Level 2 Apprenticeship in Pharmacy Services
OXFORD UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Oxford (OX3 7LE)
Closes in 19 days (Sunday 27 September 2026)
Posted on 8 September 2026
Contents
Summary
Pharmacy Assistants are essential members of the pharmacy team working under the supervision of a Pharmacist and alongside Pharmacy Technicians to provide pharmaceutical care for the patient. We are currently looking for two level 2 Pharmacy apprentice to join the John Radcliffe Hospital Pharmacy department.
- Wage
-
£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)
- Hours
-
This apprenticeship will be 37.5 hours per week based at the Churchill Hospital on a fixed-term contract.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Friday 30 October 2026
- Duration
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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
Main duties under supervision include:
- To complete all work set by your assessor
- To efficiently undertake basic dispensary duties which may include the following duties as directed
- To unpack pharmacy medicine deliveries, check the delivery and place for loading into the robot
- To put away medicines into their correct locations and maintain clean and tidy storage areas
- To expiry date check medicines and rotate the stocks to ensure medicines are used in date order and avoid waste
- To provide support to the pharmacy reception including processing payments, filing prescription paperwork and taking in prescriptions from patients
- To provide support to the pharmacy portering service including the delivery of sealed medicine pouches to ward areas and supporting the IV fluid top ups
- To be trained to competently dispense and label medicines for inpatient use in accordance with the dispensary procedures
- To be trained to use the pharmacy computer system to obtain information, print labels and to load the robot
- To answer/deal with queries, both face to face and via the telephone, take messages and pass them on to the relevant member of staff in an appropriate and timely manner
- To maintain filing systems in line with organisations policies and procedures
- To assist with the ordering and maintenance of medicine supplies
- To be a flexible and supportive member of the team
- To maintain strict confidentiality at all times
- Attend and take part in team meetings & regular reviews with line manager
- To prepare for and attend assessment meetings and participate in relevant training
- Throughout the training period the post holder will be expected to complete all training as required including functional skills if required, trust statutory and mandatory training as well as any study sessions provided by the Education &Training team
- To adhere to the local and national Health and Safety regulations and the organisations Policies and Procedures
- To sign a learning contract with the training provider and adhere to the agreement
- To be responsible for the use of physical equipment and to report any defects in equipment as appropriate
Where you'll work
Churchill Hospital
Old Road
Headington
Oxford
OX3 7LE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
OXFORD UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
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
During your 15-month contract full practical in-house training will be provided, you will undertake a level 2 Specialist BTEC in The Principles and Practices for Pharmacy Support Staff (Apprenticeship). This will provide you with the skills to work as a Pharmacy Assistant, alongside the knowledge you will need to support your pharmacy career. You must be a team player, keen to further your education, and have a good attention to detail as well as the ability to work accurately in a busy environment and be able to communicate clearly with patients and staff.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade A*-C or 4-9)
- Maths (grade A*-C or 4-9)
- Science (grade A*-C or 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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
An understanding of the role of a pharmacy assistant and pharmacists in a hospital, within the community or work experience in either of these settings would be highly advantageous.
About this employer
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
http://www.ouh.nhs.uk (opens in new tab)
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
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- There is a clear career pathway for those wishing to develop beyond that of an apprenticeship
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
OXFORD UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Jane Yarnell
jane.yarnell@ouh.nhs.uk
01865 221109
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000052350.
Apply now
Closes in 19 days (Sunday 27 September 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.