Job summary
Are you passionate about healthcare and looking to start a career in pharmacy?
We are offering an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician Apprentice. This two-year training post is a fixed term training contract starting 23rd February 2026 - ending February 2028 combines hands-on experience across multiple pharmacy departments with structured learning, leading to a nationally recognised qualification and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Youll be part of a dynamic and supportive team, rotating through various pharmacy services across our hospital sites, including dispensary, wards, stores, technical services, purchasing, and medicines information. This role is ideal for someone enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and committed to learning and development.
You will rotate through:
Dispensary: Dispense medications, counsel patients, manage stock, and operate automated systems.
Wards: Participate in ward-based pharmacy services, medicines reconciliation, and discharge planning.
Pharmacy Stores: Receive and issue drugs, manage stock levels, and ensure proper storage.
Pharmacy Office: Process orders and invoices, maintain records, and liaise with suppliers.
Technical Services: Shadow aseptic compounding and manage clinical trial materials.
Medicines Information: Handle enquiries, perform literature searches, and assist with drug recalls.
Main duties of the job
Identify, select and issue drugs against prescriptions
Identify drugs to be booked out using Pharmacy Computer System,
to maintain stock control.
Carry out reception duties, involving dealing with patients, relatives
and all grades of healthcare workers. Deal with telephone enquiries,
receive outpatient prescriptions and handle prescription charges.
Undertake drug checks and orders at ward level and to provide a
top-up service.
Operate the automated pharmacy storage and dispensing system.
Counsel patients on existing and new medications
Participate in accurately checking dispensed medicines against
prescriptions
Participate in ward-based pharmacy, involving dealing with patients,
relatives and all grades of healthcare workers.
Review patients lockers for top-up supplies to prepare for
discharge
Participate in medicines reconciliation including taking drug
histories.
Counsel patients on existing and new medications
Identify, select and issue drugs.
Identify and receive drugs against an official order, using the
Pharmacy Computer System to update stock levels.
Deal with telephone enquiries, ward/department and community
issues.
Load and operate the automated pharmacy storage and dispensing
system.
Participate in ward top-up system.
Appropriately dispose of pharmaceutical items and packaging.
Ensure appropriate storage of pharmaceutical items
About us
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wavea national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Are you passionate about healthcare and looking to start a career in pharmacy?
We are offering an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician Apprentice. This two-year training post is a fixed term training contract starting 23rd February 2026 - ending February 2028 combines hands-on experience across multiple pharmacy departments with structured learning, leading to a nationally recognised qualification and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
You’ll be part of a dynamic and supportive team, rotating through various pharmacy services across our hospital sites, including dispensary, wards, stores, technical services, purchasing, and medicines information. This role is ideal for someone enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and committed to learning and development.
- Participate in a structured training programme including study days, distance learning, and on-the-job training.
- Rotate through key pharmacy areas including dispensary, wards, stores, technical services, purchasing, and medicines information.
- Support Pharmacy Technicians in dispensing, stock control, patient counselling, and medicines reconciliation.
- Operate automated pharmacy systems and assist with audits and data management.
- Maintain accurate records and follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Attend all mandatory training and comply with health and safety standards.
- Undertake study in personal time and complete all assessments and assignments.
- Attend study sessions and complete distance learning over a 2-year period.
- Complete online assignments during 20% off-the-job learning time.
- Successfully pass the end-point assessment to qualify as a registered Pharmacy Technician
You will rotate through:
- Dispensary: Dispense medications, counsel patients, manage stock, and operate automated systems.
- Wards: Participate in ward-based pharmacy services, medicines reconciliation, and discharge planning.
- Pharmacy Stores: Receive and issue drugs, manage stock levels, and ensure proper storage.
- Pharmacy Office: Process orders and invoices, maintain records, and liaise with suppliers.
- Technical Services: Shadow aseptic compounding and manage clinical trial materials.
- Medicines Information: Handle enquiries, perform literature searches, and assist with drug recalls.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) provides a full range of general acute, outpatient and diagnostic services at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, the Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford, and St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping.
Our values
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) promise to our patients, as identified by our three values which will contribute to improving our patients’ experiences, is:
Patient at heart – Always holding the patient and their wellbeing at the centre of our thoughts and efforts.
Everyday excellence – Sharing and celebrating our successes, being honest when we get it wrong, giving us the ability to learn from both.
Creative collaboration – Knowing strength comes from diversity, we combine our experiences, skills and talents, working together to find new and better ways to care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Are you passionate about healthcare and looking to start a career in pharmacy?
We are offering an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician Apprentice. This two-year training post is a fixed term training contract starting 23rd February 2026 - ending February 2028 combines hands-on experience across multiple pharmacy departments with structured learning, leading to a nationally recognised qualification and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
You’ll be part of a dynamic and supportive team, rotating through various pharmacy services across our hospital sites, including dispensary, wards, stores, technical services, purchasing, and medicines information. This role is ideal for someone enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and committed to learning and development.
- Participate in a structured training programme including study days, distance learning, and on-the-job training.
- Rotate through key pharmacy areas including dispensary, wards, stores, technical services, purchasing, and medicines information.
- Support Pharmacy Technicians in dispensing, stock control, patient counselling, and medicines reconciliation.
- Operate automated pharmacy systems and assist with audits and data management.
- Maintain accurate records and follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Attend all mandatory training and comply with health and safety standards.
- Undertake study in personal time and complete all assessments and assignments.
- Attend study sessions and complete distance learning over a 2-year period.
- Complete online assignments during 20% off-the-job learning time.
- Successfully pass the end-point assessment to qualify as a registered Pharmacy Technician
You will rotate through:
- Dispensary: Dispense medications, counsel patients, manage stock, and operate automated systems.
- Wards: Participate in ward-based pharmacy services, medicines reconciliation, and discharge planning.
- Pharmacy Stores: Receive and issue drugs, manage stock levels, and ensure proper storage.
- Pharmacy Office: Process orders and invoices, maintain records, and liaise with suppliers.
- Technical Services: Shadow aseptic compounding and manage clinical trial materials.
- Medicines Information: Handle enquiries, perform literature searches, and assist with drug recalls.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) provides a full range of general acute, outpatient and diagnostic services at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, the Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford, and St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping.
Our values
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) promise to our patients, as identified by our three values which will contribute to improving our patients’ experiences, is:
Patient at heart – Always holding the patient and their wellbeing at the centre of our thoughts and efforts.
Everyday excellence – Sharing and celebrating our successes, being honest when we get it wrong, giving us the ability to learn from both.
Creative collaboration – Knowing strength comes from diversity, we combine our experiences, skills and talents, working together to find new and better ways to care.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 4 GCSEs or equivalent in Maths, English, Science and one other, grade C/level 4 or above
Desirable
- NVQ level 2 Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Good communication skills, both written and oral
Desirable
- Hospital Experience
- Pharmaceutical Experience
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 4 GCSEs or equivalent in Maths, English, Science and one other, grade C/level 4 or above
Desirable
- NVQ level 2 Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Good communication skills, both written and oral
Desirable
- Hospital Experience
- Pharmaceutical Experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
