Pharmacy Services Assistant Apprentice (Level 2)

Buckingham Pharmacy (Aston)

West Midlands (B6 6QN)

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 10 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 27 August 2025

Print

Contents

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

£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 5.00pm.

35 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 17 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 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

  • 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
  • Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record/logbook
  • Ensuring that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and 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 a register)
  • Handling prescription money and operating/balancing the till
  • Assisting when required to meet targets in relation to the dispensing doctors scheme
  • Assisting in stock checks, control record/logbook

Where you'll work

408
Aston Lane
Birmingham
West Midlands
B6 6QN

Training

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

Training provider

BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN 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

Level 2 Pharmacy Assistant Apprenticeship Standard:

  • A competence-based qualification, i.e. NVQ/QCF
  • A knowledge-based qualification, i.e. Technical Certificate
  • Employer Rights & Responsibilities
  • Personal Learning & Thinking Skills
  • The off-the-job training will be delivered from the Mathew Boulton College in Birmingham. You will be required to attend College 1 day per week for face-to-face lessons

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)
  • Science (grade 4)

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
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

This employer is looking for an immediate start with a candidate who has strong GCSE results, so please only apply if you meet these criteria. 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 employer

Buckingham Pharmacy is a well-equipped community pharmacy serving the local area. It offers a comprehensive range of NHS and private services including stop-smoking support, needle and syringe exchange, emergency contraception, weight management, seasonal flu vaccinations, inhaler-technique advice, prescription delivery, gluten-free food support, healthy start vitamins, and more The pharmacy also features a private consultation room and employs multilingual staff, demonstrating its commitment to accessible, patient-centred care. Buckingham Chemist is a well-equipped community pharmacy serving the local area. Open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00, it offers a comprehensive range of NHS and private services including stop-smoking support, needle and syringe exchange, emergency contraception, weight management, seasonal flu vaccinations, inhaler-technique advice, prescription delivery, gluten-free food support, healthy start vitamins, and more The pharmacy also features a private consultation room and employs multilingual staff, demonstrating its commitment to accessible, patient-centred care. They provide first line care and support with a dedicated team of experienced staff.

After this apprenticeship

Potential progression opportunity at Buckingham Pharmacy into a Level 3 Pharmacy Technician role.

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 VAC1000335907.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 10 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

Sign in with your GOV.UK One Login to apply.