We are offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our established Primary Care Network (PCN) pharmacy team as a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician. This is a fixed-term 24-month apprenticeship.
Throughout the programme, you will gain hands-on experience across both primary care (GP practices) and community pharmacy, working under the supervision of experienced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The role involves weekly rotations between settings, giving you broad exposure to different aspects of pharmacy practice.
Working towards a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians, delivered through day release study at Bradford College. The course includes virtual classroom teaching led by college tutors and experienced healthcare professionals from the field.
Applicants must meet the minimum entry requirement of four GCSEs (grade 4/C or above) or equivalent, including Maths, English, and Science. You will also be expected to complete a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate competency in line with the apprenticeship and registration standards.
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a qualified Pharmacy Technician.
The role commences in September 2025, subject to college placement confirmation and satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks to comply with NHS Employment Check Standards.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job
Role Overview
Under the guidance of registered Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians and as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician Apprentices will support the safe preparation and supply of medicines to meet patients' needs in both Community Pharmacy and Primary Care settings.
Throughout the placement, you will be expected to demonstrate a high standard of professionalism, showing respect, discretion, and confidentiality in all aspects of your work. You will contribute positively to team dynamics, maintain a safe working environment, and play an active role in supporting patient safety, particularly through the accurate preparation and dispensing of medicines.
You should be hardworking, reliable, and a strong team player with good interpersonal skills. Effective communication is vital, as is the ability to recognize and work within the boundaries of your current competence and training.
This role is offered on a fixed-term contract for 24 months to support completion of the apprenticeship training programme. The fixed-term status will be reviewed in line with organisational policy and relevant employment legislation.
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, applicants must have been residents of the UK, EU, or EEA for at least the last three years.
The training post is salaried at 70% of the top of Band 4 in Year 1, rising to 75% in Year 2, in line with Annex 21 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service.
About us
About us
Barnsley has established one super Primary Care Network of over 250,000 patients, which includes all GP practices across Barnsley. This is supported by six Neighbourhood Networks, building on our successful and existing model of neighbourhood working; this enables us to maintain and focus on the specific needs of each local area whilst allowing integration at a borough-wide level.
Working within the Primary Care Network, you will benefit from having a large team of peers to collaborate and learn from, as well as experiencing the benefits of having ownership of the role within your small practice setting.
Job responsibilities
Community Pharmacy responsibilities:
Work under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacy professional and liaise effectively with other members of the pharmacy team.
Consistently adhere to all Standard Operating Procedures in the pharmacy setting.
Gain a thorough understanding of Medicines Optimisation and the valuable role Pharmacy Technicians play in delivering Community Pharmacy services through direct patient interaction.
Assist the Pharmacist in the retrieval and handling of electronic prescriptions, following SOP guidelines.
Receive prescriptions, verify their legality and validity, and guide patients in completing relevant declarations.
Use the pharmacy's dispensing system to maintain accurate Patient Medication Records and generate labels.
Dispense a range of prescriptions, including NHS, private prescriptions, and monitored dosage systems, ensuring accuracy in line with community pharmacy SOPs.
Hand out medications and provide clear patient counselling on appropriate medicine usage.
Safely manage the disposal of returned or unwanted medicines in compliance with disposal protocols.
Record controlled drugs in the CD register and perform regular balance checks according to legal and procedural requirements.
Manage stock processes, including ordering, receiving, storing, and maintaining inventory in line with SOPs.
Support the Pharmacist in conducting medicines reconciliation, ensuring accurate and up-to-date patient medication records, particularly during care transitions, liaising with GP practices where necessary.
Conduct over-the-counter sales and offer advice for common minor ailments under supervision.
Assist the Pharmacist in delivering key pharmacy services such as the Medicines Use Review, New Medicines Service, and Community Pharmacist Consultation Service.
Contribute to the provision of commissioned enhanced services, e.g., smoking cessation support, under supervision.
Communicate effectively with General Practice teams to resolve prescription-related queries and support seamless patient care.
General Practice Responsibilities
Work under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacy professional and liaise effectively with other members of the practice team.
Always adhere to all relevant Standard Operating Procedures within the workplace.
Gain an understanding of Medicines Optimisation and the role of Pharmacy Technicians in General Practice, including working in both face-to-face and telephone-based patient interactions.
Use the clinical IT system to document consultations, conduct searches, and communicate via tasks with other healthcare professionals.
Process prescription requests from patients, care home staff, community pharmacists, and GPs within 48 hours for routine prescriptions and on the same day for urgent requests, including directing prescriptions to out-of-hours pharmacies where necessary.
Develop knowledge and support the use of practice templates for monitoring high-risk medication.
Learn to manage blood test monitoring, recalls, and reviews in line with established protocols, involving appropriate clinicians as needed.
