Pharmacy assistant apprenticeship

Summary

As a Pharmacy Assistant, you will work alongside Pharmacy Technicians, under the supervision of a registered pharmacist, at your local pharmacy shop. You will be helping to maintain stock levels, ordering items for use within a department, plus more.

Wage

£14,722.50 to £23,809.50, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday 9am-1pm; 2pm-5:30pm. May work Saturday 9am-1pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Sunday 10 August 2025

Duration

1 year 1 month

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

The range of duties is broad and varies depending on the post, but may include the following:

Taking in and handing out prescriptions, dispensing prescriptions
Using computer systems to generate stock lists and labels
Helping to maintain stock levels
Ordering items for use within a department
Receiving, loading, and unloading incoming goods from wholesalers, manufacturers and elsewhere
Delivering pharmaceuticals and other goods to sites within a pharmacy department, and wards/departments/clinical areas
Selling over-the-counter medicines
Answering queries on the supply and availability of medicines
Responding to telephone and face-to-face enquiries of a routine nature from patients and customers
Bringing any problems identified or queries raised to the attention of pharmacists or pharmacy technicians
Pre-packing, assembling and labelling medicines
Assisting with the manufacture of medicines
Preparing medicines 'aseptically' (preparing medicines in a very clean environment using special techniques)
Ensuring that health and safety requirements are met

Most common daily duties are as follows:

Scanning and labelling prescriptions
Bagging patient prescriptions
Stock replenishment
Stock rotation
Serving customers
General housekeeping

Where you'll work

39 WULFSTAN COURT
CAMBRIDGE
CB1 8RE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

BUTTERCUPS TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

receive and log prescriptions
assemble prescribed items, undertake an in-process accuracy check and issue prescribed items
work according to legislative requirements, and organisational policies
order, receive, maintain and issue pharmaceutical stock
provide appropriate advice when authorised on supplied medicines and products, their storage and disposal
work within the parameters of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the pharmacy
act in accordance with systems and organisational governance
recognise and act within the pharmacy regulatory, legal and ethical standards
support the team in the development of others
maintain and further develop your own skills and knowledge through development activities; maintain evidence of your personal development and actively prepare for and participate in appraisal
communicate effectively with the public, carers and other health and social care professionals using a range of techniques to determine their needs, and keep information confidential
handle information (record, report and store information) related to individuals and/or patients in line with local and national policies
use pharmacy IT systems and other IT resources according to legislative requirements and organisational policies
demonstrate person centred care and support within a pharmacy setting
make pharmacy patients and patient safety your first concern
use judgement and refer service user as appropriate to another member of the team, GP, healthcare worker, manufacturer etc
maintain the interests of patients and the health of the public
promote and advocate equality, diversity and inclusion
promote healthy lifestyles to customers
work safely within the parameters of your role using Standard Operating Procedures
apply policies which relate to health and safety at work
act appropriately in situations to prevent harm to yourself and others

Your training plan

At work.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Math/English (grade C or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Team working
Patience

About this company

Polaris Pharmacy is an independent family-run community pharmacy in Wulfstan Court CB1 - the ‘Queen Edith’s’ area of Cambridge. The pharmacist team, Gina and Loh, moved to this area in 2002 to take over Kay’s Chemist when the owners decided to retire. The pharmacy has been a mainstay of our local area for over 40 years, being ideally placed to serve patients at Queen Edith’s Medical Practice, Cornford House Surgery and other local GP practices. We provide an efficient and customer-focused service to the local community.

http://www.polarispharmacy.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Full-time position may be available for the right candidate
The opportunity to progress onto your Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship may also be available.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Polaris Pharmacy

Gina

polarispharmacy.cambridge@gmail.com

01223242687

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000324971.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 1 August 2025

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