Apprentice Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant Crest Pharmacy

The apprentice will be working alongside experienced dispensing assistants and medicines counter assistants while carrying out the duties including prescription receipt, form completion & processing, handing out of prescriptions and stock ordering. They will be supervised by the responsible pharmacist at the pharmacy.

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Closing date: 01 Jun 2023

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £9,609.60

    Wages explained

    Apprentices are paid for their normal working hours and training that's part of their apprenticeship (usually one day per week).

    Minimum Wage Rates

  • Working week

    Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.

    Total hours per week: 35.0

  • Expected duration

    15 Months

  • Possible start date

    01 Aug 2023

  • Date posted

    18 Apr 2023

  • Apprenticeship level

    Intermediate
    Level 2 (GCSE)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000155280

  • Positions

    3 available

What will the apprentice be doing?

An apprentice dispensing assistant will receive training in all aspects of Community Pharmacy starting with how to interact with customers as a first contact.

Duties include but not limited to:

  • Cash handling
  • Stock ordering
  • Minor ailments
  • Over the counter medicines, what they are, what they do & how to safely recommend them
  • When to refer patients requesting advice
  • Prescription receipt, form completion & processing
  • Handing out prescriptions
  • Pharmacy law and ethics, including legalities of prescriptions, controlled drug prescriptions and dispensing

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

There is a major shift from assessing to learning. Instead of continually assessing learners, assessors will be more like tutors or mentors, planning activities, sending feedback and supporting apprentices until the EPA (End Point Assessment). The EPAO (End Point Assessment Organisation) will then be responsible for assessing the apprentice.
Instead of assessing apprentices, on-programme learning will meet all the KSBs in the standard and prepare apprentices for their EPA. Mentors will need to check which assessment methods are used in the EPA and do mock tests and practice runs as the apprentice approaches the EPA.

The standards include a 20% off-the-job training requirement. This means providers and employers need to work together to plan learning activities outside of the apprentice's normal working duties. Off-the-job training is mandatory and will be audited, so it needs to be properly organised and recorded.

  • Apprentices are now graded according to their performance in the EPA. This means mentors will need to work closely with their learners to get the most out of them – planning activities to coach borderline apprentices and stretch and challenge high achievers
  • Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 qualification is achieved on completion
  • Apprentices without level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for level 2 English and maths prior to taking the end point assessment

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

  • Following successful completion of the training, an apprentice could be qualified to work as a dispensing assistant in Community Pharmacies:Should they wish to continue training, accuracy checking roles present an interesting progression, and further training can lead to a pharmacy technician qualification, meaning registration with the GPhC and a qualification which is recognised in the wider NHS

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Communication skills, Attention to detail, Organisation skills, Customer care skills, Problem solving skills, Administrative skills, Number skills, Analytical skills, Logical, Team working, Initiative, Non judgemental, Patience

Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent English (Grade 4) Essential
GCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade 4) Essential

Things to consider

How will you travel to work?

About the employer

Crest Pharmacy are a group of pharmacies across the Birmingham and wider west midlands areas. We are passionate about people as such we always strive to provide the best quality service to our communities whilst offering a wide range or services.

Employer

Crest Pharmacy

Address

88 Franche Road

Kidderminster

DY11 5BJ

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Training

Training provider

BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

Contact

Tony Smith

Tony.smith1@bmet.ac.uk

07402 821783

Apprenticeship standard

Pharmacy services assistant

Level 2 (GCSE)

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