University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Apprentice Pre-registration Pharmacy Technician

The closing date is 23 November 2026

Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic candidates to work as a pre-registration Pharmacy Technician. The successful candidates will undertake a BTEC Level 3 apprenticeship, in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians with the view to register with the GPhC upon completion.

Pharmacy Technicians working within the Trust improve the quality of care of patients by provision of an efficient medicines management service.

You will gain experience in all aspects of pharmacy services including ward based pharmacy where you will be interviewing patients about their medications on admission, work as part of the multidisciplinary team to ensure all medications are available for the patient, including the provision of discharge medication. You will be trained in dispensing, preparation of sterile products, stock management and procurement. You will get protected study each week, and support from the Education and Training team.

This is an exciting time to train and to be a Pharmacy Technician. The role is currently expanding and developing. If you enjoy a challenge, love learning new things and working as part of a supportive, hardworking and friendly team, this could be the role for you.

Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

Interviews to be held on the 7th and 8th of December 2026

Main duties of the job

• To rotate throughout the department during a 2-year period in order to gain relevant experience to complete a pharmacy apprenticeship in level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Services.
• To attend college to gain underpinning knowledge to complete BTEC level 3 in principles and practice for pharmacy technicians.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details
Date posted: 09 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year
70% of a band 4 year 1 and 75% of a band 4 year 2
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 2 years
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 216-LT-CO8360583
Job locations: University Hospital Plymouth, Derriford road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
To work in all areas of the department in a training capacity and under supervision, to learn skills and knowledge, and to become aware of department policies and procedures. To undertake essential academic training to achieve BTEC level 3 in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians. To gain experience in applying theoretical knowledge to practical skills. Work will be subject to continuous assessment. To produce a portfolio of evidence to prove sufficient competence. To undertake general dispensary duties, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and within the legal framework (Medicines and regulations act human)

• Reception - receive prescriptions, ensuring prescription payments are made when necessary.
• Labelling - generate accurate medication labels.
• Dispensing - accurately dispense inpatient, outpatient and discharge prescriptions, including clinical trials, cytotoxic drugs and controlled drugs.
• Issue drugs under supervision - to patients and carers, counselling as appropriate, including giving sensitive information on drug therapies.
• Issue drugs - to healthcare professionals, giving advice when necessary.

To investigate dispensary stock balance discrepancies within personal limitations, referring to appropriate person when necessary. To assist in maintaining optimal stock levels within the dispensary, liaising with patients, colleagues and ward staff to ensure that immediate and future needs can be met. To follow safe and efficient systems of work in accordance with relevant legislation e.g. Medicines and regulations act human. Control of Substance Hazardous to Health and Standard Operating Procedures. To use the pharmacy computer system efficiently and to maximum benefit. To participate in departmental audits. To report all dispensing errors using the dispensary error reporting scheme.

For further information please see attached job description and person specification

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential: Minimum of 4 GCSE's grade 4-9 (C or above) including English, Maths, science (double or triple science is accepted or BTEC L3 in applied science)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: University Hospital Plymouth, Derriford road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Education & Training Pharmacy Technician, Brian Fulton, brian.fulton@nhs.net, 01752439360

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