Dispensary Apprenticeship

HOLBROOK & SHOTLEY PRACTICE

Ipswich (IP9 2QS)

Closes in 13 days (Monday 6 April 2026)

Posted on 23 March 2026

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Summary

Holbrook and Shotley Surgery are a dispensing doctors’ surgery based in Holbrook and Shotley. They have an opportunity for a dispensary apprentice to join their team.

Wage

£15,600 a year

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Working hours can be negotiated.

Training course
Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)
Hours
Monday-Friday (09:00-17:00).

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 20 April 2026

Duration

1 year

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

Main roles and responsibilities:

  • Putting away stock, serving patients with their medications, checking identities, ordering stock, making up prescriptions.
  • Day-to-day contact – Julie Roper, Dispensary Manager.
  • This role is integral to the operation of the dispensary.
  • This role may require you to work across both practices.

Where you'll work

Holbrook Surgery, The Street, Holbrook
Ipswich
IP9 2QS

Training

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

Training provider

WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE

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

The learner will be studying the Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard qualification.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths and English (grade 4-9)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience

Other requirements

You will ideally be able to drive as the practice is very rural, and the buses are not that frequent or reliable. You will be standing most of the time. You will be interacting with the general public all day.

About this employer

The Holbrook and Shotley GP Practice is a traditional rural GP Practice across two surgery sites. We pride ourselves on providing a high standard of care to our 8000 patients. Our practice team comprises of three GP Partners, one salaried GP, supported by a highly experienced team of nurses, dispensers, clinical pharmacist, Clinical care practitioner, practice paramedic and reception team.

After this apprenticeship

To become a fully qualified dispenser able to work in both dispensing practices and high street Pharmacies.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000021969.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Monday 6 April 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.