Pre-Registration Student Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the pharmacy workforce at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust as a pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician. This fixed-term position offers a 2-year training program leading to a BTEC Level 3 Diploma. Gain hands-on experience in various pharmacy settings while developing essential skills. Ideal for motivated individuals eager to start their career in pharmacy, with a supportive training team guiding you through the process.

Qualifications

• Must have at least 4 GCSEs including Maths and English at grade 4 or C or above.
• NVQ/BTEC Level 2 in Pharmacy Services required.

Responsibilities

• Train as a pharmacy technician under supervision.
• Participate in rotations providing services in dispensary and wards.
• Accurately dispense prescriptions and support medicines management.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Customer Care

Numeracy

Organization

Education

GCSEs including Maths and English

NVQ/BTEC Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

We are looking for highly motivated, enthusiastic, and hardworking individuals to join the pharmacy workforce at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The Pharmacy departments across Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust have vacancies for pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians. This is an excellent opportunity to take the first step toward becoming a registered pharmacy technician.

We invite you to start gaining experience and providing essential pharmacy services. This is a fixed-term post for 2 years, starting the qualification in September 2025.

Our Pre-registration Pharmacy Technician Apprentices undertake a 2-year training programme to study towards the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians, under the supervision and support of our pharmacy training team. The qualification includes a mix of studying and demonstrating competence in the workplace. One day a week is dedicated to study, but a commitment to studying in your own time is required.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post.

Main duties of the job

Upon successful completion of the qualification, you will qualify as a Pharmacy Technician and be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council. The role involves participation in rotations including inpatient, dispensary, outpatient pharmacy, ward-based medicines management, and stores/procurement.

The candidates should demonstrate patient focus, good interpersonal and communication skills, be quick learners, eager to get involved, and committed to the training. The ability to balance studying and teamwork in a busy environment is essential; professionalism is key.

Applicants must have at least 4 GCSEs including Maths and English at grade 4 or C or above, and 1 Science subject at grade 4 or C. Some existing qualifications may affect eligibility due to funding rules. A clear understanding of the role of a Hospital Pharmacy Technician is expected.

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. We foster a culture of engagement through initiatives focused on representation, widening access, improving staff experience, and promoting EDI literacy.

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

• Train as a pharmacy technician to undertake technical work under supervision.
• Participate in rotations providing services in dispensary, distribution, and wards.
• This is a fixed-term 2-year training post with no guarantee of employment upon completion or failure.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Training

• Undertake the BTEC Level 3 Diploma, including studying and demonstrating workplace competence.
• Occasional extra hours and outside study may be required.
• Develop teamwork, communication, and customer care skills.
• Proactively seek learning opportunities and meet deadlines.

Dispensary

• Accurately dispense prescriptions, including inputting patient details and assembling medication.
• Handle drug charts and prescriptions, answer queries, and investigate stock discrepancies.
• Perform stock checks and issue prescriptions and controlled drugs to ward staff.
• Learn to check final dispensing accuracy.

Ward-based pharmacy duties

• Work on wards performing pharmacy-related duties, supporting medicines management, reducing wastage, and ensuring proper stock levels.
• Complete training for ward-level work, identify new patients, and perform medicines reconciliation.
• Communicate effectively with healthcare and pharmacy teams.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

• 4 GCSEs (Grade 9-4 or A*-C), including science, English, and Math.
• NVQ/BTEC Level 2 in Pharmacy Services.

Experience

• Previous pharmacy experience and meeting deadlines.

Knowledge and Skills

• Literate, numerate, organized, and good communicator.
• Enthusiastic, proactive, and able to work accurately under pressure.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post requires a DBS check due to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Salary: £26,530 to £29,114 annually, with progression from 70% to 75% of Band 4 over two years.