Apprentice Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

Applicants must supply proof of a minimum of 5 GCSEs to include English, math, chemistry and one other science subject (dual award accepted). If oversees qualifications, these must be converted to UK equivalent.

Are you confident, forward-thinking, and looking for a new challenge? Why not consider joining the pharmacy department at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for a self-motivated individual who has the enthusiasm, flexibility, and commitment to train under the apprenticeship framework to become a registered pharmacy technician, giving you a great opportunity to be a part of the delivery of treatments in oncology.

Together with full on the job training, you will study part time, one day a week, for the pharmacy technician (integrated) (level 3) qualification. On completion of your qualification, you will register with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a pharmacy technician which will allow you to practice as a pharmacy technician in England and Wales. You will be supported in your training and further development by an experienced pharmacy team.

You will need to have five GSCE's, grade 9 - 4 (A-C) or equivalent, including English, Maths and two sciences, one of which must be chemistry. This is a 24-month fixed term apprenticeship contract.

Main duties of the job

You will have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet wonderful people, and do things you may never have done. You will learn about working in a hospital environment, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills and enhance your career path. We are focused on your future, working together to make our pharmacy the best place to work.

The post is full time and will involve rotating through the specialist sections of the pharmacy department which include the clinical service, aseptic service, clinical trials, and dispensing service. Some of the things you will learn:

To recognise and work within your scope of practice and skills. To accurately assemble prescribed items. To apply the principles of clinical governance and ensure person's confidentiality. To demonstrate operational skills within your scope of practice. To provide a safe, effective, and responsive pharmacy service. To communicate and work effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team. To effectively use systems to support the safe and effective management and supply of medicines. To check and review your own and others work effectively. To prioritise time and resources effectively to achieve local and national objectives. To ensure that health and safety controls are embedded and working. To effectively supervise other members of the team

About us

Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients and staff, ensuring we keep thriving and delivering outstanding healthcare right across the organisation.

You will have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet wonderful people and do things you may never have done. You will learn about working in a hospital environment, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills and enhance your career path. We are focused on your future, working together to make our pharmacy the best place to work.

You will make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold and help innovate to keep improve services. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of. If you are keen to make a positive contribution to the care of our patients, are enthusiastic, self- motivated and willing to learn new skills, we would like to hear from you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

ASEPTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

The apprentice will be trained in aseptics to the standards required to meet the apprenticeship criteria.

To be part of the dispensing service for systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) requiring aseptic preparation including cytotoxic medication, gene therapy and monoclonal antibodies from point of prescription receipt. To be aware of and always follow all departmental operating procedures and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidance. To aseptically dispense products within the aseptic facilities including accurately measuring volumes and following aseptic no-touch techniques. To be responsible for the transfer disinfection, into the aseptic units, all items required for aseptic processing, following departmental processes. To be fully aware of COSHH regulations particularly regarding the safe storage and handling of pharmaceutical products. To be aware of the Aseptic Spillage procedure and what to do in the event of spillage of a drug product. To carry out environmental monitoring with swabs, contact and settle agar plates and be responsible for sending and ensuring environmental monitoring samples are sent to Quality Control in a timely manner. To provide support to the aseptic prescription management/administration systems. To participate in the aseptic unit cleaning rota, including cleaning of the aseptic units before and after core hours, if required. To undertake regular cleaning duties carried out during the working day. To set up and assemble work trays according to departmental SOPs in a timely and efficient manner. To ensure adequate knowledge and understanding of clinical trials products prepared in aseptics relevant to the job role including accountability, stock control and storage requirements. To follow Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidance and undertake, where relevant, data collection for aseptic clinical trial products. To manage the system for safe retrieval, storage, and re-issue of returned/ deferred chemotherapy. To communicate effectively with healthcare professionals both within and outside the Trust. To ensure good team working with other pharmacy staff, ward staff and other service providers as necessary. To carry out stock management including receipt, correct storage, stock count, expiry check and weekly ordering of all aseptic items including medication, diluents, and consumables. To carry out stock ordering through multiple supply channels and monitor stock levels. To be aware of and participate, where required, in departmental audits. To perform any other duties as requested by the Chief Pharmacy Technician for aseptic services, the Lead Pharmacist for Aseptic Services or Director of Pharmacy. To be responsible for your own personal development within the role through attending relevant in-house, Trust and external training and through review with line manager.

CLINICAL SERVICES DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To participate and be responsible for clinical pharmacy technician services on designated wards in conjunction with the ward pharmacist, to ensure a high quality, patientfocused clinical pharmacy and medicines supply service to oncology patients is delivered. To understand the process whereby each patient is assessed on admission regarding medicines management, taking a complete and accurate medication history. To assess the suitability of patients own medicines on admission, for use in the Trust, ensuring continuation of supply. To participate in the assessment of patients for the self-medication scheme in accordance with local policy. To provide a weekly top up service for patients on designated wards to ensure continuous supply of medication. To be responsible for and assist the ward pharmacist in ensuring the efficient supply of medication during the patients stay in hospital and on discharge, including assessing the suitability of medication for discharge. To understand and have a working knowledge of the discharge planning process and liaise with the ward pharmacist and other healthcare professionals to ensure prescriptions are processed and delivered to patients in a timely manner. To counsel patients and their carers to ensure a greater understanding of their medicines including its safe use and side effects. To have a working knowledge and utilise the Clinical Web Portal and Summary Care Record facility to aid the clinical pharmacy technician role on the ward. To undertake all clinical duties in accordance with standard operating procedures and all local, Trust and national guidelines. To assist in maintaining optimal stock levels of medication on all ward areas to provide a cost-effective service. To participate in departmental, Trust and national risk management schemes such as error reporting systems and intervention monitoring. To assist in clinical audit or practice research as required. To support ORTC satellite dispensary and day case SACT units, when required, and facilitate the medication requirements for chemotherapy patients. To have a working knowledge of pharmacy procurement including ordering medications from wholesalers and processes around the replenishment of ward stock. To understand the legal requirements for controlled drugs with respect to receipt, storage and dispensing. To support and coordinate provisions of pharmacy services between the wholly owned subsidiary company and the ward area and departments within the Trust. To support the provision of ward pharmacy stock replenishment, including the use of automated stock cupboards and training of other pharmacy staff.

PLEASE REFER TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A FULL LIST OF DUTIES.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

5 GCSEs 9 - 4 (A - C) (or equivalent) which must include math, English and two sciences, one of which must be chemistry. If oversees qualifications, these must be converted to UK equivalent.

Desirable

NVQ Level 2 certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills

Experience

Essential

Working as part of a team Basic understanding of pharmacy practice

Desirable

Experience of working in a pharmacy environment Hospital experience

Skills

Essential

Excellent communication & interpersonal skills, Excellent organisational skills Ability to prioritise work effectively Ability to undertake physical and manual tasks Self-motivated, able to work as part of a team Reliable, honest, and flexible

Desirable

Understanding of COSHH

Knowledge

Essential

IT literate

Values

Essential

Able to deal with varied situations with tact and diplomacy To show empathy and understanding staff and patients To treat people with dignity and respect Professional approach Ability to adapt to change and to develop services and system to meet changing need Equality and diversity Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

Essential

Flexible approach to work Ability to work in a busy environment and deal with several on-going commitments and tasks at the same time Positive 'can-do' attitude Motivated and willing to learn new skills Able to contribute constructively to a team-working environment Able to follow general processes and procedures and working using own initiative without direct supervision Bank holiday working Flexible working hours as required

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