Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (Apprenticeship): Hove

NHS; Hove; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust is offering a two-year fixed-term apprenticeship for Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians in Sussex. The role involves working in both hospital and community pharmacies under supervision. Eligible candidates must have at least four GCSEs, including Maths and English, and a passion for patient care. This position provides hands-on experience and training towards becoming a qualified Pharmacy Technician.

Qualifications

• Must have four GCSEs including Maths and English.
• Eligible for Level 3 Apprenticeship at 16 or over.
• Level 2 Pharmacy services qualification may be required.

Responsibilities

• Receive and issue prescriptions using an electronic system.
• Dispense medicines and manage stock control.
• Provide customer care while maintaining patient confidentiality.

Skills

Customer care

Medicine management

Stock control

Attention to detail

Education

Four GCSEs at grade C/4 or above

Level 2 functional skills in Maths and English

Tools

Microsoft Office

Healthcare IT systems

Job description

Job Summary

Join an Award-Winning Team

Are you interested in earning a wage whilst training to achieve a nationally recognised qualification? An exciting opportunity is available for 2 x Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician(s) (PTPTs) to join the pharmacy team at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust based at either Millview Hospital in Hove or the Woodlands Centre, Hastings.

This is a two year fixed‑term apprenticeship post. During the programme, you will gain hands‑on experience across our mental health hospitals and also community and/or hospital pharmacy settings, working under the supervision of experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The role involves rotations between settings, giving you broad exposure to different aspects of pharmacy practice.

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a qualified Pharmacy Technician.

Candidates must have a minimum of 4 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above and must include Maths, English Language, ONE Science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics) and one other GCSE OR have a level 2 Pharmacy services qualification and be able to successfully complete a screening assessment with the education provider. Candidates must also meet the eligibility criteria for UK Apprenticeships.

The role commences in February 2026, subject to satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks in order to comply with the NHS Employment Check Standards.

Responsibilities

The role is based in the Woodlands Centre in Hastings or Millview Hospital in Hove. It is an excellent opportunity to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to become a fully qualified and registered Pharmacy Technician. While rotating through our mental health sites and local acute hospital or community pharmacy, the post holder will learn a variety of skills and take on duties including, but not limited to:

• Receiving and issuing prescriptions, using an electronic prescribing system.
• Dispensing and carrying out an accuracy check on a variety of prescriptions.
• Medicine stock control and supply.
• Medicine procurement and receipt, including the management of discrepancies.
• Ward‑based medicines management and optimisation.
• Provision of excellent customer care incorporating patient confidentiality.

It is essential that you can travel across the Sussex locality, throughout the 2‑year training programme.

Qualifications & Requirements

Essential:

• Four GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above which must include English Language/Literature, Mathematics and one science.
• Eligible for Level 3 Apprenticeship: aged 16 or over; resident in the UK/EU for the last 3 years and have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the apprenticeship; must hold a level 2 functional skills in Maths and English or above; must not hold a Level 3 qualification or above in a directly related subject; must not already be in any form of formal government‑funded education; must not hold a Level 4 qualification or above unless the subject is materially different from the apprenticeship.
• Level 2 Pharmacy services qualification and ability to successfully complete a screening assessment with the education provider.

Desirable:

• NVQ or BTEC level 2 in a GPhC recognised qualification (e.g. Pharmacy Services).
• Experience dealing with patients or the public.
• Previous experience of Microsoft Office or healthcare IT systems.

Working Pattern

37.5 hours per week, to include one day per week of virtual and self‑led learning.

Pay & Contract

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year pa

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 24 months

Working pattern: Full‑time

Job Details

Date posted: 05 November 2025

Reference number: 354‑CO‑21774

Employer Information

Employer name: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Mill View Hospital, Nevill Ave, Brighton and Hove, BN3 7HZ

Website: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Additional Information

As a key member of the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust pharmacy team, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy when they need it most.

'Being a Mental Health Pharmacy Technician isn't just a job it's a journey of growth, impact, and purpose. Every day brings new opportunities to learn, collaborate, and contribute to the wellbeing of others. It's a role that empowers me to make a difference, not only through medicines, but through compassion, teamwork, and continuous improvement.'

Shaun - SPFT Pharmacy Technician