Job summary The Thorpe Practice and Mosborough Health Centre have an exciting training opportunity for two National Apprenticeship Cross Sector Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician. Each Apprentice will be allocated to a specific practice and will also have the opportunity to work in Community Pharmacies. This is a fantastic opportunity to undertake a formal professional qualification whilst learning on the job. You will gain extensive understanding of pharmacy whilst rotating between GP practices and Community Pharmacies. You will be part of the multidisciplinary team. Both practices sit within Townships 1 Primary Care Network (PCN). Candidates are required to have an interest in developing a career in pharmacy, to become professionally registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council Candidates will need to be enthusiastic, motivated, and hard working and have good communication and interpersonal skills. Candidates will be required to complete the qualification for the Apprentice Pharmacy Technician- BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principle and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians. Candidates will be registered with Bradford College training provider who will provide online training. You will need 4 GCSEs passes (Grade A-C / Level 9-4) including Mathematics, English Language, Science and ONE other. You will be employed by either The Thorpe Practice or Mosborough Health Centre but will be working across both Hackenthorpe and Owlthorpe Surgeries. Main duties of the job Under the support and guidance of Pharmacy and Practice staff, and through a structured rotational training program with Community Pharmacy and General Practice the post holder will: develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to achieve a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) - accredited course or approved qualification within the Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship pathway, to support registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council complete the required competencies in the workplace to achieve the accredited course / recognised qualification / apprenticeship and will complete the learning organised by the training provider using agreed weekly study day/session(s) and study in personal time. ensure knowledge, attitudes and behaviour follow the General Pharmaceutical Councils Standards for Pharmacy Professionals during the two-year training programme in order that they can seek a declaration of competence from supervising pharmacy professional in all sectors, as required for registration. About us The Thorpe Practice and Mosborough Health Centre sit within Townships 1, Primary Care Network (PCN). This consists of 3 additional practices which are Birley, Crystal Peaks and Sothall Medical Centres. Thorpe Practice and Mosborough Health Centre both have friendly and supportive teams and on a wider scale all 5 practices work collaboratively to support the wider communities that sit within Townships 1. Date posted 08 November 2024 Pay scheme Other Salary Depending on experience Apprenticeship Contract Apprenticeship Duration 2 years Working pattern Full-time Reference number A1445-24-0001 Job locations Owlthorpe Surgery Moorthorpe Bank Owlthorpe Sheffield S20 6PD Job description Job responsibilities To study for one day a week to achieve the Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician training programme in the two-year duration and complete the required accredited course/recognised qualification/apprenticeship To complete rotations in Community Pharmacy for a period of training delivered weekly or in a block (minimum of three months per year) dispensing, checking, and issuing medicines, counselling patients on how to use their medicines, stock management, reconciliation of medicines, and Over the Counter (OTC) sales for minor ailments, medicines review, and enhanced services eg, stop smoking services under the supervision of Pharmacy Staff. To complete rotations in General Practice for a period of training as defined in the training plan; delivered weekly or in a block responding to a prescription requests, reviewing hospital discharge/clinical letters and reconciling medication against current medications highlighting discrepancies under the supervision of the Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician, completing audits under the supervision of a Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician. To gain knowledge of diseases, basic treatments and the actions and uses of drugs. To answer basic pharmaceutical queries under supervision. To learn about and contribute to the objectives for safe patient care in all workplaces. To support team values to ensure the maintenance of the highest professional standards. To always maintain confidentiality. Community Pharmacy responsibilities: To work under the supervision of the Supervising Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician at all times. To follow all workplace Standard Operating Procedures at all times. To learn about Medicines Optimisation and how Pharmacy Technicians contribute to Community Pharmacy services. This will involve a patient-facing role. To assist the Pharmacist in retrieving electronic prescriptions (EPS) as per SOPs. To receive prescriptions and ensure they are legal and valid and advise patients on completing the declaration. To use the Pharmacy computer system to record Patient Medication Records and create labels. To dispense prescriptions including FP10s & Private Prescriptions and monitored dosage systems (MDS) and confirm accuracy as per community, dispensing pharmacy SOPs. To issue prescriptions and counsel patients on how to use their medicines. To dispose of returned and unwanted medication as per SOPs. To record controlled drugs in the CD register and conduct controlled drug balance checks as per SOPs. To order, receive, store, and maintain stock as per SOPs. To support the community pharmacist with medicines reconciliation in accordance with protocols, highlighting discrepancies to ensure patients medication records are up to date and liaising with general practice to ensure the correct medicines are continued following transfer of care. To complete OTC sales and recommendations for common minor ailments under the supervision of a Pharmacist, trained Pharmacy staff. To support the Pharmacist to complete Medication Use Reviews (MURs), New Medicines Service (NMS) and Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) To support the Pharmacist to complete commissioned enhanced services e.g., stop smoking services, under the supervision of Pharmacy Staff. To liaise with General Practice regarding prescription issues. General Practice responsibilities: To work under the supervision of the Pharmacy professional at all times and liaison with other Practice staff. To follow all workplace Standard Operating Procedures at all