About this role
Job summary
We are currently looking for an apprentice pharmacy technician to begin the training programme in September 2026.
First year apprentices are based in the dispensary, learning how to dispense a wide variety of medicines and communicating with patients and other healthcare professionals. They will also spend some time in our stores, helping to ensure the wards have adequate supplies of medicines.
Second year apprentices expand their work in the dispensary, including counselling patients about their medicines and checking dispensed medicines. They will also spend time on the wards, speaking with patients and gathering information about their medicines on admission to hospital. Some time is spent in the Aseptic Unit , where a variety of medicines such as chemotherapy agents are produced.
One day each week is spent attending lessons and an extra half-day will be allocated as study time.
Completion of the apprenticeship will allow the successful candidate to apply to the General Pharmaceutical Council for professional registration as a pharmacy technician.
Our ideal candidate would be keen to learn, a good team player, be patient focused with a keen eye for detail and able to communicate clearly with a wide range of people and be eligible for inclusion in the apprenticeship programme.
We are committed to an inclusive pharmacy workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve, creating a compassionate and respectful environment where all staff feel valued and supported.
Main duties of the job
Undertaking vocation-based training and completion of Pharmacy Technician qualification Receiving prescriptions from patients Answering the telephone Rotating in stores completing medicines stock requests Dispensing inpatient, discharge and outpatient prescriptions
About us
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of hospital and community services for people across East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K).
The Trust provides high quality planned and emergency care, cardiac, critical care, child health, maternity services and intermediate care at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.
The Trust provides over 500 beds and employs over 5,100 members of staff.A comprehensive range of community services is provided across 26 medical centres and schools through our Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership.
We have played, and continue to play, a proactive role in the development of Integrated Care plans across Cheshire & Merseyside and our local Cheshire East and Cheshire West Place-based systems. We believe, and it is the cornerstone of our five-year Trust Strategy, there is the opportunity to progress innovative,responsiveand effective care in the best setting for the patient, be it in the hospital or out in the community.
At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.
Job description Job responsibilities
To carry out routine dispensing and labelling of prescriptions using selected computerised systems for inpatients, discharge patients and outpatients. This includes dispensing unlicensed medicines, controlled drugs and extemporaneous preparations under supervision and in accordance with standard operating procedures. To carry out technical duties, on a rotational basis, such as the maintenance of emergency drug boxes, emergency drugs cupboard, filing of prescriptions, vaccine supply, clinical trials, dispensing compliance packs and pre-labelled discharge packs to wards and departments in accordance with pharmacy procedures To participate in the ward based one stop dispensing service which involves checking patients' own medicines and assessing their suitability for use, arranging re-supply of patients' medicines, liaising with G.P.s, nursing homes, community pharmacists, medical and ward staff, under supervision To attend to outpatients coming to the pharmacy for prescriptions, collect prescription payments, deal with patients who are exempt from paying and those who have no money with them, helping to complete relevant forms and provide and receive information in a sensitive and professional manner, ensuring confidentiality at all times, referring to a pharmacist or pharmacy technician as necessary To counsel patients on their medication, and issue patient information leaflets as part of Pharmacy Standard Level 3 training under the supervision of a pharmacist or qualified assessor To participate in the packing, distribution, turnover and storage of stock pharmaceutical supplies to allocated wards and departments by means of the topping up system or in response to requisitions from wards, under supervision To participate in the preparation of total parenteral nutrition products, and any other aseptic work, including preparation of documentation and calculations using computerised systems, under supervision To participate in procedures to control stock in the dispensary, including the monitoring of expiry dates, checking of stock and advising the Dispensary Manager of low stock levels To process telephone, face to face, fax and e-mail enquiries in a professional manner, referring to senior staff as appropriate To ensure care, attention to detail and accuracy is maintained at all times when dispensing prescriptions, using calculations for drug doses and undertaking other tasks To participate in the weekend, evening and bank holiday rotas To assist in the training of Assistant Technical Officers, Apprentice Technicians and other pharmacy staff as directed by senior staff and pharmacy procedures To act as a role model for new staff and other members of the technical support team. Governance
To operate selected computerised systems, observing and enforcing systems of work designed to ensure accuracy, integrity and security of data, with particular respect to resource management and data protection. To communicate effectively with a wide range of people both within and outside the organisation, whilst maintaining confidentiality. These will include patients, nursing staff, medical staff, pharmacy staff, community pharmacy staff, nursing home staff, G.P.s and other healthcare professionals. To maintain a high standard of service to patients, wards, departments, visitors and other healthcare professionals and to follow at all times the professional code of conduct. To ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines for self and others, by taking action / alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerns about any aspect of patient care. Education / Learning
To attend a BTEC Level 3 Pharmacy Standard, to achieve the BTEC certificate and to undertake any associated necessary study in order to comply with the requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council for pharmacy technician registration. This job description is an outline of the role and function. It is not intended to describe all specific tasks.
