Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Team MWL as a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician in our Pharmacy team based at Whiston and St Helens Hospitals

On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, you will become a qualified Pharmacy Technician, and be able to register with GPhC.

You must be willing and able to follow an academic and practical training course and commit to undertaking at least 10 hours per week of your own time to complete college assignments.

Applicants must have at least 4 GCSEs or Equivalent, at grade C (or grade 4 or above) which must include Maths, English, and 2 Science subjects

Or

If you have 2 years Pharmacy experience and already have your NVQ L2, then you may apply but will need to pass a science assessment before being offered the post.

You must be able to provide the original certificates (or certified copies) of these qualifications at the interview stage. Statement of results will not be accepted.

This post is offered on a fixed-term basis for 2 years. Due to the significant training and development investment associated with this role, applicants must be committed to completing the full 2-year term of the contract and be able to demonstrate their entitlement to work in the UK for the full duration of the appointment.

Main duties of the job

You must be willing and able to follow an academic and practical training course and commit to undertaking at least 10 hours per week of your own time to complete college assignments. Successful completion of this training will allow you to register with the GPhC as a practicing Pharmacy Technician.

As a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician, you will rotate through different sections of the Pharmacy department, including Inpatient and Outpatient dispensing Ward services and Pharmacy stores, where you will be working with our newly installed automated dispensing systems. You will be preparing and dispensing a broad range of medicines including controlled drugs learning how to undertake a medicines reconciliation at ward level, final accuracy checking of prescriptions as well as providing advice and guidance to patients about their medicines.

As an apprenticeship this role is supported by an accompanying assessment and skills development programme, during which the post holder will gain the skills and knowledge relevant for this role. Learning will be a mix of in the workplace, formal on and off the job training, and the opportunity to practise new skills in a real work environment. On successful completion of their Apprenticeship, they will have the right knowledge, skills, and behaviours they need for their chosen role.

About us

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Our services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.

Details

Date posted

26 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

409-8357929

Job locations

Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To assist in the receipt of prescriptions accurately according to safe working practices.
• To assist in the dispensing of prescriptions accurately and according to safe working practices.
• To fully participate in the Trainee technicians rota through each area of the pharmacy, including the dispensaries at St Helens and Whiston, Pharmacy stores, Medicines information and the Aseptic dispensing unit.
• To assist in the dispensing of controlled drug prescriptions and associated record keeping.
• To assist in stock control within the Pharmacy, wards, departments, and clinics.
• To request stocks and special line items in order to fulfil prescriptions.
• To take payment for prescriptions according to the departmental procedure.
• To assist in the preparation and assembly of supplies for delivery to wards and departments.
• To assist in the dispensing of extemporaneous medicines, using specific equipment (e.g., fume cupboards and weighing balances) and taking protective measures. Weighing and measuring must be accurate as there are narrow margins for errors.
• To assist in the preparation and dispensing of aseptically prepared products and cytotoxic drugs in accordance with agreed procedures of good practice and safety.
• To assist other members of staff in the performance of their duties.
• To answer phone calls and queries from patients and other healthcare professionals and refer to the appropriate person when necessary.
• To assist in the provision of individual dose dispensing and blister packing services for patients who have difficulty with normal medicines packaging.
• To assist in the preparation and assembly of resuscitation and anaphylaxis boxes according to Trust Policy.
• To participate as necessary in weekend, evening, bank holiday and on-call rotas in response to the changing needs of the service.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To work to the code of ethics and standards of practice as laid down by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• To undertake and successfully complete all aspects of the Approved training course for Pre-registration Pharmacy Technicians, including work-based projects and college assignments, as employment and progression to year 2 of the course is entirely dependent on completing year 1.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• To use the CMM computer system and input data responsibly and accurately, for all duties requiring its use.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• To assist in departmental audit research projects to improve and develop the service provision, and to record and information required and assist in the compilation of necessary data.

