Apprentice Pharmacy assistant
LANCASHIRE AND SOUTH CUMBRIA NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Blackpool (FY4 4FE)
Closes in 8 days (Wednesday 10 December 2025)
Posted on 26 November 2025
Contents
Summary
We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, hardworking and patient-focused person with an interest in pharmacy to train as a Pharmacy Support Worker.
- Wage
-
Competitive
Competitive wage offered
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Band 2 salary £24465.00 per annum
- Training course
- Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)
- Hours
-
Shift work, exact working days and hours TBC.
38 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 2 February 2026
- 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
The successful applicant will work as part of our clinical inpatient team of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Support Workers deliver excellent patient care and ensure safe and effective medicines management processes within the service.
You should be self-motivated with excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a willingness to undertake a Level 2 apprenticeship the fixed term employment contract.
As a purely clinical service there is no pharmacy-based dispensary commitment, bank holiday or weekend working. We can also offer flexible working hours and are committed to improving working lives.
The Pharmacy Service within Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust is a well-established team with a wealth of expertise in both Mental Health and Community services and continues to provide high quality clinical input into all aspects of the health provision delivered by the organisation. We are a supportive team committed to the education and development of our expanding service.
This role involves working within a mental health inpatient setting. For safeguarding reasons, applicants must be 18 years or older.
Please note: This post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- To monitor fridge and ambient temperatures in the dispensary according to procedure, reporting discrepancies and taking remedial action immediately
- To develop skills in compiling stock orders ensuring they are transmitted to the Acute Trust in a timely manner
- To ensure all stock is received, delivered and checked into the ward in accordance with Trust procedure and is placed in the correct stock cupboards
- To monitor for expired stock and ensure it is disposed of in accordance with Trust procedure
- To work with the Pharmacy Technicians to learn how to review and alter stock lists
- To learn how to check suitability for re-use of any unwanted stock items and process according to audit procedures
- To develop skills in electronic systems to ensure that stock lists are updated and maintained and to understand the retention period for paper records
- To learn and develop skills in using the Ascribe pharmacy medicines management computer/labelling system
- To learn the skills required to accurately undertake the dispensing of medication
- To learn the skills required in ensuring that all computer transactions relating to medication and patient details are accurate
- Undergo a dispensing validation assessment
- To develop a good working knowledge of which medicines are stocked, their forms and strengths to minimise the risk of selection errors
Where you'll work
Windmill Rise
Blackpool
FY4 4FE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
I & F LIMITED
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
Training schedule
Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Customer care skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
Other requirements
This post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
About this employer
Lancashire & South Cumbria is a Mental Health & Wellbeing Trust. Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care. The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area. For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.
Company benefits
NHS Pension.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Opportunity to apply for other roles within the NHS.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
I & F LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000002609.
Apply now
Closes in 8 days (Wednesday 10 December 2025)
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