Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- % of Band 4 in line with AfC
- Contract
- Fixed term: 2 years (Payment in line with other PTPTs as per AFC)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm. Occasional Saturdays and Bank Holidays)
- Job ref
- 364-A-9501
- Employer
- Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Chelford Court, Unit E and F
- Town
- Chelmsford
- Salary
- £23,874.96 (role is approx 75% of Band 4 in line with AfC)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 20/11/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician
% of Band 4 in line with AfC
Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk.
We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.
You’ll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive.
The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.
We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years.
We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.
We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.
Join us and you’ll do the best work of your life – and make a difference to other people’s lives. What we do together, matters.
Job overview
We have an opportunity for a dynamic, enthusiastic and dedicated individual to train to become a registered pharmacy technician.
If you have an interest in medicines, show attention to detail and want to fulfil a key role in supporting patient healthcare then this is the perfect opportunity for you.
This is a rewarding and challenging role that enables you to be in gainful, full time employment whilst completing a formal training programme that leads to a nationally recognised professional registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
The apprenticeship will involve:
- Enrolment onto a 2 year education programme through the University of East Anglia (UEA), that provides the underpinning knowledge to become a registered pharmacy technician
- Practical training in the workplace to develop skills across multiple pharmacy departments
- Collecting evidence, completing assignments and creating a portfolio, to demonstrate your application of knowledge and skill
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post and other Pharmacy Qualifications including overseas Pharmacy Qualifications would result in ineligibility for the apprenticeship funding and as such we are not able to consider applicants who have these qualifications.
Main duties of the job
Pharmacy technicians manage the supply of medicines in a pharmacy, assist with advisory services, and are responsible for carrying out routine and specialist services, including highly complex activities requiring them to use their professional judgement. They are expected to work both individually and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and have a positive attitude, self-discipline and show initiative.
They are able to work with minimum supervision, with a high degree of autonomy, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work that they have undertaken, and that of others. They also develop leadership skills that reflect the regulatory requirements of the profession.
You will be trained with the knowledge and skills to optimise patients’ use of medicines:
- In the dispensary to dispense medication, receive and validate prescriptions, communicate with patients and healthcare professionals, manage pharmacy stock of medicines, including controlled drugs.
- In the ward setting: Work as part of a multi-professional team to check patient’s own drugs and supply medications for individuals, take drug histories, undertake medicines reconciliation, counsel patients on the use of their medicines as required under supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.
Working for our organisation
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
- Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
- Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
- If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
- We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
Benefits
- 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
- Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
- Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
- £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
- Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
Work that wraps around your needs
- Work bank: You can use the opportunity to supplement your income and develop your skills by working bank shifts.
- Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
- Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will work within the pharmacy environment while studying for the Certificate of Higher Education in Pharmacy Technician Practice through the University of East Anglia. The next cohort begins on the 23rd February 2026 and we are looking for the successful candidate to be in post for that time.
The programme will combine some or all of the following elements: work-based learning, distance learning, classroom learning (face-to-face or video), residential study days, network study days, private study and completion of assignments. It will require a very strong commitment to private study in your own time.
You will require a minimum of 4 GCSEs grade A* - C (new grades 9 - 4) or equivalent including:
- GCSE English at Grade C/Level 4 or above, Scottish National 5 or above, or equivalent English language evidence which can include Functional Skills Level 2*
- GCSE Maths at Grade C/Level 4, Scottish National 5 or above, or equivalent evidence of numeracy which can include Functional Skills Level 2
- GCSE Science x 1 at Grade C/Level 4 or above, or Scottish National 5 or equivalent
*PLEASE NOTE that English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is not an equivalent to GCSE English Grade C/Level 4 or above and does not meet the entry requirements.
Please read the Job Description and Person Specification for the full list of entry requirements for this post.
The training post is based initially at our pharmacy in Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3AG, working 37.5 hours per week (may include weekend, bank holiday, early and late working rotas, as required) but will require working in our clinical locations across the EPUT Region which spans the whole county. As such a full driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential as many of the locations are not accessible by public transport.
You must have a valid driving licence for the UK, with access to a vehicle for work purposes, as the post involves visiting a range of hospital and other locations across the EPUT region which spans the county.
We are looking for candidates who can start on the 16/02/2026.
If you feel you have the personal qualities required for this apprenticeship post we would like to receive your application.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post and other Pharmacy Qualifications including overseas Pharmacy Qualifications would result in ineligibility for the apprenticeship funding and as such we are not able to consider applicants who have these qualifications.
For further details / informal visits please contact: Adam Jones - Pharmacy Operational Business Manager on 07581050355.
Person specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
- 4 GCSEs (A*-C or 9-4) or equivalent including English, Maths and Science
Desirable criteria
- NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy
Skills / Experience
Essential criteria
- Ability to work under pressure
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- IT Skills (Microsoft Packages)
- Accurate with Attention to Detail
- Experience of working to Deadlines
Desirable criteria
- Pharmacy / Hospital Experience
- Awareness of Information Governance and Patient Confidentiality
- Dispensing Experience
- Knowledge and Understanding of Standard Operating Procedures
Personal qualities
Essential criteria
- Ability to work within a Team or Independently
- Car Driver and Ability to Travel Throughout the EPUT Region & to attend Study Days
- Methodical and logical in approach to tasks
- Understands and works within their own professional limitations
- Commitment to study in their own time
Desirable criteria
- Ability to understand and empathise with people suffering from mental illness
- Identifies and Understands the Trust Values
- Keen to learn and develop as a registered Pharmacy Technician
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Adam Jones
- Job title
- Pharmacy Operational Business Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07581050355
- Additional information
Shaheen Allymohamed - Dispensary Manager on 07773046969
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