A Vacancy at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
We are offering the opportunity for an enthusiastic, intelligent, hard‑working candidate to train as Pre‑registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician.
The successful candidate will be required to complete a 2‑year training programme to become a qualified Pharmacy Technician, attending college one day a week to complete a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians and in‑house training.
To be eligible to apply, applicants must have a minimum of 4 GCSEs, which must include Maths, English and 2 Science subjects (or a dual Science award) at grade C/4 or above.
Candidates will be required to present original qualification certificates at the interview stage.
You must demonstrate a commitment to study and training to enable you to complete the 2‑year programme. Individuals need to be highly organised, motivated and capable of meeting multiple deadlines. You must be able to plan your own studies at home and complete college work punctually. The majority of study will be completed independently.
This is a two‑year fixed‑term position due to start 01/09/2026 and will end 31/08/2028 as a training post.
NHS Employees should ideally secure their manager's agreement for a secondment arrangement prior to applying, as this will be a condition of any offer made.
Travel to college expenses will be reimbursed according to Trust policy.
The pharmacy service is provided 7 days per week and the successful applicant will be expected to work weekends, bank holidays and late nights on a planned rotation.
Experience will be gained in all aspects of hospital pharmacy technical services including outpatients, inpatients, distribution and control of ward stock medicines.
Students who successfully complete the 2‑year course and associated study will be eligible to apply to register as a pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Duties and Responsibilities
Key results from the job holder
* Attend day release at an accredited course provider one day per week for two years and satisfy all requirements as instructed by academic staff, including all assignments, assessments and examinations.
* Carry out training in the duties of a pharmacy technician and fulfil those duties as required, working to the professional guidance issued by GPhC and Trust.
* Communicate in a professional manner, providing factual information about the availability of medicines to other Trust staff, external departments and patients.
Planning and Organisational Duties
* Understand and implement relevant departmental procedures.
* Suggest improvements to departmental procedures through line management where appropriate.
* Assist in the supply of medication to wards, departments and external agencies.
1. Dispense patient medications
2. Ward top‑up / fluid orders
3. Urgent requests
4. Email / telephone orders
5. Clinic supplies
6. Out‑of‑hours supplies / pre‑packing
7. Emergency boxes
8. Owing items
9. Cytotoxic drugs
* Recycle or destroy medicines returned from wards and departments where appropriate.
* Assist in the ordering, issuing and receiving of medication and maintenance of the pharmacy stock system.
* Check expiry dates and ensure safe storage of medicines within areas of responsibility, taking effective action when necessary.
* Participate in clinical trials under direct supervision, maintaining relevant trial documentation.
* Receive, interpret, dispense and hand out prescriptions in line with departmental standard operating procedures.
Communications and Key Working Relationships
* Undertake patient counselling in the pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician and in accordance with pharmacy procedures.
* Assist in audit and surveys as directed by line manager.
Responsibility for Finance
* Handle cash, prescription charges and issue relevant receipts.
Responsibility for Human Resources
* Work patterns to be set by Line Manager.
* Participate in Trust compulsory training programme and departmental appraisal system.
Responsibility for Health & Safety
* Comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all actions, including risk assessment and reporting incidents, near misses and hazards, and statutory duty of care.
* Help minimise risks through effective medicines management support and counselling.
* Report known risks to line managers and use DATIX to record and review medicines‑related incidents.
Responsibility for Teaching
* Provide effective supervision of and teaching for less experienced assistants and students.
Work Circumstances & On‑Call
* Required to work evenings, bank holidays and weekends as part of a rota pattern, as per contract of employment with the Trust.
* Other duties appropriate to the grade may be requested by Line Manager.
This advert closes on Wednesday 29 Apr 2026.
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