Job description Job responsibilities To assist in the receipt of prescriptions accurately according to safe working practices. To assist in the dispensing of prescriptions accurately and according to safe working practices. To fully participate in the Trainee technicians rota through each area of the pharmacy, including the dispensaries at St Helens and Whiston, Pharmacy stores, Medicines information and the Aseptic dispensing unit. To assist in the dispensing of controlled drug prescriptions and associated record keeping. To assist in stock control within the Pharmacy, wards, departments, and clinics. To request stocks and special line items in order to fulfil prescriptions. To take payment for prescriptions according to the departmental procedure. To assist in the preparation and assembly of supplies for delivery to wards and departments. To assist in the dispensing of extemporaneous medicines, using specific equipment (e.g., fume cupboards and weighing balances) and taking protective measures. Weighing and measuring must be accurate as there are narrow margins for errors. To assist in the preparation and dispensing of aseptically prepared products and cytotoxic drugs in accordance with agreed procedures of good practice and safety. To assist other members of staff in the performance of their duties. To answer phone calls and queries from patients and other healthcare professionals and refer to the appropriate person when necessary. To assist in the provision of individual dose dispensing and blister packing services for patients who have difficulty with normal medicines packaging. To assist in the preparation and assembly of resuscitation and anaphylaxis boxes according to Trust Policy. To participate as necessary in weekend, evening, bank holiday and on-call rotas in response to the changing needs of the service. CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES To work to the code of ethics and standards of practice as laid down by the General Pharmaceutical Council. To undertake and successfully complete all aspects of the Approved training course for Pre-registration Pharmacy Technicians, including work-based projects and college assignments, as employment and progression to year 2 of the course is entirely dependent on completing year 1. ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES To use the CMM computer system and input data responsibly and accurately, for all duties requiring its use. RESEARCH & AUDIT To assist in departmental audit research projects to improve and develop the service provision, and to record and information required and assist in the compilation of necessary data.

Person Specification

Our Values

Essential

• We are Kind
• We are Open
• We are Inclusive

Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum entry requirement Educated to GCSE Grade C/4 in English and Maths and/or equivalent qualification. For those with an education, health and care plan or legacy statement, the Apprenticeship's English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is equivalent to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
• Minimum entry requirement 2 years current experience working in a Pharmacy setting, combined with a NVQ L2 in Pharmacy Service skills or other GPhC recognised qualification, with or without a science subject. For candidates without the above experience and qualification, they must have at least one science qualification GCSE Grade A-C.
• Qualification to be gained over the period of the apprenticeship: Commitment to and completion of the Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification

Experience

Essential

• Able to communicate with a range of people, in a way that is clear and understood
• Demonstrate an ability to work as part of a teamwork to achieve a common goal
• Can plan, organise, and effectively prioritise tasks to achieve the required objectives
• Can effectively manage own time and activity to meet deadlines
• Demonstrates an understanding of the NHS
• Knowledge & Experience to be gained over the period of the apprenticeship: IT skills with knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office package
• Previous experience working in a Pharmacy setting

Skills

Essential

• Skills to be gained over the period of the apprenticeship: Ability to use own initiative and show resilience
• Good verbal and communication skills
• Ability to work and follow instruction accurately
• Good attention to detail
• Well organised with good time management skills
• Ability to work accurately and under pressure
• Ability to be part of a team
• Reliable, trustworthy, and able to maintain confidentiality

Other

Essential

• Other will be gained over the period of the apprenticeship to obtain: Always comply with Trust policies and procedures at all times
• Ability to travel between hospital locations
• Ability to participate in the department rota for late and weekend working
• Supportive of colleagues of all grades
• Presents a professional image/appearance

Person Specification Our Values Essential We are Kind We are Open We are Inclusive Qualifications Essential Minimum entry requirement Educated to GCSE Grade C/4 in English and Maths and/or equivalent qualification. For those with an education, health and care plan or legacy statement, the Apprenticeship's English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is equivalent to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL. Minimum entry requirement 2 years current experience working in a Pharmacy setting, combined with a NVQ L2 in Pharmacy Service skills or other GPhC recognised qualification, with or without a science subject. For candidates without the above experience and qualification, they must have at least one science qualification GCSE Grade A-C. Qualification to be gained over the period of the apprenticeship: Commitment to and completion of the Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification Experience Essential Able to communicate with a range of people, in a way that is clear and understood Demonstrate an ability to work as part of a teamwork to achieve a common goal Can plan, organise, and effectively prioritise tasks to achieve the required objectives Can effectively manage own time and activity to meet deadlines Demonstrates an understanding of the NHS Knowledge & Experience to be gained over the period of the apprenticeship: IT skills with knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office package Previous experience working in a Pharmacy setting Skills Essential Skills to be gained over the period of the apprenticeship: Ability to use own initiative and show resilience Good verbal and communication skills Ability to work and follow instruction accurately Good attention to detail Well organised with good time management skills Ability to work accurately and under pressure Ability to be part of a team Reliable, trustworthy, and able to maintain confidentiality Other Essential Other will be gained over the period of the apprenticeship to obtain: Always comply with Trust policies and procedures at all times Ability to travel between hospital locations Ability to participate in the department rota for late and weekend working Supportive of colleagues of all grades Presents a professional image/appearance

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road

Prescot

L35 5DR

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)