Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (Apprenticeship)

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship. This 27-month fixed-term role combines on-the-job learning with a BTEC Level 3 Diploma, training across Inpatients and Outpatients Dispensaries and other pharmacy areas.

The program offers structured training, support from the pharmacy team, and progression toward registration as a Pharmacy Technician, with Year 1 and Year 2 pay steps based on Band 4

Qualifications

• 4 GCSEs grade 4/C or above including Maths, English and Science or BTEC Certificate in Science or equivalent
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills
• Preparation for an Apprenticeship in Pharmacy Technician with study toward a BTEC Level 3 Diploma

Responsibilities

• Work in Inpatients and Outpatients Dispensaries, Distribution, Goods Receipt & Purchasing, Technical Services, Clinical Trials, Medicines Management, Medicines Information and Clinical Governance on a rotational basis
• Undertake practical training and underpinning knowledge courses toward becoming a registered Pharmacy Technician
• Assist Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians and support patients with medications and stock control

Skills

Pharmacy experience

Patient counselling

Dispensing

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

GCSEs including Maths English Science

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills

Tools

JAC stock control system

Job description

We are an award winning organisation providing care at two main hospital sites- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital-and a number of community-based services across London, such as sexual health and HIV clinics.

With 6,700 members of staff, we are proud to care for a diverse population of one million people. We are committed to ensuring that our workforce is just as diverse with a strong mix of skills and abilities.

Our staff are at the very heart of our organisation and we recognise the valuable contribution that each and every person working at the Trust makes. One of our Trust priorities is to be an employer of choice-a place where people want to start their career and to grow with us through continued education, professional development and support .

Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (Apprenticeship)

NHS AfC: Band 4

Main area Pharmacy Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Fixed term: 27 months (Apprenticeship) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (inclusive of weekend and late duty shifts) Job ref 289-CS-383-A

Site Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Town London Salary £28,392 - £31,157 Yr1-70% of top Band 4 & Yr2-75% of top Band 4 + inner London HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 05/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship

Please note Salary will be as follows:

Year 1: 70% of the top of Band 4 + Inner London HCAS

Year 2: 75% of the top of Band 4 + Inner London HCAS

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to join our progressive pharmacy team at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust.

This is an excellent opportunity to train for a career as a Registered Pharmacy Technician. You will study for a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians whilst you work on an Apprenticeship program, gaining experience in various areas of pharmacy within the Hospital.

This is a two year fixed term appointment to commence in February 2027.

Eligibility note:

Candidates who hold equivalent qualification at the same level or a higher-level qualification in the pharmacy field will not be considered, as these individuals are not eligible for apprenticeship funding.

Candidates must be UK residents for a minimum of three years in order satisfy apprenticeship eligibility requirements. For further details, please contact the recruiting manager.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicants will be expected to work in our Inpatients Dispensary, Outpatients Dispensary, Distribution, Goods Receipt & Purchasing, Technical Services, Clinical Trials, Medicines Management, Medicines Information and Clinical Governance sections on a rotational basis.

Therota will run across both Chelsea Hospital and West Middlesex Hospital sites.

Full practical training will be provided in-house, with a competency-based programme and you will be expected to undertake underpinning knowledge courses working towards becoming a registered Pharmacy Technician.

The successful candidates will work in an environment that will support patients with their medications, managing the supply of medicines and assisting Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, as well as manufacturing sterile products.

The appointed candidates will need to demonstrate that they are Patient Focused, have good interpersonal and communication skills, be a quick learner, keen to get involved and be committed to the training programme. Good ability to cope with the discipline of studying whilst working as part of a team throughout this busy department is essential;therefore, a professional approach is key.

Candidates must be willing and able to follow an academic and practical training course and commit up to 10 hours per week of your own time for private study.

Working for our organisation

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital- along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.

The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven’t heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job description and person specifications located under the supporting documents heading.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• 4 GCSEs Grade 4/C or above including Maths, English and Science or BTEC Certificate in Science or equivalent
• Prior knowledge/achievement of NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills

Experience

• Pharmacy experience
• Able to demonstrate completion of assigned tasks e.g. Studies undertaken resulted in qualification
• Able to work to standard operating procedure and policies
• Patient counselling and customer care
• Dispensing experience
• Pharmacy labelling and stock control systems
• Hospital pharmacy experience
• Ability to use JAC stock control system
• Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice

Skills and Knowledge

• Good oral & written communication skills
• Perform basic mathematical calculations in relation to work
• Interpret & dispense prescriptions accurately
• Ability to organise & prioritise workload
• Word processing, e-mail, accurate date entry skills
• Effectively provide advice to patients regarding medicines
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work under supervision
• Ability to supervise and participate in the training of others
• Ability to motivate self and others

Personal Qualities

• Enthusiasm for the position
• Methodical with attention to detail
• Friendly, empathetic and reliable team worker able to relate to all grades of staff
• Ability to cope well within a busy environment
• Good initiative
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Good ability to work independently
• Good ability to organise own work
• Good time management
• Satisfactory manual dexterity required for all activities
• Capable of moderate physical activity - sometimes for heavy loads
• Hard working and conscientious
• Good team player and demonstrates reliability
• Punctual
• Demonstrates awareness of self-development
• Demonstrates evidence of being able and willing to understand our Trust PROUD values

Important

• There may be some occasions when we have to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date, this will be due to a high volume of applications. You are therefore advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please check your emails regularly (and your junk folder) as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
• In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post.
• During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided.
• Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.
• We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK

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

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

• Looking for flexible work? Why not join our StaffBank .

The recruitment team are available to provide support from 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri. To contact the team please call the Trust switchboard and ask for 'Recruitment team, Human Resources Department'.