Pharmacy Technician (with ward duties)

Job summary
Working Full time: 37.5 hours per week

We are looking to recruit enthusiastic, hardworking registered Technicians to join our expanding Pharmacy Team. We are looking for Technicians who are motivated and keen to develop their skills as part of an integrated team. Our qualified staff are expected to have a positive work ethic, be flexible and reliable.

Hospital experience is desirable but not essential, as full training will be provided.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to further their skills by completing a BTEC level 4 ACT Qualification. As part of our integrated team, there will be opportunities to work on wards within the main hospital performing top ups and ordering medications for inpatients.

High levels of accuracy are essential as well as the ability to work well under pressure. We are looking for individuals who are confident, have excellent communication and organisation skills and who can use their own initiative to provide a safe and effective service to our patients.

Dispensary based duties will include preparation, dispensing, and supply of medications to a variety of patients. You will be expected to have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to counsel patients effectively. We expect our Technicians to co-operate with all Pharmacy Staff in providing and developing an efficient and comprehensive Pharmaceutical Service under the direction of Senior Pharmacy Management for all patients treated by The Countess of Chester Foundation Trust.

Main duties of the job
Applicants who are due to register in September are eligible to apply

• To carry out accurately and efficiently the dispensing of prescriptions, including unlicensed and namedpatient medication, oral cytotoxic medication, controlled drugs and Patient's own medication inaccordance with the agreed safe systems of work practice and current medicines legislation
• To input and maintain accurate computer and register records for controlled drugs, unlicensed drugs and named-patient medication according to departmental procedures
• To dispense clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, ICH GCP guidelines and European Directive and under the supervision of the clinical trials technician/pharmacist
• Calculate formulae for all extemporaneously prepared medicines using manual methods in accordance with safe dispensing practice and standard operating procedures

About us
The Trust's services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery

Job responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Qualifications
Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services with appropriate underpinning knowledge (BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent)
• Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC
• CPD portfolio inline with GPC requirements

Desirable

• Thorough understanding of policies and procedures

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Minimum of 2 years experience in Pharmacy

Desirable

• Good understanding of hospital pharmacy & experience

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).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).