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Dispensary Assistant Apprentice (Central Surgery)
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About the Role
We are looking for a motivated and reliable apprentice Dispensing Assistant to join our dispensary team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is interested in starting a career in pharmacy.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What You'll Do at Work
You will support the safe and accurate preparation of prescriptions, help patients and customers, assist with stock control, and complete appropriate training while working under the supervision of experienced dispensary professionals.
As a Trainee Dispensing Assistant, you will work as part of a busy surgery team to support the dispensing and supply of medicines to patients. You will receive training and supervision while developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to work safely and effectively in a dispensary environment. The role will involve helping to process prescriptions, prepare medicines for checking, generate labels, use the surgery clinical computer system, manage stock, and provide excellent customer service.
You do not need to have any previous experience of working in a dispensary or pharmacy and you will not be expected to work independently at first; all dispensing duties will be carried out under appropriate supervision until you are trained and assessed as competent. You will also be expected to follow dispensary standard operating procedures, maintain patient confidentiality, work accurately, and raise any queries or concerns with the dispensary manager or senior member of the team.
This role is suitable for someone who is organised, careful, willing to learn, and interested in supporting patient care. The successful candidate will complete the Pharmacy Services apprenticeship standard.
Duties:
- Assist with receiving, interpreting and processing prescriptions under appropriate supervision
- Accurately assemble medicines ready for final checking by the team
- Use the clinical computer system to produce labels, update patient records and support prescription processing
- Refer medication queries, prescription issues, patient concerns or potential errors to a GP or supervisor
- Support the safe handout of prescriptions in line with workplace procedures
- Provide polite, professional and helpful service to patients and customers
- Answer general queries within the limits of the role and refer clinical or complex questions to the dispensary manager
- Receive, check, put away and rotate stock deliveries
- Support expiry date checking, stock control, ordering and returns
- Maintain a clean, tidy and safe dispensary and pharmacy environment
- Follow standard operating procedures, health and safety requirements, safeguarding procedures and confidentiality rules
- Report near misses, incidents, dispensing errors or concerns in line with company procedures
- Complete all required training, coursework and workplace assessments within agreed timescales
- Work as part of the wider surgery team to support safe, efficient and patient-focused services
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Where You'll Work
CENTRAL SURGERY
KING ST
BARTON ON HUMBER
S HUMBERSIDE
DN18 5ER
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training Provider
BUTTERCUPS TRAINING LIMITED
Training Course
Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
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
Training Schedule
Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2.
Buttercups Training is a trusted specialist in pharmacy and healthcare training, supporting learners and employers across community, hospital, and primary care. We design high-quality, career-shaping apprenticeship programmes that build confidence, strengthen clinical practice, and meet the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce. Our collaborative learning approach encourages shared insight and practical application, helping professionals grow together to deliver safer care and better patient outcomes across the organisations and communities they serve.
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Essential Qualifications
GCSE in:
- English and Maths (grade 4/C or above, or equivalent.)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Team working
- Numeracy skills
- Willingness to learn
- Customer service skills
- Reliable & punctual
- Willing to learn and develop
- Careful and accurate
- Honest and trustworthy
- Professional and respectful
- Friendly and approachable
- Calm under pressure
- Patient-focused
- Ask for help when unsure
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Positive attitude
- Responsible & safety-conscious
Other Requirements
- Confidence using a computer and IT systems, with a willingness to learn new systems
- Ability to follow written procedures and instructions
- Ability to work accurately in a busy environment
- Committed to maintaining confidentiality
- Positive attitude towards training and feedback
Applicants without formal qualifications may still be considered if they can demonstrate suitable literacy, numeracy, communication skills and a willingness to complete the required training.
About This Employer
We are a GP surgery with approx 17000. We have a large team of clinicians and non-clinical staff who work together to provide our local and extended community at our sites in Barton and Goxhill
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After This Apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This role provides an excellent starting point for a career in pharmacy and healthcare. Following successful completion of training, the candidate may have opportunities to progress into roles such as Pre-registration Pharmacy Technician, or wider roles in healthcare, medicines management, administration or training.
Ask a Question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BUTTERCUPS TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042358.
Apply Now
Closes in 6 days (Monday 20 July 2026)
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