Review hospital discharge summaries and clinical letters to reconcile medications, identify discrepancies, and escalate concerns to the pharmacist or designated GP under supervision.
Contribute to the effective management of prescribing budgets through regular audits, data analysis, and supporting cost-effective prescribing strategies, remaining aware of current incentive targets.
Assist pharmacists and clinical staff with annual medication reviews, e.g., for asthma, ensuring patients are prescribed the most cost-effective formulary items and demonstrate correct usage, e.g., inhaler technique, under supervision.
Perform regular audits of medicine storage to ensure compliance with local and national guidelines, reporting issues to the appropriate manager.
Ensure regular checking of in-practice medicines, identifying and appropriately disposing of expired stock in accordance with SOPs.
Promote medicines waste reduction through the use of appropriate resources and patient education.
Carry out patient interventions both face-to-face and via telephone as directed by the pharmacist, ensuring all consultations are properly documented and reported.
Undertake prescribing audits to assess practice or Primary Care Network prescribing patterns, benchmarking against national and local targets, and identifying areas for improvement.
Support prescription clerks by assisting with queries related to medication requests.
Contribute to the ongoing development and safety of the prescription process by resolving queries and ensuring prescriptions are issued within timelines, in collaboration with the practice pharmacist.
Assist the pharmacist in managing drug recalls, safety alerts (e.g., MHRA), and medicines supply issues.
Promote seasonal health campaigns, e.g., Stoptober, Antibiotic Awareness Week, Flu Campaigns, including creating patient-facing displays.
Encourage the use of digital health tools such as Patient Access, NHS App, and Electronic Repeat Dispensing, promoting these to patients and staff as directed by the Practice Manager.
INFORMATION SUPPORT AND RECORD KEEPING
Maintain accurate records of all activity undertaken within practices and community pharmacy.
Ensure all patient interventions are recorded on the practice/community pharmacy computer systems in accordance with procedures.
Keep accurate, retrievable records of all formal queries, data collection exercises, and audits.
Be confident and competent with using pharmacy and practice computer systems, always complying with confidentiality and data protection laws.
Understand and be able to use Word, MS Teams, Excel, internet explorer, and email.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Successfully complete a GPhC-accredited course, GPhC-recognised qualification, or GPhC-approved apprenticeship pathway to meet registration eligibility as a Pharmacy Technician.
Dedicate one day per week or equivalent to structured online learning and resources.
Commit to independent study outside working hours as needed to support learning and progression.
Complete all mandatory and statutory training relevant to each setting.
Undertake and complete local competency-based assessments as required.
Ensure the minimum work-based experience hours are achieved, in line with GPhC standards, to support registration as a qualified Pharmacy Technician.
PLANNING AND ORGANISATION: FREEDOM TO ACT
Work under supervision of a registered Pharmacist or qualified Pharmacy Technician at all times, whether in community pharmacy or primary care.
Perform all duties in line with SOPs, policies, and scope of practice as defined by the training program and regulatory standards.
The PTPT is not authorized to act independently in clinical or dispensing roles until deemed competent through assessment and sign-off.
As competencies develop, responsibilities may be carried out with reduced supervision, as formally agreed with the supervisor.
Maintain professional behaviour and adhere to GPhC guidance, reporting concerns or errors immediately.
Gradual increase in autonomy only as competence is demonstrated and documented through training and assessment.
COLLABORATIVE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
Participate in the PCNMDT.
Foster and maintain strong links with all services across the PCN.
Explore opportunities for collaborative working and initiate such relationships.
Attend ICB Medicine Optimisation Team meetings and training sessions.
Liaise with colleagues in the ICB Medicine Optimisation Team on prescribing matters to ensure consistency of patient care.
Participate in ICB projects and workstreams related to medicines.
Liaise and collaborate with colleagues in the ICB Medicine Optimisation Team for peer support.
Work with primary care to ensure compliance with CQC standards where medicines are involved.
Support public health campaigns and provide knowledge on public health programs available to the public.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Liaise with stakeholders for patient benefit, including:
* Patients and their representatives
* GPs, nurses, and practice staff
* Social prescribers, physiotherapists, physician associates, paramedics
* Community pharmacists and support staff
* ICB Medicine Optimisation Team
* Locality/GP prescribing lead
* Locality Managers
* Community nurses and allied health professionals
* Hospital staff involved in prescribing and medicines optimisation
Person Specification
Experience
* Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
* Attention to detail and accuracy.
* Ability to work to deadlines in high-pressure environments.
* Knowledge of NHS and Primary Care.
* Ability to complete an accredited course or apprenticeship pathway with a Training Provider.
* Good written and oral communication skills.
Qualifications
* Four GCSEs at grade A*-C/9-4, including English, Maths, and Science (Biology or Chemistry).
* Customer service skills and NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a DBS check for any previous convictions.
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