Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

The Methodist Church in Britain; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Structured two-year rotational trainee

Job summary

The Thorpe Practice offers a two-year pre-registration apprenticeship for trainee pharmacy technicians, rotating between community pharmacy and general practice. You will focus on dispensing, checking prescriptions, reconciling medicines, and processing requests while working toward GPhC registration.

Study takes one day a week with an online provider, with time in the workplace across two sites to complete required competencies and assessments.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Basic IT skills.
• Good written and oral communication.
• Good numeracy.
• Good team working.

Responsibilities

• Complete community pharmacy rotations covering dispensing, checking and issuing medicines, patient counselling, stock management and OTC sales for minor ailments.
• Complete general practice rotations processing prescription requests, reviewing discharge letters and reconciling medication, under supervision.
• Study one day a week towards a GPhC-accredited course, recognised qualification or approved apprenticeship pathway.
• Complete the required competencies in the workplace and local competency-based assessments.
• Uphold the GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals to obtain a declaration of competence from supervising pharmacy professionals.
• Dispense prescriptions, including FP10s, private prescriptions and monitored dosage systems, and confirm accuracy against SOPs.
• Record controlled drugs in the CD register and carry out controlled drug balance checks
• Process routine prescription requests within 48 hours and urgent requests on the same day, including rerouting to out-of-hours pharmacies
• Support monitoring of high-risk drugs, blood tests, blood pressures, weight management, recalls and reviews under established protocols
• Audit medicines storage, identify and dispose of out-of-date stock, and support monitoring of practice prescribing budgets
• Answer basic pharmaceutical queries under supervision
• Work to all SOPs, complete mandatory and statutory training, and maintain patient confidentiality

Skills

Attention to detail

Good written and oral communication

Good numeracy

Good team working

Basic IT skills

Education

GCSEs including maths, English language and science

Job description

A two-year pre-registration apprenticeship at The Thorpe Practice places a trainee pharmacy technician on rotation between community pharmacy and general practice. The work centres on dispensing and checking prescriptions, reconciling medicines and processing prescription requests while building towards GPhC registration. Study takes one day a week with an online training provider, alongside time in the workplace across two practice sites. Four GCSEs at grade C or above, including maths, English and science, are required.

What the job involves

• Complete community pharmacy rotations covering dispensing, checking and issuing medicines, patient counselling, stock management and OTC sales for minor ailments
• Complete general practice rotations processing prescription requests, reviewing discharge letters and reconciling medication, under supervision
• Study one day a week towards a GPhC-accredited course, recognised qualification or approved apprenticeship pathway
• Complete the required competencies in the workplace and local competency-based assessments
• Uphold the GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals to obtain a declaration of competence from supervising pharmacy professionals
• Dispense prescriptions, including FP10s, private prescriptions and monitored dosage systems, and confirm accuracy against SOPs
• Record controlled drugs in the CD register and carry out controlled drug balance checks
• Process routine prescription requests within 48 hours and urgent requests on the same day, including rerouting to out-of-hours pharmacies
• Support monitoring of high-risk drugs, blood tests, blood pressures, weight management, recalls and reviews under established protocols
• Audit medicines storage, identify and dispose of out-of-date stock, and support monitoring of practice prescribing budgets
• Answer basic pharmaceutical queries under supervision
• Work to all SOPs, complete mandatory and statutory training, and maintain patient confidentiality

What’s required

Qualifications

• Four GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above, including maths, English language, science and one other subject

Skills & knowledge

• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Basic IT skills
• Good written and oral communication
• Good numeracy
• Good team working

Other

• Working to deadlines in a high-pressure environment
• Meeting college or training provider deadlines
• Professional attitude and conscientiousness
• Ability to empathise with patients
• Self-motivated and committed to training
• Completing the GPhC-accredited course or apprenticeship pathway

Nice to have

• NVQ in Pharmacy Services Skill Level 2
• Previous dispensary experience in community or hospital settings
• Experience of working in general practice
• Customer service skills

What’s offered

• Structured two-year rotational training across community pharmacy and general practice