Pre-registration Trainee Technician

Transformation Unit; Uxbridge; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hospital accommodation

Pension scheme

On-site nursery

Salary sacrifice schemes

Job summary

The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Uxbridge invites applications for a Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship (NHS AfC Band 4). The fixed-term post runs for 24 months with full-time hours (37.5 per week).

The apprenticeship offers on-the-job training and day release to achieve a Level 3 qualification, with eventual eligibility to register as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC. You must have 5 GCSEs (A-C) including English, Maths and 2 science subjects; some STEM degrees may apply.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including English, Maths and 2 science subjects.
• You must have 5 GCSEs including English, Maths and 2 sciences to be eligible.
• Candidates may hold a degree but not in the area of the pharmacy apprenticeship; training leads to registration as a Pharmacy Technician.

Responsibilities

• On-the-job training in all areas of the hospital pharmacy.
• Rotations through dispensary, inpatient, outpatient, and satellite services.
• Provide support under supervision to develop competency and quality patient service.
• Completion of coursework to deadlines and progression to GPhC registration.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Learning mindset

Education

GCSEs including English, Maths and 2 sciences

Job description

Main area Pharmacy Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Fixed term: 24 months (February 2027 – February 2029) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 394-CSS8318035-SG

Employer The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Hillingdon Hospital Town Uxbridge Salary £33,262 - £36,027 per annum (incl. of HCAA) Salary period Yearly Closing 23/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 02/12/2026

NHS AfC: Band 4

Right to Work

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa requirements before completing your application.

Due to recent changes to the UK immigration rules affecting Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility routes, skill level requirements and salary thresholds, please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information is available via https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration .

The Trust is able to offer hospital accommodation, pension scheme, on-site nursery (through third party provider), together with salary sacrifice schemes (including child care vouchers, ride to work) and a range of national and local staff discounts (subject to availability).

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for enthusiastic candidate to develop skills and knowledge in all areas of the hospital pharmacy.
The apprenticeship involves on-the-job training and day release (on-line remote learning) with Buttercups training provider to attain a Level 3 qualification. On successful completion of the training programme you will be able to register as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Annex 21 covers trainees who enter the NHS & undertake their training whilst an employee. Annex 21 pay is determined as a percentage of the maximum qualified rate.

Successful applicants:
Will be aged 18+ (no upper limit)
Must NOT be in any form of formal government-funded education
Can hold a degree but not in the area in which the apprenticeship aligns with the pharmacy framework.
You must have 5 GCSEs at grade C (or above) or equivalent to include English, Maths, and 2 science subjects. Candidates who do not hold a sufficient Science GCSE must be able to demonstrate experience working in a pharmacy environment as a pharmacy assistant for a minimum of 1 year.
You need to be committed to learning and completing coursework to deadlines.
You must be able to work accurately, communicate effectively and be a good team player.
Certificates of qualifications will need to be provided prior to interview stage to be verified by the
Education Provider and confirmation of eligibility.

Main duties of the job

Training and supervision will be provided to achieve the following:

Work in and become competent in the routine technical work in each element of the rotation including in the dispensary (inpatient, outpatient and satellites), procurement office and stock management on the wards.
When required, provide limited cover for more senior staff, under the guidance and supervision of an experienced Technician or Pharmacist.
Identify and resolve own errors and those of junior staff.
Be able to organise and prioritise work.
Maintain safe systems of work and work proactively to avoid errors, complaints and incidents.
Observe standard operating procedures (SOPs) in every section of the rotation.
Contribute to the development of section/speciality work practices by reporting variations from procedures to senior staff.
Contribute to the preparation of departmental procedures when required.
Work according to the day-to-day plan of the section in which you are in ensuring an efficient quality service to patients.
To support other colleagues with less experience in section of rotation.
Participate in hospital-based staff appraisal system.
Contribute to the departmental audit programme.
Participate in extended hours/flexible working as required by the service, including Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Working for our organisation

The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital in the London Borough of Hillingdon and offers a wide range of services, including accident and emergency, inpatient care, day surgery, outpatient clinics, and maternity services. The Trust’s services at Mount Vernon Hospital include routine day surgery, delivered at a modern treatment centre, a minor injuries unit, and outpatient clinics.

The safety and well-being of our patients and staff is paramount and we are making urgent improvements to address this – particularly in infection prevention and control. We are making progress by working in partnership with local GPs, charities, community services, academic partners, our local authority, neighbouring hospitals, and the wider North West London Integrated care system, and ensuring that we listen and work in partnership with our local population. We are focused on ensuring that our hospitals provide high quality, safe, and compassionate care, while we drive forward with the building of the new Hillingdon Hospital.

We have over 3,500 members of staff that are proud to care for nearly half a million people, with a vision to be an outstanding provider of healthcare through leading health and academic partnerships, transforming services, to provide the best care for the people that we serve.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Work according to the day-to-day plan of the section in which you are in ensuring an efficient quality service to patients.
To support other colleagues with less experience in section of rotation.
Participate in hospital-based staff appraisal system.
Contribute to the departmental audit programme.
Participate in extended hours/flexible working as required by the service, including Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Please refer to the attached detailed job description and person specification for further details.

Person specification

• Education and Qualifications
• Experience
• Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
• Personal Qualities

At The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, our recruitment processes are designed to identify candidates who demonstrate the right skills and values to support our commitment to high-quality care.

Please note that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in applications is monitored. Any misuse that results in an inaccurate representation of a candidate’s abilities may affect the outcome of the application. Applicants will be required to declare any use of AI prior to submitting your application.

Once a sufficient number of applications have been received the vacancy may be closed prior to the published closing down date. All contracts are issued under Agenda for Change Terms & Conditions of employment and all posts are subject to appropriate job matching or evaluation process, where indicated. Applications are welcome from all sections of the community to ensure our workforce is representative of the population. Please note that all candidates at risk in London and going through the NHS London Redeployment scheme are to be given priority as part of the recruitment process where their application meets the essential criteria for the role.

Please note: If you do not meet the requirements for the role or have specific registration where required then your application will be automatically rejected.

If you do not hear fromwithin 2 weeks of the closingdate please assume you are unsuccessful.

The Hillingdon Hospital will use the information provided primarily for the purposes of managing your employment within the Trust.

Recruitment fraud warning

The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust does not charge any fees for job applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements or offers of employment. All legitimate recruitment communications and applications will be made through our official careers website and published contact details. If you receive a job offer or recruitment communication requesting payment, please do not make any payment and verify it with us using the contact details published on our official careers website.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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.