times To learn about Medicines Optimisation and how Pharmacy Technicians contribute to General Practice. This will involve working in General Practice in a patient facing role and with telephone contact. To use the surgery computer system to record information & consultations, run searches and send tasks to other healthcare professionals. To respond to prescription requests from community patients, nursing home staff, pharmacy staff and GPs, processing them with 48 hours for routine prescriptions and same day for urgent prescriptions. This can include re-routing prescriptions to out of hours pharmacies for same day delivery. To learn about and be involved with the use of practice templates to record patient monitoring for high-risk drugs. To learn about and be involved in monitoring blood tests, recalls and reviews using established protocols and involvement of the appropriate clinician. To review hospital discharge notifications, clinical letters and reconcile medication against current medications, highlighting discrepancies to the pharmacist, designated GP under supervision. To help support practice prescribing budgets by on-going monitoring, audit and analysis of drug use and support practices in reviewing, developing and enhancing cost-effective prescribing. This includes staying aware of latest prescribing improvement targets. To assist pharmacists, clinical staff help with annual medication reviews e.g., Asthma assisting with information to ensure prescribing of most cost-effective formulary product and observing patients have good inhaler technique under supervision. Conduct regular audits on medicines storage ensuring local and national guidelines are adhered to and issues are reported to the appropriate manager. To ensure medicines in the surgery are checked and out of date stock is identified and disposed of in an appropriate and timely manner and disposed of according to SOPs. To utilise resources to promote the reduction of medicines waste. To conduct face to face & telephone interventions (as outlined by the pharmacist) with patients and ensure consultations are recorded and reported to the pharmacist or designated GP. To complete prescribing audits to monitor and analyse individual practice/primary care network prescribing performance and trends against local and national targets, presenting information and data and identifying priority areas for action. To support prescribing clerks by helping with queries relating to prescription requests. To look for ways to improve efficiency and safety of the prescription ordering process, ensuring queries are resolved and scripts issued in line with timeframe in the practice procedure working with the practice pharmacist. To support the pharmacist in implementing drug withdrawals and alerts e.g., MHRA alerts and medicine shortages. To inspire the patient population with seasonal health information campaigns, creating displays throughout the year e.g., Stop Smoking, Antibiotic Awareness, annual Flu campaign. To promote digital solutions including Patient Access, NHS App, Electronic Repeat Dispensing to patients and practice staff as required by Practice Manager. Research & Audit: To assist Pharmacy Technicians & General Practice Pharmacists in the completion of audits as required. Training & Development: To complete a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)-accredited course, GPhC-recognised qualification or a GPhC approved apprenticeship pathway. This will support eligibility to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacy Technician. To study using online resources one day each week (or equivalent). To commit to study at home where necessary. To complete mandatory training and other statutory training at all workplaces. To complete local competency-based assessments where necessary. To ensure that you meet the minimum number of hours work based experience, as stated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, to enable you to register as a qualified Pharmacy Technician. Job description Job responsibilities To study for one day a week to achieve the Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician training programme in the two-year duration and complete the required accredited course/recognised qualification/apprenticeship To complete rotations in Community Pharmacy for a period of training delivered weekly or in a block (minimum of three months per year) dispensing, checking, and issuing medicines, counselling patients on how to use their medicines, stock management, reconciliation of medicines, and Over the Counter (OTC) sales for minor ailments, medicines review, and enhanced services eg, stop smoking services under the supervision of Pharmacy Staff. To complete rotations in General Practice for a period of training as defined in the training plan; delivered weekly or in a block responding to a prescription requests, reviewing hospital discharge/clinical letters and reconciling medication against current medications highlighting discrepancies under the supervision of the Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician, completing audits under the supervision of a Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician. To gain knowledge of diseases, basic treatments and the actions and uses of drugs. To answer basic pharmaceutical queries under supervision. To learn about and contribute to the objectives for safe patient care in all workplaces. To support team values to ensure the maintenance of the highest professional standards. To always maintain confidentiality. Community Pharmacy responsibilities: To work under the supervision of the Supervising Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician at all times. To follow all workplace Standard Operating Procedures at all times. To learn about Medicines Optimisation and how Pharmacy Technicians contribute to Community Pharmacy services. This will involve a patient-facing role. To assist the Pharmacist in retrieving electronic prescriptions (EPS) as per SOPs. To receive prescriptions and ensure they are legal and valid and advise patients on completing the declaration. To use the Pharmacy computer system to record Patient Medication Records and create labels. To dispense prescriptions including FP10s & Private Prescriptions and monitored dosage systems (MDS) and confirm accuracy as per community, dispensing pharmacy SOPs. To issue prescriptions and counsel patients on how to use their medicines. To dispose of returned and unwanted medication as per SOPs. To record controlled drugs in the CD register and conduct controlled drug balance checks as per SOPs. To order, receive, store, and maintain stock as per SOPs. To support the community pharmacist with medicines reconciliation in accordance with protocols, highlighting discrepancies to ensure patients medication records are up to date and liaising with general practice to ensure the correct medicines are continued following transfer of