Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Cambridge is seeking a Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician. The role involves working in various Pharmacy areas while studying towards a qualification. Candidates should have good communication skills and a genuine interest in Pharmacy. This is a full-time position with development opportunities and a supportive working environment.

Benefits

On-site leisure facilities

Development opportunities

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Candidates should have a genuine interest in Pharmacy and healthcare.
• Previous experience of working in a pharmacy environment is preferred.
• Good knowledge of the NHS and Trust values.

Responsibilities

• Undertake theoretical and practical study towards an approved qualification.
• Work on rotation in designated sections of the Pharmacy.
• Participate in weekend and public holiday rota services.

Skills

Good communication skills

Good computer skills

High self-motivation

Good time management

Education

Four G.C.S.E's at grade C or 4/5 including Mathematics, English Language, and two sciences

Functional Skills qualification in Maths & English Level 2

Job description

Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

The closing date is 25 September 2025

An exciting opportunity for you to work in our Pharmacy department and study towards an approved national qualification from a GPhC accredited learning provider leading to professional registration as a Pharmacy Technician.

We will be recruiting for our Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician programme.

You will work in a variety of areas of Pharmacy as part of a rotational timetable to include:-

• Inpatient & Clinical Trials dispensaries
• Aseptic areas for TPN & Cytotoxic manufacturing
• Medicines Information Stores & Distribution & Procurement
• Clinical - Ward Pharmacy Services Medicines Optimisation

Across all rotations, you will be supervised and trained in the practice of Pharmacy. You will be enrolled onto a GPhC accredited programme. It involves timely completion of a blended learning training programme, consisting of self-directed e-learning, gaining competence and confidence in providing Pharmacy services in a work based environment. You will be allocated 20% 'off the job learning' time.

You will be expected to study a minimum of 6-8 hours per week in your own time as well as the weekly allocated study sessions at work.

Main duties of the job

Undertake theoretical and practical study and work towards an approved national qualification from a GPhC-accredited training provider and achieve all criteria as per training provider requirements in a timely manner.

Participate in and contribute to planned training events, and professional development opportunities as appropriate.

Work on rotation in designated sections of the Pharmacy within Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust providing services to its patients and other service users in accordance with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures.

Participate in the weekend and public holiday rota services at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Job responsibilities

This training post is for 27 months and following successful completion of all criteria this will allow candidates to apply for registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a Pharmacy Technician.

Please note the posts will be paid at Annex 21. During the first year of your contract you will be paid at 70% of the top of Band 4. You will then be paid at 75% of the top of Band 4 for the second year.

Hours of work are 37.5 per week Monday to Friday with some flexibility outside core hours plus weekend and Bank Holiday rota work.

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 25th September 2025

Interviews are due to be held on 6th and 7th October 2025

PLEASE NOTE :

Candidates must have been a UK resident for the last three years, and have a right to work in the UK, or have indefinite leave to remain with documents that are not due to expire during the duration of the apprenticeship contract

CUH is unable to support sponsorship for this post

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

Our values and reputation for outstanding care Opportunities to experience a range of specialities Career and development opportunities Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team Research experience and opportunities Lovely location and quality of life Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Four G.C.S.E's (or UK equivalent) at grade C or 4/5 or above, including Mathematics & English Language and two sciences (preferably chemistry and biology).
• Functional Skills qualification in Maths & English Level 2 if GSCE's not achieved
• Full NVQ L2 in Pharmacy Services award, unit route or equivalent recognised competency
• Previous experience of NVQ or Competency based training.

Experience

• None specific required, but a genuine interest in Pharmacy and healthcare
• Previous experience of communicating with patients or service users
• Previous experience of working in a pharmacy environment
• Previous experience of working in a UK-based pharmacy environment

Knowledge

• Good knowledge of the NHS
• Good knowledge of the Trust
• Knowledge of the role of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Knowledge of pharmacy technician career pathways
• A strong understanding of the role of a pharmacy technician in the U.K
• Knowledge of the Trust values
• Knowledge of the professional leadership body and its role
• Knowledge of professionalism

Skills

• Good communication skills towards Pharmacy team members and service users (both verbal & written)
• Good computer skills and IT knowledge
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• High level of self-motivation & commitment in order to achieve timely completion of the qualification
• Good time management skills and ability to prioritise tasks in order to meet set deadlines
• Ability to demonstrate a flexible approach to support the Pharmacy Department's service needs as required
• Positive attitude towards personal /self-development
• Be reliable, supportive and reflective
• Able to work calmly and efficiently under pressure
• Able to support the learning of others.
• Able to work in a busy environment

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.

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.

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust