Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

Are you looking for a new challenge!  Earn and work towards a professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council!

The recruitment team at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) are delighted to be able to offer a fantastic opportunity to become one of our Pre-registration Pharmacy Technician Apprentices. You will undertake a 2 year distance learning training programme with the University of East Anglia under the supervision and support of our established and dedicated pharmacy training team. One day a week is dedicated towards the study component of the course where you can study from home completing your interactive training modules. The university also deliver face to face/online teaching sessions, approximately one per month and informative online forums.

This is a practical course alongside a L4 academic qualification based mainly at Southampton General Hospital with some time at the Royal South Hants Hospital pharmacy, working 37.5hours per week Monday to Friday with a one in six weekend commitment and Bank Holiday commitment, one per year. 

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main outline of rotations will include.
-    Dispensary based training at Southampton General Hospital and The Royal South Hants Hospital where you will be trained through competency-based learning to dispense accurately in the first year moving on to final accuracy checking of medications in the second year. 
-    Receiving prescriptions and issuing medications to patients with advice at the RSH hospital.
-    Pharmacy Stores experience – receiving and distributing of medications out to the Trust and other hospitals.
-    Experience of Audit, Pharmacy Risk, Electronic Prescribing and Clinical Trials will also be offered.
-    Ward based learning where you will spend time with patients discussing their medications they have brought into hospital and offering advice under supervision. 
        -     Observational experience in an area of our large aseptic units learning how to produce Intravenous antibiotics, Total Parental Nutrition or Cytotoxic IV/Infusions.

- Clean driving license is required for cross site/sector placements 
- 37.5hours a week with one in six weekend commitment - either Saturday or Sunday and one Bank Holiday per year which may include Christmas Day
- You will need a minimum of 5 GCSE’s grade C/4 or higher and they must include Maths, English Language and a Science or equivalent overseas qualification. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) rules state ‘A non-UK national is eligible for funding if they have permission from the UK government to live in the UK (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily a resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of the apprenticeship.’
- If short-listed proof of qualifications will need to be provided before the interview date. 

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

• 5 GCSE’s grade C or above (4-9), or equivalent and must include English language, Maths and Science
• Willingness and ability to undertake Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of Health and Safety and Risk Management
• Experience of working/dealing with the public including part time or voluntary work
• Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team

Desirable criteria

• Level 2 NVQ certificate in Pharmacy service skills or other GPhC approved qualification
• Experience of stock management
• Work experience, either in hospital pharmacy and/or community pharmacy
• Experience of working in a customer orientated service or healthcare setting
• Experience of recent study including portfolio construction

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Communication
• Customer service
• General IT skills
• Microsoft Office skills
• Organisational skills
• Prioritisation
• Problem solving
• Risk management
• Teamwork
• Working under pressure

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.