Closing date: 28 July 2026

Job summary
Trainee Pharmacy Technicians will learn to perform the duties of a hospital-based Pharmacy Technician under the support and guidance of Pharmacy Staff. Trainee Pharmacy Technicians will complete competencies in the workplace and the Certificate of Higher Education in Pharmacy Technician Practice, which is delivered by the University of East Anglia. On commencement of the two-year course the post-holder will be based in the dispensary building the Pharmacy Technician foundation skill set, which includes receiving prescriptions, labelling and dispensing medication, and accuracy checking medication, counselling patients and providing our patients with great customer service. Year two, moves towards regular supervised ward visits in order to complete the ward-based modules. These modules focus on medicines optimisation and involve direct patient contact and build on the foundation skill set moving towards enhanced counselling sessions, medicines reconciliation and patient own medication assessment. As an apprentice you will be working towards the following job description and will not be expected to perform the full duties of the role until your competencies are signed off.

Main duties of the job
Education and Training
The Trainee Pharmacy Technician will:

• Attend all study days at the University of East Anglia as required and complete all portfolio requirements in order to attain the UEA Certificate of Higher Education in Pharmacy Technician Practice.
• Complete all in-house competencies in areas of pharmacy in which they work.
• Follow the General Pharmaceutical Council's Standards for Pharmacy professionals and to attain the knowledge, attitude and behaviours expected of registered Pharmacy Technicians.

Dispensary

• To work in the Dispensary undertaking Reception duties; dispensing of all medicines including Controlled Drugs; Cytotoxic medications and Clinical Trials. Counselling patients on their medications. reviewing PODs prior to discharge within the Dispensary.
• To assist in the training of new staff within the Dispensary.
• To complete the accreditation for Final Accuracy Checking of dispensed medicines to meet the Pharmacy Technician qualification and to meet in-house competencies by the end of the 2-year training period.

Medicines Management

• Have direct patient contact in the ward environment, completing Medicines Reconciliations and Patients Own Drug Checks.
• Counselling patients on new or changed medicines.
• Managing ward stocks and liaising with Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists and Medicines Management Pharmacy Technicians.

About us
There's never been a more exciting time to join TeamQEH. We're working on a once in a generation opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art hospital due to open in 2031/32 and we are also carrying out on one of the biggest pieces of digital transformation work we've ever undertaken. Our new electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper-based patient records from 2026 and will lead to better, safer, joined-up care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and beyond. At The QEH we provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambs and South Lincs. We are an ambitious organisation that upholds our values of kindness, wellness and fairness. We strive for continuous quality improvement, recently demonstrated in our 2024 CQC maternity inspection rating our services as 'Good', and we are proud to be a place to learn and grow through recognised learning and apprenticeships. We recognise and reward our 4,000 staff and volunteers, priding ourselves on a community atmosphere and positive team spirit. We have approx. 530 beds across 33 wards and have newly built education and training facilities, a range of modern award-winning centres alongside a talented team of people ready to give you a warm welcome. We love working here and think you will too.

Date posted: 14 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 30 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 426-370-26TAM
Job locations: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gayton Road, King's Lynn, PE30 4ET, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further information about this role.

Person Specification
Qualifications/training and professional development
Essential

• 4 GCSE'S grade C/4 or above to include English Mathematics and a Science

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills

Experience
Essential

• Ability to work in an organised manner, in a busy environment

Desirable

• Experience of working in a Pharmacy Department or knowledge of Pharmacy

Skills, abilities and knowledge
Essential

• Good Interpersonal skills
• Good mathematical skills
• Ability to work in an accurate manner, following accepted methods of good practice and laid down SOP's
• Good attention to detail
• Flexible approach to working on a daily basis

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

For questions about the job, contact:
Education and Training Pharmacy Technician, Anita Franklin, anita.franklin@qehkl.nhs.uk, 01553613127

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