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Apprentice Pharmacy Services Assistant
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This is a great opportunity for someone who is keen to get into Pharmaceuticals
You will be working alongside pharmacy technicians while under the supervision of the pharmacist. This employer values apprenticeships and will provide all the support you will need to thrive in this environment.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working
You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Handling customer queries with confidence
- Collection of prescription charges/checking patient exemption statements
- Operation of efficient stock control appropriate to the needs of the dispensary with the objective of ensuring continuity of supply for patients and minimising wastage
- Ensuring that drugs are received and stored in an appropriate manner in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions
- Ensuring that refrigerated items are stored at the appropriate temperature and maintaining the temperature control record/logbook
- Ensuring that all dispensary equipment is kept clean and kept in good working order
- Maintaining full and accurate records of all dispensing transactions
- Ordering and unpacking drugs and dressings
- Dispensing and checking repeat prescriptions and prescriptions from surgeries under the supervision of a dispenser
- Taking orders for repeats and dealing with queries from district nurses and support staff
- Using the computer to keep records up-to-date
- Dealing with queries from patients regarding their prescriptions
- Handling controlled drugs (and keeping register)
- Handling prescription money and operating/balancing the till
- Assisting when required to meet targets in relation to dispensing doctors' scheme
- Assisting in stock checks
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE
Training course
Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels
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
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Training schedule
This is a Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant Standard that includes the following:
- The training will be delivered by BMet - Matthew Boulton College on a day-release delivery model. At least 20% (1 day per week) of your working hours will be spent training or studying
- Apprentices are graded according to their performance in the EPA
- Upon successful completion the apprentice will achieve a Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 qualification
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Requirements
Essential qualifications
- GCSE or equivalent in:
- English (grade 4 or above)
- Maths (grade 4 or above)
Desirable qualifications
- GCSE or equivalent in:
- Science (grade 4 or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
As part of this apprenticeship, you will be required to travel to both the employer location and also attend college one day a week. Please ensure that you have researched your travel arrangements and are happy with the time it will take and distance required to travel, before you apply for this vacancy. Progression onto the Level 3 apprenticeship requires an apprentice to have a qualification in Science.
About this employer
We are an independent NHS Community Pharmacy serving the people of Smethwick. As a local community pharmacy, we can offer a wide range of services and facilities for you and your family. We provide NHS flu jabs, emergency hormonal contraception (morning after pill), free NHS blood pressure checks and free NHS prescription delivery across Smethwick, Oldbury, B66, B67 and surrounding areas.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay.
Following successful completion of the training an apprentice could be:
- Qualified to work as a dispensing assistant in Community Pharmacies
- Should they wish to continue training, accuracy-checking roles present an interesting progression, and further training can lead to a pharmacy technician qualification, meaning registration with the GPhC and a qualification which is recognised in the wider NHS
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE
BMET Recruitment Team
0121 362 1122
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045681.
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