Community Pharmacy Dispenser Apprenticeship
MEDWIN PHARMACY
York (YO31 7EQ)
Closes in 17 days (Friday 5 December 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 14 November 2025
Contents
Summary
Join our community pharmacy as a Pharmacy Dispenser Apprentice and gain hands-on experience while working towards your Level 2 Dispensing Assistant qualification. You’ll learn from qualified Dispensers, Pharmacy Technicians, and the Pharmacist, developing real skills that lead to a rewarding healthcare career.
- Wage
-
£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 5 January 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
2
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
- Assist with preparing and labelling prescriptions under supervision.
- Help assemble and dispense medication safely and accurately.
- Learn how to process electronic prescriptions (EPS) and manage patient medication records.
- Support the preparation of blister packs and compliance aids.
- Serve patients at the counter, offering friendly customer service and signposting queries to the pharmacist.
- Learn how to give safe over-the-counter advice within their competence.
- Receive, check, and put away pharmacy stock deliveries.
- Rotate stock, check expiry dates, and keep the dispensary organised.
- Help maintain a clean, safe, and compliant working environment.
- Assist with ordering medications, including controlled drugs, under supervision.
- Support the pharmacy team with NHS and local services where appropriate.
- Observe and learn from Qualified Dispensers, Pharmacy Technicians, and the Pharmacist.
- Participate in training, complete apprenticeship tasks, and update their learning portfolio.
Where you'll work
22 Gillygate
York
YO31 7EQ
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
The apprentice will complete their training through a combination of structured learning and practical experience in the pharmacy. Most training will take place on site during working hours, where they will be supervised and supported by qualified Pharmacy Dispensers, a Pharmacy Technician, and the Pharmacist.
They will also be enrolled onto the Level 2 Dispensing Assistant course, delivered online by the apprenticeship training provider. Off-the-job learning will typically take place one day per week, which may include e-learning modules, assignments, virtual workshops, and progress reviews. The apprentice will be given protected study time to complete coursework and build their training portfolio.
All assessments, reviews, and support sessions will be arranged in collaboration with the training provider, with regular check-ins to monitor progress and ensure they develop the skills required to become a competent Pharmacy Dispenser.
More training information
The apprenticeship training will be delivered in partnership with an approved training provider, who will support the apprentice throughout the programme with regular reviews, online learning modules, and progress assessments. The course is structured to combine workplace learning with off-the-job training, allowing the apprentice to apply new skills in real situations while gaining confidence and competence. The training provider will guide the apprentice through each stage of the programme, ensure all requirements for the level 2 qualification are met, and provide additional academic and pastoral support where needed.
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
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Non judgemental
- Patience
About this employer
Community Pharmacy
After this apprenticeship
After completing the apprenticeship and achieving the Level 2 Dispensing Assistant qualification, the apprentice can progress into a permanent role as a qualified Pharmacy Dispenser within the community pharmacy team. With further experience, they may choose to advance to the Level 3 Pharmacy Technician qualification, leading to registration with the GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician.
Additional future pathways include roles such as Accuracy Checking Technician (ACT), Pharmacy Supervisor, or specialising in areas such as medicines management, community health services, or progressing into pharmacy management.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BUTTERCUPS TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000000693.
Apply now
Closes in 17 days (Friday 5 December 2025 at 11:59pm)
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