Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is offering an exciting apprenticeship opportunity for a Pharmacy Technician based in Wakefield. This 2-year fixed term apprenticeship will provide essential skills and knowledge for registration as a Pharmacy Technician upon completion. Candidates must have 4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Maths, English, and Science. The starting salary is NHS Band 3 equivalent £24,937 depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Must be willing to complete Level 3 Diploma.
• Ability to register with GPhC on completion of training.
• A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years.
• Previous experience of working in a hospital/community pharmacy.

Responsibilities

• Train to be a registered Pharmacy Technician over a 2-year period.
• Dispense clinically validated prescriptions accurately.
• Participate in the full range of pharmaceutical services.
• Maintain accurate records and communicate effectively with service users.

Skills

Organised

Self-motivated

Team player

Good communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

4 GCSEs Grade 4 or above

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Overview

Go back South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

The closing date is 29 September 2025

Are you interested in becoming a Pharmacy Technician?

Hi, I’m Sarah and have worked as part of the trust wide pharmacy team for the last 10 years. We are a close-knit, supportive team and that’s what makes it a great place to work. We all care about our team and the people we support both in hospital and in community.

If you like the idea of working in this environment, we have an exciting apprenticeship opportunity for you to join us. The post is based at Fieldhead Hospital Pharmacy in Wakefield, with visits to our sites in Barnsley, Dewsbury, Halifax and Huddersfield.

The successful candidate will undertake a 2-year fixed term, level 3 apprenticeship contract giving them an opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge to register as a Pharmacy Technician, on successful completion of the course.

Candidates need to possess a minimum of 4 GCSEs or equivalent at grade 4 (grade C) or above, including Maths, English and Science.

The starting salary for this post is NHS Band 3 equivalent £24,937 dependant on previous NHS service.

If this sounds like an opportunity for you to pursue a career in Pharmacy, we look forward to receiving your application.

If you would like more details or to come for an informal visit, please contact:

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we’re accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we’re run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve the right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

Train to be a registered Pharmacy Technician over a 2-year period undertaking Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship Standard level 3. This includes competency-based training, assessment in the workplace and studying the underpinning knowledge requirements through an accredited training provider, to gain the Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians allowing registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

KEY RESULT AREAS:

The postholder will:

Work as part of the Trust wide pharmacy team.

Participate in the full range of pharmaceutical services at the Trust.

Contribute to the smooth running of the department, including where necessary cover for other staff.

• Dispense clinically validated prescriptions, accurately and perform a 3-way check on the items prior to placing on the bench for a final accuracy check.
• Issue medication against a stock order/picking list.
• Involvement in efficient stock control and stock management systems for the dispensary, wards, and departments, including stocktaking.
• Assist in the ordering process for medicines and consumables.
• Involvement in stock discrepancies and shortages, liaising with colleagues to help rectify.
• Reception duties including answering the phone and hatch in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate records including the use of computer equipment.
• Communicate effectively with service users, visitors, colleagues, other health professionals and external suppliers.
• Work at other localities, for training purposes when necessary.
• Demonstrate your role to other staff, as appropriate.
• Maintain safe systems of work, including fire safety, department, and Trust safety policies.
• Follow standard operating procedures.
• Fully participate in the learning agreement including any learning and study experiences offered.
• Promote the professional image of Pharmacy, both within the Trust and when studying with the learning provider.
• Upon completion of the course and training scheme be eligible for registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties that fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.

KEY RESULT AREAS

The Apprentice will progress to the second year on successful completion of the first year. This placement is subject to a learning agreement which sets out the terms and conditions of this placement.

The Apprentice will undertake the necessary training to complete the Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship Standard Level 3 with the support of an accredited training provider via a blended learning approach. Following this, the apprentice will be able to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

TRUST VALUES

The Trust is committed to ensuring the highest standards of care and treatment and expects that all staff treat people e.g., service users, their carers, relatives, friends, colleagues, visitors etc, with dignity and respect always. The post holder must at all times act in accordance with the Trust’s Values:

We put the person first and in the centre.

We know that families and carers matter.

We are respectful, honest, open, and transparent.

We improve and aim to be outstanding.

We are relevant for today and ready for tomorrow.

SAFEGUARDING

Report any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of children, adults service users, members of their families etc, in accordance with Trust Policy. Prevent and respond appropriately to abuse and understand own role in this by undertaking Safeguarding training.

TRUST POLICIES AND COMMITMENTS (to be read in line with the relevant Trust Policy)

All staff employed by the Trust must comply with the Trusts policies and procedures, undertake appropriate training required for their role and commit to:

Ensure they are aware of the Whistleblowing Policy and how they raise concerns.

Maintain confidentiality, in line with the Trusts Confidentiality Policy and Code of Conduct.

Understand their personal responsibilities with regards to data quality for any information which they create, use or process in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Trust Data Protection Policy.

Comply with the provisions of The Trusts Health and Safety Policy and Protocol. Ensuring their own safety and that of colleagues, service users and visitors. Know the action to be taken in the event of a fire and must undertake fire training annually.

Receive supervision in line with the Trusts Supervision Policy and an annual Appraisal in line with the Trusts Appraisal Policy, during which mandatory, role specific and personal development needs should be identified and agreed.

Understand their responsibilities under the Trusts Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy and ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the policy.

Recognise, respect, and support the equality diversity of staff, colleagues, service users, carers and the public. Contribute to a working environment which promotes and responds positively to difference and diversity.

Ensure they carry out their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18 years, as issued under Section 11 of The Children Act 2004, by being familiar with and adhering to Trust safeguarding policies and participating in relevant training.

Comply with their professional responsibilities to develop their practice and deliver care through a Clinical Governance framework (i.e., CPD, Audit, Supervision);

Demonstrate, through practice and practical understanding, the importance of the continual development of individual, team, and service wide quality improvement.

Abide by relevant codes of professional practice, with the organisation taking action when codes of conduct are breached.

Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service/organisation, whilst working within a culture of progressive employment practices and commitment to the Investors in People (IiP) Standards.

Adhere to the Trusts smoke free policies, which prohibits smoking anywhere on Trust grounds.

Being socially responsible by complying with measures that support the Trust in reducing or offsetting our environmental impact.

Identify and report risks, hazards, incidents, accidents and near misses promptly.

In addition to the Trusts own responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance, for your safety, ALL staff (and contractors) are responsible for ensuring their work adheres to this Code in the delivery of safe patient care.

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the band as directed. The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification

Training

• Must be willing to complete Level 3 Diploma.
• Able to register with GPhC on completion of training.

Physical Attributes

• A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post.

Personal Attributes

• Committed to work/study.
• Organised.
• Self-motivated.
• Team player.
• Aware of, and able to work within own limitations. Seeks help/advice when needed.
• Flexible and adaptable.

Qualifications

• 4 GCSEs Grade 4 or above to include Maths, English and Science.
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services.

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Work In a professional manner.
• Ability to work accurately.
• Good organisational skills for self and tasks.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Knowledge of Pharmacy services.
• Awareness of health and safety issues.
• Analytical skills.

Experience

• Previous experience of working in a hospital / 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 West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust