Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

Barnsley Healthcare Federation; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnsley Healthcare Federation is offering a fixed-term 24‑month apprenticeship for a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician. You will rotate across GP practices and community pharmacy, under supervision, gaining hands‑on experience while working toward a Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Technology.

The programme includes day-release study at Bradford College, with entry requirements of GCSEs and a portfolio demonstrating competency aligned with NHS standards.

Qualifications

• Four GCSEs including Maths, English and Science.
• Enrolment in BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Principles and Practice.
• Commitment to NHS apprenticeship and registration standards.

Responsibilities

• Support safe preparation and dispensing of medicines in Community Pharmacy and Primary Care.
• Maintain accurate patient medication records and provide counselling.
• Assist medicines reconciliation and stock management under supervision.
• Collaborate with pharmacists and technicians to ensure safe, efficient service.
• Complete portfolio evidence to meet apprenticeship requirements.

Skills

Strong teamwork

Effective communication

Professionalism & discretion

Attention to detail

Education

BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Tech

GCSEs incl Maths, English, Science

Tools

Dispensing system

Job description

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated andenthusiastic individual to join our Primary Care Network (PCN)pharmacy team as a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician. This is a fixed-term 24 month apprenticeship.

Throughout the programme, you will gain hands-on experienceacross both primary care (GP practices) and community pharmacy, working underthe supervision of experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The roleinvolves weekly rotations between settings, giving you broad exposure todifferent aspects of pharmacy practice

Working towards a BTECLevel 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians,delivered through day release study at Bradford College. The course includesvirtual classroom teaching led by college tutors and experienced healthcareprofessionals from the field.

Applicants must meet the minimum entry requirement of fourGCSEs (grade 4/C or above) or equivalent, including Maths, English, andScience. You will also be expected to complete a portfolio of evidence todemonstrate competency in line with the apprenticeship and registrationstandards.

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will beeligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council as aqualified Pharmacy Technician.

The role commences in February 2027, subjectto college placement confirmation and satisfactory completion of pre-employmentchecks in order to comply with the NHS Employment Check Standards.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

Role Overview

Under the guidance of registered Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians and as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician Apprentices will support the safe preparation and supply of medicines to meet the needs of patients in both Community Pharmacy and Primary Care settings.

Throughout the placement, you will be expected to demonstrate a high standard of professionalism showing respect, discretion, and confidentiality in all aspects of your work. You will contribute positively to team dynamics, maintain a safe working environment, and play an active role in supporting patient safety, particularly through the accurate preparation and dispensing of medicines.

You should be hardworking, reliable, and a strong team player with good interpersonal skills. Effective communication is vital, as is the ability to recognise and work within the boundaries of your current competence and training.

This role is offered on a fixed-term contract for 24 months to support completion of the apprenticeship training programme. The fixed-term status will be reviewed in line with organisational policy and relevant employment legislation.

To be eligible for this apprenticeship, applicants must have been a resident of the UK, EU, or EEA for at least the last three years.

The training post is salaried at 70% of the top of Band 4 in Year 1, rising to 75% in Year 2, in line with Annex 21 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service.

About us

About us

Barnsley has established one super Primary Care Network ofover 250,000 patients which includes all of GP practices across Barnsley. Thisis supported by six Neighbourhood Networks building on our successful andexisting model of neighbourhood working; this enables us to maintain and focuson the specific needs of each local area whilst allowing integration at aborough wide level.

Working within the Primary Care Network you will benefitfrom having a large team of peers to collaborate and learn from, as well asexperiencing the benefits of having ownership of the role within your smallpractice setting.

Job responsibilities

CommunityPharmacy responsibilities:

Workunder the direct supervision of a registered pharmacy professional and liaiseeffectively with other members of the pharmacy team.

Consistentlyadhere to all Standard Operating Procedures in the pharmacy setting.

Gaina thorough understanding of Medicines Optimisation and the valuable rolePharmacy Technicians play in delivering Community Pharmacy services throughdirect patient interaction.

Assistthe Pharmacist in the retrieval and handling of electronic prescriptions,following SOP guidelines.

Receiveprescriptions, verify their legality and validity, and guide patients incompleting relevant declarations.

Usethe pharmacys dispensing system to maintain accurate Patient MedicationRecords and generate labels.

Dispensea range of prescriptions, including NHS, private prescriptions, andmonitored dosage systems, ensuring accuracy in line with communitypharmacy SOPs.

Handout medications and provide clear patient counselling on appropriate medicineusage.

Safelymanage the disposal of returned or unwanted medicines in compliance withdisposal protocols.

Recordcontrolled drugs in the CD register and perform regular balance checksaccording to legal and procedural requirements.

Managestock processes including ordering, receiving, storing, and maintaininginventory in line with SOPs.

Supportthe Pharmacist in conducting medicines reconciliation, ensuring accurate andup-to-date patient medication records, particularly during caretransitionsliaising with GP practices where necessary.

Conductover-the-counter sales and offer advice for common minor ailments undersupervision.

Assistthe Pharmacist in delivering key pharmacy services such as the Medicines UseReview, New Medicines Service , and Community PharmacistConsultation Service.

Contributeto the provision of commissioned enhanced services e.g., smoking cessationsupport, under the supervision of the Pharmacist or trained pharmacy staff.

Communicateeffectively with General Practice teams to resolve prescription-related queriesand support seamless patient care.

GeneralPractice Responsibilities

Workunder the direct supervision of a registered pharmacy professional and liaiseeffectively with other members of the practice team.

AlwaysAdhere to all relevant Standard Operating Procedures within theworkplace.

Gainan understanding of Medicines Optimisation and the role of Pharmacy Techniciansin General Practice, including working in both face-to-face and telephone-basedpatient interactions.

Usethe clinical IT system to accurately document consultations, conduct searches,and communicate via tasks with other healthcare professionals.

Processprescription requests from patients, care home staff, community pharmacists,and GPs within 48 hours for routine prescriptions and on the same day forurgent requests. This may include directing prescriptions to out-of-hourspharmacies where necessary.

Developknowledge and support the use of practice templates for monitoring high-riskmedication.

Learnto manage blood test monitoring, recalls, and reviews in line with establishedprotocols, involving appropriate clinicians as needed.

Reviewhospital discharge summaries and clinical letters to reconcile medications,identify discrepancies, and elevate concerns to the pharmacist or designatedGP under supervision.

Contributeto the effective management of prescribing budgets through regular audits, dataanalysis, and by supporting the implementation of cost-effective prescribing strategies remaining aware of current incentive targets.

Assistpharmacists and clinical staff with annual medication reviews e.g. forasthma, ensuring patients are prescribed the most cost-effective formularyitems and demonstrate correct usage e.g. inhaler technique, undersupervision.

Performregular audits of medicine storage to ensure compliance with local and nationalguidelines, reporting any issues to the appropriate manager.

Ensureregular checking of in-practice medicines, identifying and appropriatelydisposing of expired stock in accordance with SOPs.

Promotemedicines waste reduction through the use of appropriate resources and patienteducation.

Carryout patient interventions both face-to-face and via telephone as directed bythe pharmacist, and ensure all consultations are properly documented andreported to the relevant clinician.

Undertakeprescribing audits to assess practice or Primary Care Network prescribingpatterns, benchmark against national and local targets, and identify areas forimprovement.

Supportprescription clerks by assisting with queries related to medication requests.

Contributeto the ongoing development and safety of the prescription process by resolvingqueries and ensuring prescriptions are issued within agreed timelines, inc