Apprentice Pharmacy Technicians at MCHFT have a responsibility to :
Always act in accordance with Medicines, Ethics and Conduct code of the GPhC and guiding documents Maintain up to date skills and knowledge Maintain a professional / personal portfolio Adhere to Trust policy, procedures and guidelines Act in accordance with the Trust's values and behaviours Comply with Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) policies and procedures as appropriate to their role and responsibilities in their individual work setting. Staff are required to be personally accountable for their actions and be responsible for their own compliance in relation to IP&C policies, protocols or advice Ensure they work in accordance with local procedures and report any issues which they consider to be a risk to the health and safety of themselves and / or others. Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking to ensure that we provide equity of service across seven days of the week. Evening, weekend and bank holiday work will be required.
Managerial / Leadership
To maintain a healthy, safe and secure working environment, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, maintaining accurate documentation and reporting any concerns.
Communications
Attendance at departmental team meetings.
Digital
To operate selected computerised systems, ensuring accuracy and security of data to comply with the data protection act.
All staff at MCHFT have a responsibility to:
Maintain up to date skills and knowledge Maintain an awareness of patient led service issues Maintain a professional / personal portfolio Adhere to all Trust policy, procedures and guidelines Adhere to Trust standards of behaviour and expected performance Maintain professional registration where it is mandated for the role Comply with Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) policies and procedures as appropriate to their role and responsibilities in their individual work setting. Staff are required to be personally accountable for their actions and be responsible for their own compliance in relation to IP&C policies, protocols or advice Work in accordance with local procedures and report any issues which they consider to be a risk to the health and safety of themselves and / or others Where applicable to participate in and provide data on the efficacy of treatment Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Qualifications / Experience
4 GCSEs at Grade C or grade 4 above in Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and English Language or similar qualification. Or functional skills level 2.
Keyboard skills
Skills and Knowledge
Accurate numeracy and literacy.
Willing to take direction and consistently adhere to policies, procedures and standards.
Keen to learn new skills and desire to undertake training opportunities.
Good team member.
Ability to be organised, systematic and accurate with good attention to detail.
Honest, trustworthy, reliable and able to maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
Ability to prioritise and work on own initiative.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Able to communicate with all healthcare professionals, patients and carers
Physical Skills
Good attendance record.
Occupational Health cleared to perform the duties of the role.
Ability to study, including homework, and to travel to work / study venue.
Ability to work weekends, bank holidays and be flexible in hours worked during the week.
Ability to perform a wide range of duties according to the Job Description.
Ability to perform a wide range of duties according to the Job Description.
Values & Behaviours
Act in accordance with the Trusts Values and Behaviours.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Possess 4 GCSE's Grade C or above (grade 4 or above), including Mathematics, English Language, Biology and Chemistry (dual or triple science GCSE will be accepted if the modules include biology and chemistry), or Functional Skills Level 2
prior skills and knowledge Desirable
prior skills and knowledge
Trust values and behaviours Essential
Demonstrate knowledge of Trust values and behaviours
Eligibility for apprenticeship Essential
Eligibility for apprenticeship
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 details Employer name Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Leighton Hospital
Middlewich Road
Crewe
CW1 4QJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.mcht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)