Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

Job overview

Are you interested in training to become a qualified Pharmacy Technician? This is a fantastic opportunity to start your pharmacy career while earning and learning through a structured Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship, leading to registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

This is a full-time, 2-year fixed-term training programme based at Southmead Hospital, combining workplace learning with structured study. You’ll rotate through key areas of the pharmacy department—including patient services and medicines supply—developing the knowledge and practical skills needed to support patients throughout their hospital stay.

You will be supported by an experienced Pharmacy Learning and Development Team, alongside external training providers. The programme includes a mix of online learning, study days, and hands-on experience, so you’ll need to be motivated, organised, and able to manage your own learning.

You will need to have a minimum of four GCSE passes (C/4 grade or above or equivalent) in Mathematics, English and Science and one other. You will need to be self-driven, have good communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to react to changing situations. Internal employees within Pharmacy at Band 3 and above will be capped at Band 3.

Course start date: February 2027

Main duties of the job

• Undertake the Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship programme, completing both academic and workplace-based learning
• Rotate through different areas of the pharmacy department to gain a broad range of skills and experience
• Complete a portfolio of evidence and assessments to demonstrate competence and knowledge
• Carry out tasks and objectives set by your Workplace Training Supervisor and the Learning and Development Team
• Work within Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under supervision
• Meet all required deadlines and learning outcomes as part of the apprenticeship programme

Please note: successful completion of all educational components within the contract period is a requirement of the role. Failure to meet these requirements may result in termination of the contract.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy

Please note to be eligible for the apprenticeship you must:

• Be over the age of 18
• Have lived in the UK/EEA for the past 3 years
• Have the legal right to work and live in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship. If you require a visa, it must allow you to work and undertake an apprenticeship. Visa's issued solely for educational or study purposes do not meet the eligibility requirements
• Not be currently working towards any other government funded training programme
• Hold GCSE Maths , English, Science and one other subject at a minimum of Grade C/4 and be able to evidence this as part of your application

Main Duties

This is a two-year, fixed-term rotational training post designed to enable the post holder to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours required to register as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

The post holder will be required to successfully complete an approved Pharmacy Technician training programme, incorporating both knowledge-based learning and workplace competency assessments. Training will be delivered through a combination of formal education provided by the appointed Education Provider, online learning, supervised workplace experience and face-to-face teaching where required.

The post holder will undertake a range of rotational placements across pharmacy services, gaining experience in dispensing, medicines supply, procurement and stock control, ward-based pharmacy services, medicines management and patient counselling. There may also be opportunities or requirements to undertake placements at other sites, depending on service needs and the requirements of the training programme. In addition to core rotations, the post holder may undertake shorter observational or experiential placements in specialist areas, such as pharmacy production, primary care networks (PCNs) and other relevant pharmacy settings, to broaden their understanding of pharmacy practice and patient care.

All duties will be undertaken under appropriate supervision, in accordance with Trust policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the individual's level of competence and the requirements of the training programme. Progress will be monitored and supported by a designated Workplace Training Supervisor, with overall coordination and oversight of the training programme provided by the Education and Training team. Competence will be demonstrated through workplace assessments and the completion of a portfolio of evidence, while underpinning knowledge will be assessed through academic assignments, examinations and other assessments specified by the Education Provider.

The post holder is expected to demonstrate commitment to their professional development, actively engage with all aspects of the training programme and successfully complete the required educational and workplace assessments within the specified timescales. This includes meeting academic deadlines, maintaining an up-to-date portfolio and demonstrating satisfactory progress throughout both years of training. Successful completion of the training programme within the two-year fixed-term contract is an expectation of the role. Failure to meet the required academic, competency or professional standards may result in formal review and could affect continuation of employment, in accordance with relevant Trust policies and procedures.

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.