Job overview
2-year fixed term contract starting Feb-27
SALARY Annex 21 Band 4: 70% in year 1 increasing to 75% in year 2
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.
We are looking for highly motivated, enthusiastic & hardworking individuals to become part of the pharmacy workforce at the Royal Surrey. This Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT) post is a 2-year fixed term contract and is for 37.5 hours/week. This is an exciting opportunity for someone interested in a pharmacy career to ‘earn while they learn’ in different NHS pharmacy settings whilst gaining a qualification. Individuals will complete a GPhC accredited / recognised qualification resulting in the post holder being registered as a Pharmacy Technician.
The qualification will be a mixture of studying & showing competence within the acute trust with opportunities to experience different areas of pharmacy & in multi-sector rotations. This may include the NHS managed sector, community pharmacy & mental health over 2 years. This will give the post holder a varied overview & experience of the Pharmacy Technician role in different healthcare settings.
You should hold a minimum of 4 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade 9-4 (A*-C) including Mathematics, English Language & Science.
You will need to bring certification evidence & copies of these to interview. We cannot interview you without these.
Main duties of the job
The post holders will participate in a rotational training programme. Within the hospital this may include ward based medicines management, dispensary, aseptics, clinical trials, oncology, stores, procurement, homecare and high cost drugs. Rotations external to the hospital trust may include community pharmacy, mental health and outpatient pharmacy services.
The appointed candidates will need to demonstrate that they are patient focused, have good interpersonal and communication skills and committed to the training programme. The ability to cope with the discipline of studying whilst working as part of a team in this busy department is essential; therefore, a professional manner and work ethic is important for a PTPT to demonstrate.
Please note apprenticeship rules and eligibility criteria will apply to this post
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See full job description for detail
The Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT) apprenticeship programme combines and integrates work-based and traditional academic learning. You can expect to spend up to 80% of your time on-the-job, in a productive role, and at least 20% of your time learning off-the-job.
Training will be completed through a combination of attending face-to-face and/or virtual sessions delivered by the Higher Education Institution, where support will be given to empower you to complete and pass the theoretical and academic components and assessments. You will also complete a range of clinical placements, observations and work-based assessments as required by the apprenticeship programme. These aspects will be completed within the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust (RSFT) or with a designated placement provider, where you will be supported by appropriate professionals. During this time you will gain clinical experience working across an audited practice learning environment (placement setting) that will provide supervision and assessment, as set by the GPhC and NHS England.
Applicant requirements
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.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrable understanding of importance of Health and Safety and Risk Management
- Demonstrated accurate numeracy skills, without using a calculator, including: • Simple calculations • Addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, percentages, decimal, fractions, ratios
- Demonstrable understanding of the role of a pharmacy technician within the pharmacy environment and within the context of the multi-disciplinary team
- An awareness of what the Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship Programme entails and the scope of practice of a pharmacy technician
- Understanding the importance of following procedures and working within guidelines and protocols
- Experience of successful teamwork
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the NHS constitution
- Demonstrated knowledge of ‘patient confidentiality’
- Work experience in hospital pharmacy and/or community pharmacy in the United Kingdom
- Experience of stock management
- Previous experience of NVQ or portfolio construction
- Previous experience of working in a Pharmacy or ‘customer orientated’ service
- Experience of working in a busy environment
- Previous experience of a healthcare setting or customer-orientated service setting
- Understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy/national guidance/CQC/ and appreciate the implications of this on engagement
- Evidence of recent, accredited and completed academic study
Qualifications
Essential
- Four GCSE’s Grade 4 or above (Grade C or above) (or equivalent recognised by training provider) to include Math, English Language and Science
- Higher Education Institution entry requirement: All applicants must have evidence of Education and Skills Funding Agency approved Level 2 English Language and maths qualifications e.g. GCSE A*-C (9-4), Functional Skills Level 2, UK ENIC Statement of Comparability for overseas qualifications
- Apprenticeship eligibility requirement: • You must be able to complete the apprenticeship in the time you have available • You must spend at least 50% of your working hours in England over the duration of the apprenticeship • You must have the right to work in England and have eligible residency status for the duration of the apprenticeship • You must have lived and worked in the UK or EEA for the previous 3 years • You must not be undertaking training funded through the Adult Education Budget that replicates the learning aims of the apprenticeship, that offers training that conflicts with the apprenticeship or takes place during working hours • You must not be in receipt of any other direct Department for Education funding during the apprenticeship programme • Content of the apprenticeship must be materially different from any prior qualification held at the same or a higher level than the apprenticeship
Desirable
- A Levels
- Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Services or equivalent
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Apprentice Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT) with Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust in Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. It is listed as a Band 4 Pharmacy technician role. The advertised salary is £29,812 - £32,715 Annex 21 of AfC Band 4 (per annum) includes HCAS. The contract type is 2 years (Fixed term ending on 23/02/2029). The application deadline is 13 Sep 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (13 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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