Apprentice Pharmacy Assistant

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the region is seeking an Apprentice Pharmacy Assistant to work in mental health inpatient settings. The role involves patient care, stock management, and skills development through a Level 2 apprenticeship. The ideal candidate will have GCSEs in English and Maths and be self-motivated with strong communication skills. This position offers flexible hours and no weekend commitments.

Qualifications

• Interest in pharmacy and patient care.
• Must be self-motivated with excellent communication skills.
• Willingness to undertake a Level 2 apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

• Monitor fridge and ambient temperatures in the dispensary.
• Compile stock orders and transmit them to the Acute Trust.
• Check and manage expired stock following Trust procedures.
• Learn skills related to the dispensing of medication.

Skills

Computer literate/Basic IT skills

Good communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Education

GCSE English and Maths at Grade C / 4 or above

Job description

Apprentice Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 10 December 2025

This role involves working within a mental health inpatient setting. For safeguarding reasons, applicants must be 18 years or older.

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, hard working and patient-focused person with an interest in pharmacy to train as a Pharmacy Support Worker. The successful applicant will work as part of our clinical inpatient team of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Support Workers to deliver excellent patient care and ensure safe and effective medicines management processes within the service. You should be self-motivated with excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a willingness to undertake a Level 2 apprenticeship the fixed term employment contract.

As a purely clinical service there is no pharmacy-based dispensary commitment, bank holiday or weekend working. We can also offer flexible working hours and are committed to improving working lives.

The Pharmacy Service within Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust is a well-established team with a wealth of expertise in both Mental Health and Community services and continues to provide high quality clinical input into all aspects of the health provision delivered by the organisation. We are a supportive team committed to the education and development of our expanding service.

Please note: This post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Main duties of the job

• To monitor fridge and ambient temperatures in the dispensary according to procedure, reporting discrepancies and taking remedial action immediately.
• To develop skills in compiling stock orders ensuring they are transmitted to the Acute Trust in a timely manner.
• To ensure all stock is received, delivered and checked into the ward in accordance with Trust procedure and is placed in the correct stock cupboards.
• To monitor for expired stock and ensure it is disposed of in accordance with Trust procedure.
• To work with the Pharmacy Technicians to learn how to review and alter stock lists.
• To learn how to check suitability for re-use of any unwanted stock items and process according to audit procedures.
• To develop skills in electronic systems to ensure that stock lists are updated and maintained and to understand the retention period for paper records.
• To learn and develop skills in using the Ascribe pharmacy medicines management computer/labelling system.
• To learn the skills required to accurately undertake the dispensing of medication.
• To learn the skills required in ensuring that all computer transactions relating to medication and patient details are accurate.
• Undergo a dispensing validation assessment.
• To develop a good working knowledge of which medicines are stocked, their forms and strengths to minimise the risk of selection errors.

About us

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

Job responsibilities

Please be advised if you are a Non-UK National applicant you must meet the eligibility criteria and fulfil the settlement requirements of the apprenticeship course funding*. Your settlement status will need to be verified as eligible for funding by the relevant apprenticeship provider for you to formally enrol on the course.

The training provider will require evidence of:

• Being a full time ordinary** resident in the UK for 3 consecutive years or more prior to the course start date (unless otherwise exempt from this rule for example you hold refugee status use the link below to see full list of exemptions)
• Residency to live and work in the UK for at least 1 year from the apprenticeship start date and must cover the entire course duration including the EPA period.

We advise that you check the UK Govt - Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria for more details on your visas eligibility to undertake an apprenticeship course prior to applying. Please be advised that Sponsorship cannot be offered for any apprenticeship roles.

*We will use Visa and work history information provided on the application to determine a candidates eligibility for the funding. Failure to provide the correct information is the responsibility of the candidate. **Residency for the purposes of education does not qualify.

For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Computer literate/Basic IT skills
• Knowledge of pharmacy services

Personal

• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• Maintains professionalism in behaviour and appearance
• Good thinking ,reasoning and problem solving skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Avoids over-confidence and seeks advice when necessary
• Able to accept guidance and constructive criticism
• Ability to be flexible in approach to work and embrace new work practices
• Self -motivated /ability to take responsibility for completion of further training

other

• Interact tactfully and sensitively with patients and carers.
• Ability to work calmly in challenging, emotive situations
• Uphold Trust values
• Willingness and consent to apply for enhanced DBS check

Education

• GCSE English and Maths at Grade C / 4 or above

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 name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust