An exciting opportunity is available to join the Team at MWL as a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician in our Pharmacy team based at Whiston and St Helens Hospitals.
This is a 2-year fixed term training post of 37.5 hours per week, working towards successful completion of:
- Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) Level 3
On successful completion of the above apprenticeship programme, you will become a qualified Pharmacy Technician, and be able to register with GPhC.
This opportunity includes:
- Paid employment with holiday leave
- Hands-on-experience working in a leading NHS organisation
- 6 hours per week time, pro rota off-the-job learning
- Support to gain a nationally recognised qualification
Applicants must have at least 4 GCSEs or Equivalent, at grade C (or grade 4 or above) which must include Maths, English, and Science
Or
If you have 2 years Pharmacy experience and already have your NVQ L2 in Pharmacy services or equivalent 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.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to gain significant new knowledge and skills and boost your career within Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 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.
- 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
Knowledge & 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.
- Previous experience working in a Pharmacy setting.
- Knowledge & Experience to be gained over the period of the apprenticeship: IT skills with knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office package
Skills
Essential
- 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
- Skills to be gained over the period of the apprenticeship: Ability to use own initiative and show resilience
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between hospital locations
- Ability to participate in the department rota for late and weekend working
- Supportive of colleagues of all grades
- Other will be gained over the period of the apprenticeship to obtain: Always comply with Trust policies and procedures at all times
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.
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).
Closing Date: 12 June 2026
