Integrated Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT) - COVID-19 in Brighton

About our Trust

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is a newly formed organisation following a merger between Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WSHFT) and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust (BSUH) on 1st April 2021. WSHFT and BSUH have been working in partnership with a shared leadership team for four years leading up to the recent merger. Our vision (Excellent care, every time - "Where better never stops") is at the heart of all that that we do - we pride ourselves in putting the compassionate care of patients first and foremost. WSHFT became the first non-specialist acute hospital trust to be awarded Outstanding in all of the CQC’s key inspection areas and BSUH became the fastest improving acute hospital trust in England and was rated Good overall and Outstanding for caring by the CQC. Moving forward together, the ambition is to continue improving and providing excellent care, every time, for patients.

The merger was a technical but important process for both WSHFT and BSUH which will ensure that the right leadership, structures, and governance are in place. Our journey has started but we have much still to learn as we work towards full merger, enabled by our Patient First ethos which shapes our values and gives structure to our improvement and performance management. Our shared sense of purpose, commitment to investing in and developing our workforce and focus on continuous improvement in the pursuit of excellent care, every time, for our patients underpins all that we do. The largest part of this journey is investing in staff and creating a vibrant and supportive organisation where successful careers flourish.

Integrated Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT)

Apprenticeships in Sussex

Are you self-motivated and enthusiastic?

Do you have excellent interpersonal and communication skills?

Do you thrive on helping people and want to support the wider healthcare team to provide excellent pharmacy services to patients in a variety of environments?

If you answered YES to these questions, then we have a job opportunity with your name on it!

An exciting opportunity for 4 Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians (PTPT’s) across the whole of Sussex is now open for applications. This Sussex wide collaborative apprenticeship will provide you with all the necessary skills and knowledge to complete the new Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Pharmacy Technicians from February 2022 which covers the General Pharmaceutical Council’s (GPhC) Initial Educational and Training Standards1 over two years, enabling successful applicants to gain a wide depth of experience across multiple pharmacy sectors to increase employability upon registration.

The pharmacy technician workforce has been recognised through various national policies and government initiatives as being professional and essential. The Pharmacy Technician workforce supports the skill mix and service transformation required to deliver the Medicines Value Programme2, NHS Long Term Plan3, Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework4 and GP Contract Five-year Framework5.

With this in mind we are delighted to be able to offer a two year job opportunity based in one of 4 localities across Sussex (West Sussex, Mid-Sussex, Brighton & Hove and East Sussex). Each locality will offer a varied and exciting training experience including, but not limited to the following sectors* in geographical locations most suited to the successful candidates. (2 candidates West Sussex, 2 candidates Mid-Sussex, 2 candidates Brighton & Hove and 4 candidates East Sussex)

• Acute hospitals – Worthing, Chichester (West) Crawley, East Grinstead & Haywards Heath (Mid), Brighton, Eastbourne & St Leonards-on-Sea (East);
• Mental Health Services
• Community Health Services
• GP practices and Sussex NHS Commissioners
• Community pharmacies

It is essential that you are able to travel across the locality to which you are assigned, throughout the 2 year training programme. Travel expenses will be refunded in accordance with the NHS Terms and Conditions Handbook6.

You must meet all of the minimum eligibility criteria as defined in the Person Specification. Applications which do not meet the minimum academic or apprenticeship funding requirements will not be shortlisted.

Due to the requirements of this demanding training experience, it is preferred that PTPTs will be employed on a full-time contract. However, part-time will be considered on a case by case basis, as long as the GPhC Initial Education and Training Standards can be met and there is no impact on educational attainment.

Our clinical and technical teams are closely integrated to provide patients across Sussex with the best care possible using innovative ideas and technology. Full educational support is provided, but you will need to be able to quickly learn new IT systems and embrace new technology to provide safe and effective care to patients in a variety of environments.

You are required to demonstrate excellent communication skills, be able to work efficiently and accurately, pay attention to detail and be able to integrate into multiple teams.

You will need to be highly committed to achieve this qualification as it requires participation and completion of a vigorous training and competency program. You will need to demonstrate excellent work/study/life balance skills and be very self-motivated.

Trainees who successfully complete the 2 year apprenticeship will be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council and practice as a Registered Pharmacy Technician and although every effort will be made to provide a substantive position at the end of the training period this cannot be guaranteed.

Your progress will be monitored by both the training provider via e-portfolio & assessment and by means of 3 monthly professional appraisals with your Educational Supervisor where you will be required to demonstrate your development against the GPhC Professional Standards for Trainee Pharmacy Technicians7.

Four days each week will be work based in one of the sectors (as defined in your individual training plan) gaining the vocational experience and completing competencies required to complete the Level 3 diploma. One day per week will be within a virtual classroom to learn the knowledge required to underpin this diploma. Your training will involve working with an assessor to develop a work-based portfolio, undertaking work based assessments and completing all assignments/projects relating to the GPhC IET Standards1, presenting evidence via e-portfolios for assessment within specified periods and completion of an end point assessment (EPA).

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to service delivery on a flexible working basis which may include weekends and evenings. Working hours will be defined and agreed at the beginning of each rotation as they may vary between each sector. You will remain under supervision for the duration of the training period but may earn a degree of autonomy determined by the supervisor and successful completion of assessment or competency standards to undertake specific tasks.

Fixed term is planned to run from February 2022 – February 2024

Salary Year 1 - £17,417 (NHS Agenda for change Band 4 Annex 21)

Salary Year 2 - £18,661 (subject to ac