About the role
Kick off an exciting career in pharmacy with Hot Chemist
Are you looking for an exciting entry-level healthcare career where you can earn while you learn?
Hot Chemist is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Apprentice Pharmacy Technician / Trainee Pharmacy Technician to join our friendly community pharmacy team.
This is a paid Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Integrated Apprenticeship and is a great opportunity for someone who wants to start a long-term career in pharmacy, healthcare, medicines and patient care.
You will work as part of a pharmacy team while completing formal apprenticeship training with an approved apprenticeship provider. Over the 24-month programme, you will learn how to dispense prescriptions, support NHS pharmacy services, help patients with medicines, manage stock, follow pharmacy procedures and develop the knowledge, skills and experience needed to become a registered pharmacy technician.
This role is suitable for someone looking to start their career in healthcare. School leavers, college leavers, pharmacy assistants, dispensing assistants and candidates looking for their first healthcare role are welcome to apply. No previous pharmacy experience is required, although experience in healthcare, retail, customer service, administration or pharmacy would be helpful.
What you will be working towards
This role leads towards the Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Integrated Apprenticeship.
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, qualification, work-based training and registration requirements, the trainee will be able to apply to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a pharmacy technician.
This is a pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician role, also known as a PTPT role.
Main duties and training areas
You will be trained and supervised to support with:
· Receiving, processing and checking prescription information
· Preparing, labelling and assembling prescription items
· Supporting safe dispensing processes under supervision
· Helping patients and carers understand how to take or use their medicines
· Managing repeat prescriptions and prescription queries
· Supporting prescription dispensing and the supply of medicines
· Supporting stock control, ordering, receiving and managing pharmacy stock
· Handling prescription charges, exemptions and related administration
· Speaking with patients, carers and healthcare professionals in a professional way
· Signposting patients to appropriate NHS and community services where needed
· Supporting NHS pharmacy services such as Pharmacy First, blood pressure checks, contraception services, healthy living advice and other community pharmacy services, where appropriate and once trained
· Supporting audits, service improvement and patient safety activities
· Understanding medicines reconciliation as part of the training programme
· Understanding final accuracy checking of medicines dispensed by others as part of the training programme
· Following pharmacy SOPs, confidentiality requirements and professional standards
· Completing apprenticeship assignments, portfolio evidence, training records and progress reviews
· Working safely under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician
What training and support will be provided?
You will receive:
· A structured workplace induction
· A 24-month apprenticeship training contract
· A full Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Integrated Apprenticeship programme
· Protected paid study time each week
· Support from a designated educational supervisor
· Regular documented progress reviews
· Supervised workplace experience in community pharmacy
· Training across dispensing, medicines, patient care, pharmacy services and pharmacy procedures
· Support to complete apprenticeship assignments and workplace evidence
· Development towards future registration as a pharmacy technician, subject to successful completion of all requirements
What we are looking for
We are looking for someone who is:
· Interested in a career in pharmacy, healthcare and patient care
· Reliable, punctual and willing to learn
· Professional, polite and respectful
· Able to maintain patient confidentiality
· Able to communicate clearly with patients, colleagues and healthcare professionals
· Organised and able to follow procedures accurately
· Good with attention to detail
· Comfortable using computers and digital systems
· Able to work as part of a team
· Able to manage study, work tasks and apprenticeship deadlines
· Able to commit to a 24-month apprenticeship programme
Essential requirements
· You must have the right to work in the UK
· You must be willing to complete a DBS check
· You must meet the apprenticeship provider’s eligibility and enrolment requirements
· You must not already be enrolled on a pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician programme
· You must be able to commit to a minimum 24-month training programme
· English and Maths GCSEs at grade 4/C or equivalent are preferred. Candidates without these may still be considered where the apprenticeship provider confirms that Functional Skills can be completed as part of the programme.
Desirable but not essential
· Previous experience as a pharmacy assistant, dispensing assistant, medicine counter assistant or pharmacy dispenser
· Previous experience in healthcare, retail, customer service or administration
· An interest in science, medicines, health or patient care
· Experience using computer systems
· Good written and verbal communication skills
Why join Hot Chemist?
This is an excellent opportunity to start a career in pharmacy and healthcare with structured training, supervision and support.
Benefits include:
· Paid apprenticeship role
· Protected paid study time
· Full Level 3 pharmacy technician apprenticeship training
· Structured workplace training and supervision
· Opportunity to gain a recognised pharmacy technician qualification
· Long-term career pathway in community pharmacy
· Supportive team environment
· Opportunity to develop clinical, technical and patient-facing skills
· Experience supporting NHS pharmacy services
· On-site parking
Equal opportunities
Hot Chemist is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
We particularly welcome applications from people looking to start a career in pharmacy and healthcare, including school leavers, college leavers, those new to pharmacy and those seeking a new career route.
How to apply
Please apply through Indeed with your CV and a short covering message explaining why you are interested in becoming an Apprentice Pharmacy Technician.
Please note that Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Pay: From £8.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Are you able to commit to a 24-month apprenticeship programme?
- Are you willing to complete a DBS check as part of the recruitment process?
- Do you have GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent?
- Do you currently have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of this 24-month apprenticeship without requiring employer visa sponsorship?
Work Location: In person
