Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

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North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) are working towards merging as one organisation from July 2026.

This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Should you join NBT as an employee prior to our organisations merging, your employment will be automatically transferred across to UHBW. Should your employment begin after our two Trusts merge, you will be employed directly by UHBW and therefore UHBW terms and conditions of service will apply

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job Overview

Are you interested in training to become a qualified Pharmacy Technician? This is a fantastic opportunity to start your pharmacy career while earning and learning through a structured Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship, leading to registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

This is a full-time, 2-year fixed-term training programme based at Southmead Hospital, combining workplace learning with structured study. You’ll rotate through key areas of the pharmacy department—including patient services and medicines supply—developing the knowledge and practical skills needed to support patients throughout their hospital stay.

You will be supported by an experienced Pharmacy Learning and Development Team, alongside external training providers. The programme includes a mix of online learning, study days, and hands-on experience, so you’ll need to be motivated, organised, and able to manage your own learning.

You will need to have a minimum of four GCSE passes (C/4 grade or above or equivalent) in Mathematics, English and Science and one other. You will need to be self-driven, have good communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to react to changing situations.

Internal employees within Pharmacy at Band 3 and above will be capped at Band 3.

Course start date: September 2026

Main duties of the job

Undertake the Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship programme, completing both academic and workplace-based learning Rotate through different areas of the pharmacy department to gain a broad range of skills and experience Complete a portfolio of evidence and assessments to demonstrate competence and knowledge Carry out tasks and objectives set by your Workplace Training Supervisor and the Learning and Development Team Work within Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under supervision Meet all required deadlines and learning outcomes as part of the apprenticeship programme

Please note: successful completion of all educational components within the contract period is a requirement of the role. Failure to meet these requirements may result in termination of the contract.

To understand more about working within Pharmacy at NBT, click here to watch our video.

Working for our organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered

We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services. North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy

Please note to be eligible for the apprenticeship you must:

Be over the age of 18 Have lived in the UK/EEA for the past 3 years Have the legal right to work and live in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship. If you require a visa, it must allow you to work and undertake an apprenticeship. Visa's issued solely for educational or study purposes do not meet the eligibility requirements Not be currently working towards any other government funded training programme Hold GCSE Maths , English and Science at minimum of Grade C/4 and be able to evidence this as part of your application

Main Duties

A 2 year fixed term rotational training post to learn and put into practice the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). To successfully complete the Pharmacy Technician Course to enable registration with the GPhC. This is a competency and knowledge-based qualification to be delivered both by formal education & training via the Education Provider, online, in the workplace and, where required, face to face. The post holder’s progress will be monitored and supported by a Workplace Training Supervisor. To undertake, on a rotational basis, a wide range of duties which includes dispensing, medicines supply, procurement and stock control, ward based services, and medicines management and counselling of patients. There may be the requirement to work across other sites depending on service needs and rotations. To undertake, on a rotational basis, a range of smaller taster placements deemed appropriate to provide exposure and experience relevant to pharmacy practice e.g. PCN, pharmacy production etc All duties carried out by the Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician will be under direct supervision and are operating within Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

4 GCSE passes grade C/4 or above including Maths, English and Science (or equivalent) – (certificates to be brought to interview)

Desirable criteria

A level qualification in Maths, English or Science Pharmacy Level 2 dispenser qualification Pharmacy Level 2 medicines counter assistant qualification

Work Experience

Desirable criteria

Previous Hospital Pharmacy employment Previous primary care/community pharmacy experience

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

Ability to react to changing situations required by the organisation on a daily basis and liaise with staff accordingly Ability to meet required deadlines for qualification and work tasks Good communication and interpersonal skills Ability to follow standard operating procedures and work to a high degree of accuracy Standard I.T. competencies in Word, PowerPoint and Excel or equivalent programs Organisational skills and the ability to maintain an online portfolio of work-based experience

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential criteria

Self-motivated individual with an organised and logical approach to work and learning Able to deal and communicate professionally with all levels of staff, patients and stakeholders. Demonstrate understanding and empathy when required. Ability to deal with sensitive issues and high-pressure situations. Meet the criteria to enrol onto the apprenticeship Staff are required to work any combination of hours between 08:00 – 19:00. Shift patterns will be allocated once appointed, and will include weekend working on a rotational basis

Please note that if you apply for a position with North Bristol NHS Trust, you may be contacted via TRAC or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your TRAC Account and email accounts including junk and spam folders.

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel 0117 414 1151.

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.