Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician Apprentice

Bidvane; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension scheme

Flexible working options

Cycle to Work and car leasing (EVs)

Access to wellbeing tools and services

Discounts at retailers and restaurants

Learning and career development

Job summary

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is offering a two-year pre-registration pharmacy technician apprenticeship at Prospect Park Hospital. Trainees rotate through dispensary, stores, medicines information, medicines safety, wards and accuracy checking while studying for a higher education certificate.

Rotation includes mental health and community wards with a late duty rota from 10am to 6pm. Five GCSEs including Maths, English and Science are required, plus IELTS 7 for overseas candidates.

Qualifications

• Five GCSEs or equivalent at grade A-C/9-4, including Maths, English and two Science qualifications.
• IELTS 7 or equivalent for overseas candidates.

Responsibilities

• Complete the higher education pharmacy technician apprenticeship over 24 months.
• Rotate through all departmental areas on a two-year timetable, including dispensary, stores, medicines information, medicines safety, wards and accuracy checking.
• Complete ward-based learning on mental health and/or community health wards.
• Work the late duty rota, 10am to 6pm.
• Undertake the pre-registration pharmacy technician qualification from February 2027.
• Learn the practical skills a pharmacy technician needs.
• Attend departmental training sessions to meet learning objectives and develop leadership skills.
• Take part in appraisal and regular 1:1 meetings with the line manager and college tutors or assessors.

Skills

Teamwork

English proficiency

Communication

Attention to detail

Pressure management

Education

Five GCSEs incl Maths/English/Science

IELTS 7 for overseas candidates

Tools

Microsoft Office

Databases

Job description

This two-year pre-registration apprenticeship sits within the pharmacy team at Prospect Park Hospital, run by Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Trainees rotate through dispensary, stores, medicines information, medicines safety, wards and accuracy checking while studying for a higher education certificate. Placements on mental health and community wards, plus a late duty rota, set it apart from a standard daytime pharmacy role. Five GCSEs including Maths, English and Science must be held before enrolment.

What the job involves

• Complete the higher education pharmacy technician apprenticeship over 24 months
• Rotate through all departmental areas on a two-year timetable, including dispensary, stores, medicines information, medicines safety, wards and accuracy checking
• Complete ward-based learning on mental health and/or community health wards
• Work the late duty rota, 10am to 6pm
• Undertake the pre-registration pharmacy technician qualification from February 2027
• Learn the practical skills a pharmacy technician needs
• Attend departmental training sessions to meet learning objectives and develop leadership skills
• Take part in appraisal and regular 1:1 meetings with the line manager and college tutors or assessors

Qualifications

• Five GCSEs or equivalent at grade A-C/9-4, including Maths, English and two Science qualifications
• IELTS 7 or equivalent for overseas candidates

Experience

• Evidence of team or group work

Skills & knowledge

• Clear written and spoken English
• Good written communication with colleagues, healthcare professionals and service users
• Ability to work with all grades of staff and other healthcare professionals
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team
• Ability to respond to pressure and meet deadlines
• Attention to detail

Checks & eligibility

• Occupational health clearance

Other

• Computer literacy, including Microsoft packages and databases
• Organising own learning in and out of the workplace, about 10 hours a week
• Punctual and reliable
• Acting in a professional manner
• Working across multiple sites when required

Nice to have

• BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Support Staff, or NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Services
• Experience of working in a pharmacy environment
• Customer service skills

What’s offered

• 27 days' annual leave rising with service, with the option to buy and sell
• NHS pension scheme
• Flexible working options
• Cycle to Work and car leasing, including electric vehicles
• Access to wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at retailers and restaurants
• Maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Learning and career development opportunities