stage in order to be verified, including ENIC comparability statements.

Candidatesmustalso meet the eligibility criteria for UK Apprenticeships to meet enrolment requirements.

Incomplete information may prevent the application moving on to interview stage.

Find out more about the role of the Pharmacy Technician here:

duties of the job

Full educational support is provided, but you will need to be able to quickly learn new IT systems and embrace new technology to provide safe and effective care to patients in a variety of environments.
You will need to be highly committed to achieve the qualification as it requires participation and completion of a vigorous training and competency program. You will need to demonstrate excellent work/life/study balance skills and be very self-motivated.

Regular personal study time outside of working hours will be required.

About us

Working for our organisation

AtUHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer abuddyto help new members settle in.We'reproud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas&Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.

Fixed term is planned to run from September 2026 to September 2028

Four days each week will be based at the chosen hospital site (Brighton or Haywards Heath) with planned rotations between the 2 sites over the 2 year training period gaining vocational experience and completing competencies required to complete the Level 3 diploma. One day per week will be within a virtual classroom to learn the knowledge required to underpin the diploma. Your training will involve working with an educational supervisor to develop a work-based portfolio, undertaking work-based assessments and completing all assignments/projects.

Trainees who successfully complete the training programme, complete an e-portfolio and the end point assessment (EPA) will be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council and practice as a registered Pharmacy Technician.

The successful candidate(s) will be expected to contribute to service delivery on a flexible working basis which will include weekends, late duties and bank holidays.

Main Responsibilities

To undertake dispensing of prescriptions for inpatient, outpatient and discharge medication. To dispense ward stock controlled drugs (CDs) in accordance with legal and departmental procedures.

To participate in pharmacy reception duties; includes responding to telephone calls and visitors promptly, inputting all prescription types onto the electronic tracking system.

To process and assemble orders of stock items for wards, departments, and other hospitals.

To check inpatient prescriptions and identify all inpatient medication that is required to be dispensed. To order medications using the EPMA system. To refer any medication changes to the ward pharmacy technician and/or ward pharmacist

To provide daily ward visits and determine the suitability of Patient Own Drugs (PODs) against agreed criteria for re-use and refer (if necessary) to the pharmacy clinical team

To identify whether the patient has sufficient PODs on the ward and determine whether an additional supply is needed and discuss with the clinical team as necessary. When transcribing for a medicine supply attention to detail is imperative and all work would be appropriately supervised and witnessed.

To provide a final accuracy check on prescribed items against a valid prescription. If any dispensing errors identified provide appropriate feedback to the dispenser so the item can be corrected. Or referral to the pharmacist if the query is relating to a medicine or a prescription.

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Job description
Job responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas&Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.

Fixed term is planned to run from September 2026 to September 2028

Four days each week will be based at the chosen hospital site (Brighton or Haywards Heath) with planned rotations between the 2 sites over the 2 year training period gaining vocational experience and completing competencies required to complete the Level 3 diploma. One day per week will be within a virtual classroom to learn the knowledge required to underpin the diploma. Your training will involve working with an educational supervisor to develop a work-based portfolio, undertaking work-based assessments and completing all assignments/projects.

Trainees who successfully complete the training programme, complete an e-portfolio and the end point assessment (EPA) will be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council and practice as a registered Pharmacy Technician.

The successful candidate(s) will be expected to contribute to service delivery on a flexible working basis which will include weekends, late duties and bank holidays.

Main Responsibilities

To undertake dispensing of prescriptions for inpatient, outpatient and discharge medication. To dispense ward stock controlled drugs (CDs) in accordance with legal and departmental procedures.

To participate in pharmacy reception duties; includes responding to telephone calls and visitors promptly, inputting all prescription types onto the electronic tracking system.

To process and assemble orders of stock items for wards, departments, and other hospitals.

To check inpatient prescriptions and identify all inpatient medication that is required to be dispensed. To order medications using the EPMA system. To refer any medication changes to the ward pharmacy technician and/or ward pharmacist

To provide daily ward visits and determine the suitability of Patient Own Drugs (PODs) against agreed criteria for re-use and refer (if necessary) to the pharmacy clinical team

To identify whether the patient has sufficient PODs on the ward and determine whether an additional supply is needed and discuss with the clinical team as necessary. When transcribing for a medicine supply attention to detail is imperative and all work would be appropriately supervised and witnessed.

To provide a final accuracy check on prescribed items against a valid prescription. If any dispensing errors identified provide appropriate feedback to the dispenser so the item can be corrected. Or referral to the pharmacist if the query is relating to a medicine or a prescription.

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Person Specification

Qualification and Training

Essential

• Minimum 4 GCSEs or equivalent including Maths, English&ONE Science and one other GCSE (at grade C or above / grade 9 - 4)

Experience

Essential

• Customer Service Experience Team Working Personal time management

Desirable

• Health Service experience Pharmacy experience in any sector

Apprenticeship

Essential

• Apprenticeship: Resident in UK/EU for at least 3 years
• Apprenticeship: Must not hold a Level 3 qualification or above in the same training subject
• Apprenticeship: Not already in formal government funded education.

Skills, Knowledge/Ability

Essential

• Good written skills Confident IT skills Ability to work in a team and alone Proven willingness to learn Problem solving Good oral communication skills Good interpersonal skills Treat patients and colleagues with dignity and respect Demonstrates attention to detail Knowing limits of own authority/knowledge and when to refer to appropriate person

Desirable

• Proven organisation and time management skills Capable of reviewing and reflecting on own performance to identify own development needs