Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

NHS; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospital trust in the UK is offering a Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician position. This two-year government-funded apprenticeship focuses on developing the essential skills for pharmacy technicians, including dispensing medications and working in patient care. Candidates must hold at least four GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above, including Maths and English. Successful applicants will receive on-the-job training alongside academic education, with a strong emphasis on communication and attention to detail.

Benefits

Leadership and improvement training

Qualifications

• Must have passed 4 GCSE's at Grade C/4 or above in Maths, English, one Science, and another subject.
• Effective communication skills and methodical attention to detail are essential.

Responsibilities

• Dispense medicines safely and effectively.
• Check dispensed medicines against a prescription.
• Conduct ward pharmacy duties including counselling patients.

Skills

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Planning and prioritising workload

Education

Four GCSEs at Grade A*-C/9-4

GCSE in Biology

GCSE in Chemistry

Job description

Go back South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

The closing date is 25 November 2025

A fantastic opportunity has arisen at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to undertake a two-year training programme to develop the skills, and knowledge to become a Pharmacy Technician.

Career opportunities following qualification and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (the regulatory body for Pharmacy) include medicines optimisation roles, specialised clinical roles, aseptic preparation, staff training, clinical trials, Homecare medicines, procurement, and many more. Further training is available to help develop your career in some of these areas.

The two year programme, delivered as a Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) Level 3 apprenticeship, involves on-the-job training and one day per week of teaching delivered by an approved educational provider, working towards the completion of the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.

Entry Criteria

As a minimum you should have passed 4 GCSE's at Grade C/4 or above (or another qualification at the equivalent or higher level) in the following subject areas:

• Maths
• English or English Language (English Literature, or English Speaking and Listening will not be accepted)
• 1 x Science, preferably in Biology or Chemistry
• 1 x other subject

It is essential that you meet the criteria and grade for the qualifications as detailed above.

Main duties of the job

This apprenticeship program is government-funded. To qualify for this funding, you must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before starting the apprenticeship. This means living in the UK for most of the past three years without significant absences. In addition, you are not eligible for funding if you already hold a degree in pharmacy in the UK or any other country.

Pharmacy technicians are vital members of today's healthcare team and contribute greatly in the supply of medicines to patients, and also ensuring that patients achieve the maximum benefit from their medicines.

Core Activities:

• To dispense medicines safely and effectively
• To accurately check dispensed medicines against a prescription
• To undertake ward pharmacy duties e.g. ward top-up, order medicines for patients, counselling patients on their medicines, medicines reconciliation - a process of obtaining an accurate, up to date list of a patient's medication and comparing this to their current prescription, communicating and resolving any discrepancies between the two.
• To work on a rotational basis throughout the department.
• Attend college, meeting deadlines for assignments and completing knowledge and skills work to a high standard

Please note this post will close when we receive sufficient completed applications.

About us

Leadership and Improvement Training

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers Novice leadership and improvement training to all new staff to the Trust.

Job responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• Four GCSEs at Grade A*-C/9-4 (or another qualification at the equivalent or higher level) which must include English, Mathematics, 1 x science and 1 x other subject
• GCSEs at Grade A*-C/9-4 (or another qualification at the equivalent or higher level) in Biology and Chemistry
• Effective communication.
• Methodical with attention to detail.
• Ability to plan and prioritise own workload to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of hospital pharmacy and the role of hospital pharmacy technician
• Understand the values of the NHS and South Tees Hospitals Trust.

Experience

• Experience in a customer service role.
• Work experience in a hospital or community pharmacy

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.

Employer name

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust