Apprentice Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

Royal Devon University Healthcare Nhs Foundation Trust; North Tawton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

CPD support

Flexible working

Occupational health

Job summary

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is offering a fixed-term apprenticeship to train as a Pharmacy Technician. The programme includes practical learning in dispensary, aseptic services, procurement, distribution and medicines management, culminating in registration with the GPhC.

Training consists of the nationally recognised BTEC Level 3 Diploma, delivered virtually by Bradford College alongside on-the-job rotations and a dedicated supervisor to monitor progress.

Qualifications

• Apprentice Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians essential to the Pharmacy team.
• Complete the nationally recognised BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.
• Bradford College provides virtual guided learning alongside workplace training.

Responsibilities

• Learn and perform a wide range of pharmacy duties in dispensary, aseptic/technical services, procurement, distribution and medicines management.
• Carry out final accuracy checking of a range of prescriptions.
• Receive and issue prescriptions using an electronic prescribing system.
• Contribute to stock control, procurement and medicines optimisation.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Written communication

Education

BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Technicians

Job description

Job summary

This is a fixed-term apprenticeship during which the post holder will learn and put into practice the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

The post holder will undertake a wide range of duties, providing a safe and effective pharmacy service in the following areas - dispensary, aseptic/technical services, procurement, distribution and medicines management/optimisation. They will also carry out the final accuracy checking of a range of prescriptions.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Job responsibilities

The role is based in the Pharmacy Department at North Devon District Hospital, it is an excellent opportunity to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to become a fully qualified and registered Pharmacy Technician.

Apprentice Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians are essential to the continuing development of the Pharmacy team, and applications are invited from enthusiastic, hard-working, self-motivated individuals with good written and verbal communication skills.

The role requires the post holder to complete the nationally recognised BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians qualification. This will be achieved through virtual guided learning provided by Bradford College, as well as workplace training.

A practice supervisor will be allocated for each workplace rotation and overall, the educational supervisor will manage the training programme.

Whilst rotating through the Pharmacy department, the post holder will learn a variety of skills and take on duties including, but not limited to:

• Receiving and issuing prescriptions, using an electronic prescribing system.
• Dispensing and carrying out an accuracy check on a variety of prescriptions.
• Contributing to the provision of systemic anti-cancer therapies.
• Medicine stock control and supply.
• Medicine procurement and receipt, including the management of discrepancies.
• Ward based medicines management and optimisation.
• Provision of excellent customer care incorporating patient confidentiality.

Competence will be assessed through the completion of a portfolio of evidence and knowledge will be assessed through completion of marked assignments and multiple-choice questions.

It is a contractual requirement that the post holder completes all of the educational activities within the period of the contract - failure to do so could lead to termination of the contract.

Please note, the salary for the role will be as follows - Year 1 - £25,272 (Band 2), Year 2 - £25,760 (Band 3) per annum pro rata

This advert is recruiting to the February 2027 cohort, start date TBC (preliminary information suggests start date will likely be 22/02/2027).

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, to include one day per week virtual guided learning. The Pharmacy operates 7 days a week and the post holder will therefore be required to work some weekends as part of their contracted hours. The post holder will be expected to undertake occasional late night and bank holiday hours as requested.

Interview Date: 30th October 2026

For further information please contact: Leah Sheath, Lead Pharmacy Technician (Education & Training), on 01271 335994 or via email at [e-mail]

This is a fixed term contract for 27 months. For current NHS employees this post could be a secondment opportunity.

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.