Pre-Registration Student Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship QE & UHL

Your Office Toronto; London; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in London is seeking motivated individuals for the Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician role. This 2-year apprenticeship offers hands-on training and academic study, leading to registration as a Pharmacy Technician. Candidates must have at least 4 GCSEs including Maths and English. The position provides a unique opportunity to make a difference in patient care while receiving a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 GCSEs (grade C/4 or above), including Maths, English, and a Science subject.
• Some higher qualifications may make applicants ineligible due to apprenticeship funding rules.
• Awareness of the role of a Pharmacy Technician in a hospital setting required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a structured 2-year rotational training programme.
• Dispense and supply medicines for patients under supervision.
• Support ward-based medicines management services.

Skills

Literate and numerate

Ability to organise and manage own time

Verbal and written communication skills

Demonstrates enthusiasm and initiative

Ability to work accurately under pressure

Education

4 GCSEs including English, Maths and a core science subject

NVQ/BTEC Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for motivated, enthusiastic, and hardworking individuals to join the Pharmacy Departments at University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich as Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians. This is an excellent opportunity to begin a rewarding career in healthcare and take the first step towards becoming a registered Pharmacy Technician, a vital role in delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care. Over two years, you will undertake a structured apprenticeship programme combining academic study and workplace training, leading to the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians. On completion, you will be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

Qualifications And Eligibility

Minimum of 4 GCSEs (grade C/4 or above), including Maths, English, and a Science subject. Some higher qualifications (e.g., certain degrees) may make applicants ineligible due to apprenticeship funding rules. Applicants must have an awareness of the role of a Pharmacy Technician in a hospital setting. We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post.

Main duties of the job

What We Offer:

• Contract: Fixed term 2 years (Apprenticeship)
• Start date: February 2026
• Location: University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital

This is more than just a training programme—it's a gateway to a lifelong career in the NHS where you will make a real difference to patients every day.

As a Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician, you will take part in a rotational training programme designed to give you a broad and practical foundation in hospital pharmacy services. You will:

• Dispense and supply medicines for inpatients and specialist outpatient clinics
• Support ward-based medicines management services, ensuring patients receive the right medicines at the right time
• Gain experience in stores
• Rotate through inpatient dispensary, community outpatient placement, wards, medicines information and stores
• Work under the supervision of experienced, qualified pharmacy teams while gradually developing independence and competence
• Balance workplace learning with one study day a week and additional personal study commitments

Apply now and start your journey to becoming a Pharmacy Technician of the future!

About Us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches patients. Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events to support our aspirations:

• Improve representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream

Details

Date posted: 16 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change — Band 4

Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year. Year 1: 70% of top of Band 4. Year 2: 75% of top of Band 4.

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 2 years

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 197-UU7307

Job locations: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Road, London SE18 4QH

Job Description

Duties And Responsibilities

• Participate in a structured 2-year rotational training programme, covering inpatient and outpatient dispensary services, ward-based medicines management, and pharmacy stores
• Dispense, supply and label medicines for patients under the supervision of registered staff, ensuring accuracy and adherence to SOPs
• Support ward-based services by completing competencies in medicines management, checking stock levels, replenishing medicines, and ensuring safe and timely supply of medication to patients
• Assist with receipt, storage, issue and ordering of medicines in line with legal, professional and Trust standards
• Learn to operate pharmacy IT systems (e.g., dispensing systems, stock management systems, Omnicell) accurately and effectively
• Follow all relevant SOPs, local policies, and national legal requirements relating to medicines handling and data protection
• Maintain accurate training records and participate fully in assessments, appraisals and progress reviews
• Balance study and workplace learning, making effective use of one protected study day per week and personal study time
• Demonstrate a professional, patient-centred approach in all activities

Key Relationships

• Pharmacy Education & Training team receives guidance, supervision and progress reviews
• Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists work alongside and under their supervision during rotations
• Nursing and medical staff collaborate on wards to support medicines management and safe patient care
• Patients and carers provide a helpful, courteous service when interacting in dispensaries or on the wards

Person Specification

Essential

• 4 GCSEs or equivalent Grade 9–4 (A–C), including English, Maths and a core science subject

Desirable

• NVQ/BTEC Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Experience

• Desirable: Previous experience of Pharmacy
• Previous experience of working towards and meeting deadlines

Knowledge and Skills

• Literate and numerate
• Ability to organise and manage own time
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and initiative
• Ability to work accurately under pressure with frequent interruptions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and 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: Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Road, London SE18 4QH

Employer's website: https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/