Trainee Dispensing Assistant Apprentice (Barbour Pharmacy limited)

BARBOUR PHARMACY LIMITED

IPSWICH (IP1 2LW)

Closes in 26 days (Saturday 17 October 2026)

Posted on 17 September 2026

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Summary

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is interested in starting a career in pharmacy. You will support the safe and accurate preparation of prescriptions, help patients and customers, assist with stock control, and complete appropriate training while working under the supervision of experienced pharmacy professionals.

Wage

£8,736 to £13,879.32, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)
Hours
Days and shifts to be confirmed. The contracted weekly hours are 21 hours spread over 3 days.

21 hours a week

Start date

Monday 26 October 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

Role Overview:

As a Trainee Dispensing Assistant, you will work as part of a busy pharmacy team to support the dispensing and supply of medicines to patients. You will receive training and supervision while developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to work safely and effectively in a pharmacy environment. The role will involve helping to process prescriptions, prepare medicines for checking, generate labels, use the pharmacy computer system, manage stock, and provide excellent customer service.

You do not need to have any previous experience of working in a pharmacy and you will not be expected to work independently at first, all dispensing duties will be carried out under appropriate supervision until you are trained and assessed as competent. You will also be expected to follow pharmacy standard operating procedures, maintain patient confidentiality, work accurately, and raise any queries or concerns with the pharmacist or senior member of the team.

This role is suitable for someone who is organised, careful, willing to learn, and interested in supporting patient care. The successful candidate will complete the Pharmacy Services Assistant apprenticeship standard.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Assist with receiving, interpreting and processing prescriptions under appropriate supervision
  • Accurately assemble medicines ready for final checking by the team
  • Use the pharmacy computer system to produce labels, update patient records and support prescription processing
  • Refer medication queries, prescription issues, patient concerns or potential errors to the pharmacist or supervisor
  • Support the safe handout of prescriptions in line with workplace procedures
  • Provide polite, professional and helpful service to patients and customers
  • Answer general queries within the limits of the role and refer clinical or complex questions to the pharmacist
  • Receive, check, put away and rotate stock deliveries
  • Support expiry date checking, stock control, ordering and returns
  • Maintain a clean, tidy and safe dispensary and pharmacy environment
  • Follow standard operating procedures, health and safety requirements, safeguarding procedures and confidentiality rules
  • Report near misses, incidents, dispensing errors or concerns in line with company procedures
  • Complete all required training, coursework and workplace assessments within agreed timescales
  • Work as part of the wider pharmacy team to support safe, efficient and patient-focused pharmacy services

Where you'll work

119 BRAMFORD ROAD
IPSWICH
IP1 2LW

Training

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

Training provider

BUTTERCUPS TRAINING 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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English and Maths (grade A*-C/9-4 or equivalent)

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
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working
  • Numeracy skills
  • Using computers & IT systems
  • Willing to learn new systems
  • Able to follow instructions
  • Customer service skills
  • Reliable and punctual
  • Willing to learn and develop
  • Careful and accurate
  • Honest and trustworthy
  • Professional and respectful
  • Friendly and approachable
  • Calm under pressure
  • Patient-focused

Other requirements

  • Able to ask for help when unsure
  • Committed to maintaining confidentiality
  • Positive attitude towards training and feedback
  • Responsible and safety-conscious

About this employer

Barbour pharmacy a small independent or local community pharmacy providing both NHS and private services to the public.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

The contract would be temporary until the apprenticeship finishes, after which it can become permanent.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BUTTERCUPS TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000054027.

Apply now

Closes in 26 days (Saturday 17 October 2026)

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