Apprentice Pharmacy Services Assistant (Level 2)

Summary

This is a great opportunity for someone who is keen to get into Pharmaceuticals. We are keen to recruit the right candidate. You will be working alongside pharmacy technicians while under the supervision of the pharmacist. This employer values apprenticeships and will provide all the support you will need to thrive in this environment.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Pharmacy technician (integrated) (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm and Saturday, 9.00am - 12.00pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 3 months

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

Duties will include:

Handling customer queries with confidence
Collection of prescription charges/checking patient exemption statements
Operation of efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage
Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions
Refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record/logbook
Ensuring that that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order
Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions
Ordering and unpacking drugs and dressings
Dispensing and checking repeat prescriptions and prescriptions from surgeries under the supervision of a dispenser
Taking orders for repeats and dealing with queries from district nurses and support staff
Using the computer to keep records up to date
Dealing with queries from patients regarding their prescriptions
Handling controlled drugs (and keeping the register)
Handling prescription money and operating/balancing the till
Assisting when required to meet targets in relation to dispensing doctors' scheme
Assisting with stock checks

Where you'll work

48 52 Yardley Green Road
Bordesley Green
Birmingham
B9 5QE

Training

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

College or training organisation

BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

Your training course

Pharmacy technician (integrated) (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Recognise and work within their scope of practice and skills,
Use relevant data and information to make effective decisions
Accurately retrieve and reconcile information about a person’s medicines
Accurately assemble prescribed items
Issue prescribed items safely and effectively and take action to deal with discrepancies carry out an accuracy check of dispensed medicines and products
Accurately perform pharmaceutical calculations to ensure the safety of people
Apply the principles of clinical governance and ensure person’s confidentiality
Assess a person’s present supply of medicines and order appropriate medicines and products.
Receive requests for medicines, including prescriptions, and check for their validity, safety and clarity, taking action to deal with any problems with the person directly
Demonstrate operational skills within their scope of practice
Provide a safe, effective and responsive pharmacy service
Take personal responsibility for the legal, safe and efficient supply of medicines
Apply the principles of governance to pharmacy operational processes
Ensure the confidentiality of patient data.
Communicate and work effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team
Explain the impact of audit and evaluation on the quality of pharmacy operations and services
Engage others in the improvement of processes and systems
Effectively use systems to support the safe and effective management and supply of medicines
Listen to a person, understand their needs and interpret what matters to them.
Give the person all relevant information and advice in a way they can understand, so they can make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing
Optimise a person’s medicines to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Obtain relevant information from people – including patients, carers and other healthcare professionals – and use it to optimise care appropriately
Adapt information and communication to meet the needs of particular audiences
Check and review their own and others work effectively
Suggest and implement personal goals and methods of improvement
Maintain CPD outcomes that meet with regulatory requirements
Identify and respond effectively to errors and near misses
Ensure effective safeguards are in place particularly for children and vulnerable adults
Prioritise time and resources effectively to achieve local and national objectives
Respond to medical emergencies
Ensure that health and safety controls are embedded and working
Effectively supervise other members of the team
Recognise and work within their scope of practice and skills,
Use relevant data and information to make effective decisions
Accurately retrieve and reconcile information about a person’s medicines
Accurately assemble prescribed items
Issue prescribed items safely and effectively and take action to deal with discrepancies carry out an accuracy check of dispensed medicines and products
Accurately perform pharmaceutical calculations to ensure the safety of people
Apply the principles of clinical governance and ensure person’s confidentiality
Assess a person’s present supply of medicines and order appropriate medicines and products.
Receive requests for medicines, including prescriptions, and check for their validity, safety and clarity, taking action to deal with any problems with the person directly
Demonstrate operational skills within their scope of practice
Provide a safe, effective and responsive pharmacy service
Take personal responsibility for the legal, safe and efficient supply of medicines
Apply the principles of governance to pharmacy operational processes
Ensure the confidentiality of patient data.
Communicate and work effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team
Explain the impact of audit and evaluation on the quality of pharmacy operations and services
Engage others in the improvement of processes and systems
Effectively use systems to support the safe and effective management and supply of medicines
Listen to a person, understand their needs and interpret what matters to them.
Give the person all relevant information and advice in a way they can understand, so they can make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing
Optimise a person’s medicines to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Obtain relevant information from people – including patients, carers and other healthcare professionals – and use it to optimise care appropriately
Adapt information and communication to meet the needs of particular audiences
Check and review their own and others work effectively
Suggest and implement personal goals and methods of improvement
Maintain CPD outcomes that meet with regulatory requirements
Identify and respond effectively to errors and near misses
Ensure effective safeguards are in place particularly for children and vulnerable adults
Prioritise time and resources effectively to achieve local and national objectives
Respond to medical emergencies
Ensure that health and safety controls are embedded and working
Effectively supervise other members of the team

Your training plan

The standard includes a 20% off-the-job training requirement with Birmingham Metropolitan College
The off-the-job training will be delivered from Mathew Boulton College, Birmingham on a day release basis
Apprentices are graded according to their performance in the EPA
Upon successful completion the apprentice will achieve a Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 qualification

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade C/4 equivalent or above)
Maths (grade C/4 equivalent or above)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Science (grade C/4 equivalent 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
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

As part of this apprenticeship, you will be required to travel to both the employer location and also attend college. Please ensure that you have researched your travel arrangements and are happy with the time it will take and distance required to travel, before you apply for this vacancy.

About this company

Hingley Pharmacy is a group of ten NHS pharmacies and an internet based pharmacy operating across the West Midlands. It was founded in 1964 by Michael Hingley & it remains in the family with his two daughters, Jane & Claire working in the business. The pharmacies are true Community Pharmacies and pride themselves in service to their patients. The group are looking to expand the services offered and envision a growing role for assistants and technicians in this provision.

After this apprenticeship

Following successful completion of the training, an apprentice will 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

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

BMet Recruitment Team

recruitment@bmet.ac.uk

0121 362 1122

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000330556.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Sunday 27 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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