Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship – Level 3
Barton Hill Pharmacy, Torquay
£12.71 per hour
32–36 hours per week over four weekdays
Monday to Friday only
Fixed-term contract covering the full apprenticeship
About the opportunity
Barton Hill Pharmacy is looking for a motivated and dependable Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician to join our independent community pharmacy.
This is a paid, work-based training position leading to the Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Integrated Apprenticeship. The programme normally takes at least two years and combines practical pharmacy experience with structured study through an approved training provider.
Following successful completion of the programme and all registration requirements, the trainee should be eligible to apply for registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a pharmacy technician. The programme includes operational and patient-facing experience, medicines reconciliation and final accuracy-checking development.
We are open to applicants from different backgrounds, including school-leavers, career changers and mature candidates. Previous pharmacy experience is desirable but not essential. Attitude, work ethic and genuine interest in community pharmacy are more important to us.
About Barton Hill Pharmacy
Barton Hill Pharmacy is a busy independent pharmacy located beside a GP surgery.
We provide NHS dispensing and clinical services alongside private services, healthcare products and retail sales. The successful candidate must understand that community pharmacy combines:
- safe and effective patient care;
- excellent customer service;
- NHS and private pharmacy services;
- appropriate product and service promotion;
- commercial awareness.
The pharmacy has recently installed a Meditech dispensing robot and uses Titan PMR, giving the trainee experience within a modern and increasingly automated pharmacy environment.
Our location beside a GP surgery also provides regular opportunities to communicate with primary-care teams, support referrals and help patients access suitable pharmacy services.
What you will learn and do
With training and appropriate supervision, your responsibilities will gradually include:
- Receiving and processing prescriptions.
- Assembling and labelling medicines accurately.
- Communicating with patients, GP practices and other healthcare professionals.
- Supporting patients at the medicines counter.
- Helping identify suitable NHS and private pharmacy services.
- Promoting relevant pharmacy services and healthcare products appropriately.
- Supporting stock control, ordering, deliveries, expiry-date checks and stock rotation.
- Using Titan PMR and the pharmacy’s automated dispensing systems.
- Maintaining accurate records and following pharmacy procedures.
- Supporting the safe and efficient organisation of pharmacy workflow.
- Maintaining confidentiality, cleanliness and high standards of patient care.
- Completing coursework, workplace assessments and portfolio evidence.
- Developing medicines-reconciliation and final accuracy-checking skills as the programme progresses.
- Taking increasing responsibility as your competence develops.
A strong trainee may also have opportunities to develop leadership skills, support newer members of the team and begin preparing for greater operational or supervisory responsibility.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for someone who:
- genuinely wants to build a career in community pharmacy;
- is reliable, punctual and professional;
- is willing to work hard and remain committed when learning becomes challenging;
- takes responsibility for their work;
- can accept feedback and act on it;
- is proactive and does not need to be repeatedly prompted;
- has excellent attention to detail;
- communicates confidently and respectfully with patients;
- can work efficiently without compromising safety;
- is comfortable working in a busy environment;
- understands the importance of both patient care and commercial awareness;
- is organised enough to manage employment and study together;
- works well independently and as part of a team;
- is willing to complete the full two-year programme;
- can travel reliably to Barton Hill Pharmacy.
Previous experience in pharmacy, healthcare, retail, customer service or supervising others would be advantageous, but is not essential.
Qualifications and apprenticeship eligibility
Applicants will normally require four GCSEs at grades 9–4/A–C*, or recognised equivalents, typically including:
- English language;
- mathematics;
- science;
- one other subject.
Entry requirements vary between apprenticeship providers. Applicants with overseas qualifications or different educational backgrounds are encouraged to apply, but final acceptance will be subject to assessment by the chosen training provider.
Appointment will also be subject to:
- confirmation of apprenticeship-funding eligibility;
- satisfactory right-to-work checks;
- suitable references;
- any other required pre-employment checks.
Hours and study arrangements
The position is for 32–36 paid hours per week over four weekdays, with no routine weekend working.
The weekly pattern will normally be fixed, such as Monday to Thursday or Tuesday to Friday, although the final arrangement will depend on the apprenticeship provider’s timetable and the pharmacy’s operational requirements.
One contracted day each week will normally be allocated as protected paid study and off-the-job training time. This may include live teaching, coursework, revision, portfolio work, workplace evidence and other approved learning activities.
NHS England requires one protected study day each week, while apprenticeship rules require at least six hours of off-the-job training during normal working hours.
Some additional study or preparation outside contracted hours may occasionally be necessary to complete the qualification successfully.
Supervision and development
The trainee will have a named Educational Supervisor who will oversee their progress, workplace learning and assessments.
Formal progress reviews will normally take place at least monthly. The trainee will also receive day-to-day support from appropriate members of the pharmacy team. NHS England requires the trainee to work under the supervision, direction or guidance of a registered pharmacist or pharmacy technician for at least 14 hours per week.
Occasional attendance at another pharmacy, training venue or healthcare setting may be required to meet the needs of the programme. Reasonable notice will be provided.
Pay
£12.71 per hour from the start of employment.
Pay will be reviewed annually and increased where necessary to comply with changes to statutory minimum-wage rates. The current National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour from April 2026; Barton Hill Pharmacy will offer this rate from commencement regardless of the lower statutory apprentice rate.
Contract and future opportunities
This is initially a fixed-term position covering the full apprenticeship programme, expected to last approximately 24 months. NHS England requires a fixed-term contract to remain in place until the apprenticeship has been completed.
Successful completion does not guarantee permanent employment. However, a permanent pharmacy technician position or further progression towards operational and supervisory responsibilities may be considered depending on:
- performance throughout the programme;
- professional conduct and reliability;
- suitability for the business;
- successful completion and registration;
- the availability of a suitable position.
Why apply?
- Earn £12.71 per hour while completing a recognised professional qualification.
- Receive protected paid study time.
- Train in a modern independent pharmacy.
- Gain experience using Titan PMR and a Meditech dispensing robot.
- Develop both clinical and commercial community-pharmacy skills.
- Work Monday to Friday with no routine weekend shifts.
- Gain exposure to NHS services, private services, retail and primary-care referrals.
- Have the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility.
- Potentially progress into a permanent or future supervisory role.
How to apply
Please submit your CV together with brief answers to the application questions.
The successful applicant must be available to commence employment and enrol with the apprenticeship provider by 30 September 2026.
The vacancy may close early if a suitable candidate is found.
Pay: From £12.71 per hour
Work Location: In person
