Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

Transformation Unit; West of England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is offering a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship based at Southmead Hospital. This full-time 2-year fixed-term programme leads to GPhC registration.

You will rotate through pharmacy areas, gaining practical skills and completing a portfolio, supported by the Pharmacy Learning and Development Team. The entry requires GCSEs and a commitment to the training plan.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths, English and Science (and one other) at minimum Grade C/4.
• Be over 18 and have the legal right to work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship.
• Must have lived in the UK/EEA for the past 3 years.
• Self-motivated with good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Internal employees at Band 3 and above will be capped at Band 3.

Responsibilities

• Undertake the Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship programme with academic and workplace learning.
• Rotate through different areas of the pharmacy department to gain skills and experience.
• Complete a portfolio of evidence and assessments to demonstrate competence.
• Carry out tasks set by Workplace Training Supervisor and Learning and Development Team.
• Work within SOPs under supervision.
• Meet deadlines and learning outcomes of the apprenticeship.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Self-motivation

Education

GCSE passes

Job description

Main area Pharmacy Grade Band 2-3 Contract Fixed term: 2 years (Duration of the apprenticeship) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Weekend working (1 in 6) and Bank Holiday duties.) Job ref 339-CCS6183-KC

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Southmead Hospital Town Southmead Salary £25,272 - £27,476 pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 19/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 01/12/2026

Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

Band 2-3

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

Are you interested in training to become a qualified Pharmacy Technician? This is a fantastic opportunity to start your pharmacy career while earning and learning through a structured Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship, leading to registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

This is a full-time, 2-year fixed-term training programme based at Southmead Hospital, combining workplace learning with structured study. You’ll rotate through key areas of the pharmacy department—including patient services and medicines supply—developing the knowledge and practical skills needed to support patients throughout their hospital stay.

You will be supported by an experienced Pharmacy Learning and Development Team, alongside external training providers. The programme includes a mix of online learning, study days, and hand‑on experience, so you’ll need to be motivated, organised, and able to manage your own learning.

You will need to have a minimum of four GCSE passes (C/4 grade or above or equivalent) in Mathematics, English and Science and one other. You will need to be self-driven, have good communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to react to changing situations.

Internal employees within Pharmacy at Band 3 and above will be capped at Band 3.

Course start date: February 2027

Main duties of the job

• Undertake the Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship programme, completing both academic and workplace‑based learning
• Rotate through different areas of the pharmacy department to gain a broad range of skills and experience
• Complete a portfolio of evidence and assessments to demonstrate competence and knowledge
• Carry out tasks and objectives set by your Workplace Training Supervisor and the Learning and Development Team
• Work within Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under supervision
• Meet all required deadlines and learning outcomes as part of the apprenticeship programme

Please note: successful completion of all educational components within the contract period is a requirement of the role. Failure to meet these requirements may result in termination of the contract.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we are meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy

Please note to be eligible for the apprenticeship you must:

• Be over the age of 18
• Have lived in the UK/EEA for the past 3 years
• Have the legal right to work and live in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship. If you require a visa, it must allow you to work and undertake an apprenticeship. Visa's issued solely for educational or study purposes do not meet the eligibility requirements
• Not be currently working towards any other government funded training programme
• Hold GCSE Maths , English, Science and one other subject at a minimum of Grade C/4 and be able to evidence this as part of your application

Main Duties

This is a two‑year, fixed‑term rotational training post designed to enable the post holder to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours required to register as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

The post holder will be required to successfully complete an approved Pharmacy Technician training programme, incorporating both knowledge‑based learning and workplace competency assessments. Training will be delivered through a combination of formal education provided by the appointed Education Provider, online learning, supervised workplace experience and face‑to‑face teaching where required.

The post holder will undertake a range of rotational placements across pharmacy services, gaining experience in dispensing, medicines supply, procurement and stock control, ward‑based pharmacy services, medicines management and patient counselling. There may also be opportunities or requirements to undertake placements at other sites, depending on service needs and the requirements of the training programme. In addition to core rotations, the post holder may undertake shorter observational or experiential placements in specialist areas, such as pharmacy production, primary care networks (PCNs) and other relevant pharmacy settings, to broaden their understanding of pharmacy practice and patient care.

All duties will be undertaken under appropriate supervision, in accordance with Trust policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the individual's level of competence and the requirements of the training programme. Progress will be monitored and supported by a designated Workplace Training Supervisor, with overall coordination and oversight of the training programme provided by the Education and Training team. Competence will be demonstrated through workplace assessments and the completion of a portfolio of evidence, while underpinning knowledge will be assessed through academic assignments, examinations and other assessments specified by the Education Provider.

The post holder is expected to demonstrate commitment to their professional development, actively engage with all aspects of the training programme and successfully complete the required educational and workplace assessments within the specified timescales. This includes meeting academic deadlines, maintaining an up‑to‑date portfolio and demonstrating satisfactory progress throughout both years of training. Successful completion of the training programme within the two‑year fixed‑term contract is an expectation of the role. Failure to meet the required academic, competency or professional standards may result in formal review and could affect continuation of employment, in accordance with relevant Trust policies and procedures.

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

• 4 GCSE passes grade C/4 or above including Maths, English and Science (or equivalent) – (certificates to be brought to interview)

Experience

• Ability to react to changing situations required by the organisation on a daily basis and liaise with staff accordingly
• Ability to meet required deadlines for qualification and work tasks
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures and work to a high degree of accuracy
• Standard I.T. competencies in Word, PowerPoint and Excel or equivalent programs
• Organisational skills and the ability to maintain an online portfolio of work‑based experience
• Previous primary care/community pharmacy experience

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Previous primary care/community pharmacy experience

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

• Self‑motivated individual with an organised and logical approach to work and learning
• Able to deal and communicate professionally with all levels of staff, patients and stakeholders. Demonstrate understanding and empathy when required.
• Ability to deal with sensitive issues and high‑pressure situations.
• Meet the criteria to enrol onto the apprenticeship
• Staff are required to work any combination of hours between 08:00 – 19:00. Shift patterns will be allocated once appointed, and will include weekend working on a rotational basis

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we are meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e‑mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work‑related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received.

Name Grant Lock Job title Senior Technician for Education and Training Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 0117 41 42249 Additional information

Michelle Dickens - 0117 41 42249 orJulie Hammacott - 0117 41 42249

Alternatively, contact the Pharmacy Learning and Development Team: 0117 414 2249 , [e-mail]