Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician

Woodworker's Journal Magazine; Southampton; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Southampton is offering a 2-year fixed-term rotational training position to become a registered Pharmacy Technician. The role involves gaining experience in various pharmacy services such as dispensing, medicines supply, and procurement. The candidate will work under supervision while completing the BTEC Level 3 Diploma to enable GPhC registration. This opportunity also includes extensive training and benefits like annual leave and NHS pension enrolment.

Benefits

Full training and a range of courses

27 to 33 days holiday depending on service

Automatic enrolment into NHS Pension Scheme

Access to continuous professional development

Occupational Health support

NHS discounts in over 200 stores

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 GCSEs including English, Maths, and Science.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Good communication skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Undertake BTEC Level 3 Diploma for Pharmacy Technicians.
• Work on a rotational basis to gain competencies.
• Report to section managers for supervisory responsibilities.

Skills

Good verbal and written communication skills

Basic keyboard/computer skills

Education

Minimum 4 GCSEs grades C/4 and above including English, Maths and Science

NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Job Summary

A 2‑year fixed‑term rotational training post to learn and put into practice the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). To rotate through pharmacy services delivered by the organisations of the partnership, including the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SCAS) Medicines Packing Unit (MPU), Medicines Governance, Integrated Urgent Care/111 (IUC/111), a Community Pharmacy placement and Hospital Pharmacy experience. To successfully complete the Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians to enable registration with the GPhC, delivered by formal education and workplace training with an Educational Supervisor. The post holder will undertake, on a rotational basis across the SCAS and external sites, a wide range of duties including SCAS medicines packing unit, 999‑medicines governance and audit, dispensing, medicines supply, procurement and stock control, ward‑based services, medicines management, medicines optimisation and IUC/111.

Application Interview Date

Interviews will be taking place on Thursday 8th January 2026 only. Please only apply if you are able to attend an interview on this date.

Main Duties

To undertake, on a rotational basis across the SCAS and external sites, a wide range of duties which includes SCAS medicines packing unit, 999‑medicines governance and audit, dispensing, medicines supply, procurement and stock control, ward‑based services, medicines management, medicines optimisation and IUC/111. To undertake, on a rotational basis, a range of smaller taster placements deemed appropriate to provide exposure and experience relevant to pharmacy practice (e.g. care homes, pharmacy production etc.). All duties carried out by the Integrated Pre‑Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician will be under direct supervision and operating within Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This is a fixed‑term post of 2 years for the period of training only. The post holder will need to demonstrate commitment to the two‑year training programme; there is no guarantee that candidates who do not successfully complete either year of training within the allotted timeframes will be retained to complete their studies. There is also no guarantee that successful candidates will be offered employment by any organisation within the Partnership at the end of the fixed‑term contract and once qualified and registered as a Pharmacy Technician.

Benefits we offer

• Full training and a range of courses which you can book locally.
• Holiday entitlement of 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10 years' service, plus an additional 8 days bank holiday (pro rata for part time).
• Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
• Access to continual professional development within SCAS and the wider NHS.
• Occupational Health support and direct access to our Employee Assistance Programme as well as our own Health and Wellbeing Team.
• NHS Discounts in over 200+ stores saving money on holidays, days out, car insurance, restaurants, clothing and much more.
• Ability to join our staff networking groups (as a member, ally or just for interest).

Corporate Induction

It’s really important for us to ensure you have the best onboarding experience which allows you to feel a sense of belonging from the start. To help with this, we will book your Corporate Induction as soon as we possibly can (depending on availability). All new starters need to attend our Corporate Induction in person, this is held over one and a half days from our educational centres based in: Newbury (Berkshire), Bicester (Oxfordshire) or Whiteley (Hampshire). More specific details will be sent to you once your start date has been confirmed. Please note — depending on your role additional training may be required following on from your corporate induction.

Details

Date posted: 19 December 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year (Annex 21: 70% Top end Band 4 year 1 and 75% top end Band 4 year 2)
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 24 months
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 195‑25‑PRFT‑REN
Job locations: Pharmacy Department, LPU, Unit H3, Adanac Drive, Adanac North, Southampton, SO16 0BT

Job Responsibilities

Key Result Areas & Performance Indicators: To undertake the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians Qualification. Attend college virtually to complete the virtual guided learning as well as workplace training within the partnership. Work on a rotational basis, gaining competencies and experience as defined by the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians Qualification. A practice/clinical supervisor will be allocated for each rotation; overall, the education supervisor will manage the training programme. Competence will be assessed through the completion of a portfolio of evidence; knowledge will be assessed through completion of marked assignments. There is potential that an end‑point assessment will also be required. It is a contractual requirement that the post holder completes all the educational activities within the period of the contract – failure to do so could lead to termination of the contract. The post holder will report to the section managers for supervisory responsibilities, and these will change according to the rota.

Under the Supervision of a Pharmacy Technician, you will

• Agree learning objectives, collect evidence, and be assessed by your assessor/expert witness in each rotation according to the training plan.
• Attend college once weekly and take responsibility to develop yourself in becoming competent in the required knowledge and skills.
• Build your portfolio and complete all work for underpinning knowledge course in your own time.
• Collect evidence and prepare for assessments during work time.
• Undertake training on a rotational basis, in a wide range of duties which includes dispensing for inpatients and outpatients; supply of medicines to wards and departments; procurement and receipt of stock from suppliers and stock maintenance, and medicines optimisation.

Working conditions

The post holder will be required to visit external locations across the Partnership.

Person Specification – Essential

• Minimum 4 GCSEs grades C/4 and above. Must include English, Maths and Science.
• Basic keyboard/computer skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.

Person Specification – Desirable

• NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services.
• Work experience in hospital/community/ambulance pharmacy.
• Customer service.

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 details

Employer name: South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Pharmacy Department, LPU, Unit H3, Adanac Drive, Adanac North, Southampton, SO16 0BT
Employer's website: https://scasjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)