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Band 3
Main area Pharmacy Grade Band 3 Contract 24 months (Fixed Term) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 279-7202177-JUN25
Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Sussex County and Princess Royal Town Brighton and Haywards Heath Salary £24,625 - £25,674 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 03/07/2025 23:59 Interview date 11/07/2025
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts , we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. 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 a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
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.
Candidates
must
have a minimum of 4 GCSEs or equivalent at 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. Candidates must also meet the eligibility criteria for UK Apprenticeships.
Find out more about the role of the Pharmacy Technician here:
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/pharmacy/roles-pharmacy/pharmacy-technician
Main 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.
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.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, 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 a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Fixed term is planned to run from September 2025 to September 2027.
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
Minimum 4 GCSEs or equivalent including Maths, English & ONE Science and one other GCSE (at grade C or above / grade 9 - 4)
Experience
Customer Service Experience Team Working Personal time management
Health Service experience Pharmacy experience in any sector
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
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
Proven organisation and time management skills Capable of reviewing and reflecting on own performance to identify own development needs
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early:
In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working:
If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks:
As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa:
Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications
Further Information
For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email .
For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email .
Employer certification / accreditation badges
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name Claire Palmer Job title Education and Development Lead-Pharmacy Technician Email address Telephone number Additional information Claire Palmer -Education and Development Lead - ext 68155
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