Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy Trainee
- Grade
- Annex 21 (band 4)
- Contract
- 24 months (Fixed term September 2025 - September 2027)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Weekend/late night/bank holiday roster)
- Job ref
- 249-7239138
- Employer
- Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Great Western Hospital Foundation Trust
- Town
- Swindon
- Salary
- £26,530 - £29,114 70% top of band 4 for 1st year. 75% top of band 4 for 2nd year
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 22/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Apprentice Trainee Pharmacy Technician
Annex 21 (band 4)
Job overview
Annex 21 - 70% top of band 4 for 1st year, 75% top of band 4 for 2nd year
Working under the leadership and guidance of UEA and GWH, the post holder will be responsible for completing a LEVEL 4 certificate in Higher education in Pharmacy Technician Practice.
The successful post holders are expected to be a part of a dynamic and progressive team and will be exposed to different sectors within the hospital setting for a diverse educational and working experience.
It is expected that the post holder will undertake in-depth, practical on-the- job training and participate in online remote learning and regional study days under the close instruction and supervision of an Educational Supervisor (ES). They will also be provided with 20% off-the -job hours (OTJH) with expectations to undertake a significant amount of self-directed study in their own time.
On completion, the post holder will be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a pharmacy technician.
Main duties of the job
Rotate through all sections of the pharmacy department in order to complete training to achieve competencies in the following areas: Dispensary, Procurement and Distribution and Clinical services (Patient-facing environment). In addition, short external placements may also be offered, giving the post-holder the opportunity to visit and understand different roles within the Pharmacy sector. Audits will be mandatory to meet Trust standards in all departments.
The successful candidate must hold a minimum of 4 GCSEs grade A* - C (new grades 9 - 4) or equivalent. They must be flexible in their approach to work and demonstrate good time management skills and a commitment to continuous professional development.
The diverse and welcoming inpatient pharmacy department will fully support you during your time with us. We will help to facilitate your training whilst giving you the opportunity to work in a busy working environment; building confidence and gaining invaluable hospital-based experience.
Working for our organisation
“Our STAR values – Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.”
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role is designed to give a comprehensive learning opportunity to gain the relevant experiences to register as a pharmacy technician. Students will be expected to work towards becoming integral members of the pharmacy team by supporting the dispensary, wards and stock management. This is done whilst completing their studies and completing the necessary evidences required by UEA.
The student will be responsible for engaging with the UEA and liaising with their educational supervisor. There will be opportunities to source placements either independently or collaboratively to further their learning experience.
Duties include but are not extensive to:
Dispensing prescriptions
Clinical Services (Patient facing)
Procurement and distribution /Ward top ups
Medicines Information
Audits (both trust and UEA)
Public Health campaigns
Health and safety
Incident reporting
This is a great opportunity to become a pharmacy technician with hospital experience and learn how you can help improve patient care and outcomes.
Please see the attached job description for full information.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Minimum of 4 GCSEs grade A* - C (new grades 9 - 4) to include Maths, English and at least 1 Science subjects
Desirable criteria
- NVQ level 2 in pharmacy services
Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to listen and undertake instruction
- Demonstrates sensitivity in dealing with staff and service users
- Ability to self-manage and to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience in a pharmacy role
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Ability to study as well as working full time
- Ability to organise allocated study time at work, and continued study in your own time to complete work to agreed deadlines
- Ability to work accurately and follow procedures, and understand importance in relation to job
- Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing
- Experience of working with IT systems and Basic Microsoft applications
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)
- Knowledge of Medicines Optimisation Principles
- Knowledge of Wholesaler Dealership Authorisation (WDA)
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
- Sarah Sammon
- Job title
- Workforce Development Lead Technician
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01793 604629
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