care. To complete OTC sales and recommendations for common minor ailments under the supervision of a Pharmacist, trained Pharmacy staff. To support the Pharmacist to complete Medication Use Reviews (MURs), New Medicines Service (NMS) and Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) To support the Pharmacist to complete commissioned enhanced services e.g., stop smoking services, under the supervision of Pharmacy Staff. To liaise with General Practice regarding prescription issues. General Practice responsibilities: To work under the supervision of the Pharmacy professional at all times and liaison with other Practice staff. To follow all workplace Standard Operating Procedures at all times To learn about Medicines Optimisation and how Pharmacy Technicians contribute to General Practice. This will involve working in General Practice in a patient facing role and with telephone contact. To use the surgery computer system to record information & consultations, run searches and send tasks to other healthcare professionals. To respond to prescription requests from community patients, nursing home staff, pharmacy staff and GPs, processing them with 48 hours for routine prescriptions and same day for urgent prescriptions. This can include re-routing prescriptions to out of hours pharmacies for same day delivery. To learn about and be involved with the use of practice templates to record patient monitoring for high-risk drugs. To learn about and be involved in monitoring blood tests, recalls and reviews using established protocols and involvement of the appropriate clinician. To review hospital discharge notifications, clinical letters and reconcile medication against current medications, highlighting discrepancies to the pharmacist, designated GP under supervision. To help support practice prescribing budgets by on-going monitoring, audit and analysis of drug use and support practices in reviewing, developing and enhancing cost-effective prescribing. This includes staying aware of latest prescribing improvement targets. To assist pharmacists, clinical staff help with annual medication reviews e.g., Asthma assisting with information to ensure prescribing of most cost-effective formulary product and observing patients have good inhaler technique under supervision. Conduct regular audits on medicines storage ensuring local and national guidelines are adhered to and issues are reported to the appropriate manager. To ensure medicines in the surgery are checked and out of date stock is identified and disposed of in an appropriate and timely manner and disposed of according to SOPs. To utilise resources to promote the reduction of medicines waste. To conduct face to face & telephone interventions (as outlined by the pharmacist) with patients and ensure consultations are recorded and reported to the pharmacist or designated GP. To complete prescribing audits to monitor and analyse individual practice/primary care network prescribing performance and trends against local and national targets, presenting information and data and identifying priority areas for action. To support prescribing clerks by helping with queries relating to prescription requests. To look for ways to improve efficiency and safety of the prescription ordering process, ensuring queries are resolved and scripts issued in line with timeframe in the practice procedure working with the practice pharmacist. To support the pharmacist in implementing drug withdrawals and alerts e.g., MHRA alerts and medicine shortages. To inspire the patient population with seasonal health information campaigns, creating displays throughout the year e.g., Stop Smoking, Antibiotic Awareness, annual Flu campaign. To promote digital solutions including Patient Access, NHS App, Electronic Repeat Dispensing to patients and practice staff as required by Practice Manager. Research & Audit: To assist Pharmacy Technicians & General Practice Pharmacists in the completion of audits as required. Training & Development: To complete a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)-accredited course, GPhC-recognised qualification or a GPhC approved apprenticeship pathway. This will support eligibility to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacy Technician. To study using online resources one day each week (or equivalent). To commit to study at home where necessary. To complete mandatory training and other statutory training at all workplaces. To complete local competency-based assessments where necessary. To ensure that you meet the minimum number of hours work based experience, as stated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, to enable you to register as a qualified Pharmacy Technician. Person Specification Qualifications Essential You will require FOUR GCSE (or equivalent) passes (Grade A - C Level 9-4) in the following subjects Mathematics English Language Science One other Note: Check with your training provider for any additional requirements. Ability to work with attention to detail and accuracy Basic IT Skills Ability to work to deadlines in a high-pressure environment Ability to work to complete college, training provider deadlines Good written and oral skills Good team working skills Good numeracy skills Professional attitude, conscientious with the ability to empathise Self Motivate with commitment to the training Ability to complete the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) accredited course, recognised qualification or apprenticeship pathway with Training Provider. Desirable NVQ In Pharmacy Service Skill Level 2 Previous experience in a dispensary in community or hospital or have experience of working in general practice. Customer service skills Person Specification Qualifications Essential You will require FOUR GCSE (or equivalent) passes (Grade A - C Level 9-4) in the following subjects Mathematics English Language Science One other Note: Check with your training provider for any additional requirements. Ability to work with attention to detail and accuracy Basic IT Skills Ability to work to deadlines in a high-pressure environment Ability to work to complete college, training provider deadlines Good written and oral skills Good team working skills Good numeracy skills Professional attitude, conscientious with the ability to empathise Self Motivate with commitment to the training Ability to complete the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) accredited course, recognised qualification or apprenticeship pathway with Training Provider. Desirable NVQ In Pharmacy Service Skill Level 2 Previous experience in a dispensary in community or hospital or have experience of working in general practice. Customer service skills 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 The Thorpe Practice Address Owlthorpe Surgery Moorthorpe Bank Owlthorpe Sheffield S20 6PD Employer's website https://www.owlthorpesurgery.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)