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Home · Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust · Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic & enthusiastic individual to join our Pharmacy team as a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT).

If you are interested in medicines & healthcare, have excellent attention to detail & want to develop a rewarding career supporting patient care, this could be the opportunity for you.

This is a full-time paid apprenticeship, combining workplace training with a two-year education programme with the University of East Anglia (UEA), leading towards professional registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC.

You will gain practical experience across pharmacy services while completing academic learning, assignments & a training portfolio. You will be supported by experienced pharmacy colleagues throughout your development.

Use of AI: We want to hear about you & your motivation for becoming a Pharmacy Technician. AI may support your application, but your responses should reflect your own knowledge, experiences & interests. You should be prepared to discuss these at interview.

PLEASE NOTE: Sponsorship is not available. Appointment is subject to UEA programme & apprenticeship funding eligibility, including assessment of previous qualifications & prior learning.

Previous qualifications & prior learning will be assessed to determine eligibility for apprenticeship funding & whether any recognition of prior learning applies.

Main duties of the job

You will work alongside pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other healthcare professionals, undertaking duties appropriate to your stage of training and competence, under appropriate supervision, with increasing responsibility as you progress.

Your duties will include:

  • Dispensary: receiving and processing prescriptions, accurately dispensing medicines, communicating with patients and healthcare professionals, and supporting the safe management of medicines and pharmacy stock, including controlled drugs.
  • Ward and clinical services: working within multidisciplinary teams to check patients' own medicines, obtain medication histories, undertake medicines reconciliation and support the supply of medicines for individual patients.
  • Patient care: communicating with and counselling patients about their medicines, appropriate to your competence and under supervision.
  • Medicines management: supporting the safe, effective and efficient use of medicines across different healthcare settings.
  • Developing professional judgement, accountability, communication, teamwork, organisation and leadership skills while working within your level of competence.

As your skills develop, you will demonstrate increasing initiative and responsibility for the quality and accuracy of your work, while recognising when advice or supervision is required.

Details

  • Date posted: 02 November 2026
  • Closing date: 15 November 2026
  • Pay scheme: Agenda for change
  • Band: Band 4
  • Salary: £24,853 a year (role is a proportion of Band 4 in line with annex 21 of AfC)
  • Contract: Fixed term
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Working pattern: Full-time
  • Reference number: 364-B-594
  • Job locations: Chelford Court, Unit E and F, 37 Robjohns Road, Chelmsford, CM13AG, United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will work within the pharmacy environment while studying for the Certificate of Higher Education in Pharmacy Technician Practice through the University of East Anglia. The next cohort begins in February 2027 and we are looking for the successful candidate to be in post for that time.

The programme will combine some or all of the following elements: work-based learning, distance learning, classroom learning (face-to-face or video), residential study days, network study days, private study and completion of assignments. It will require a very strong commitment to private study in your own time.

You will require a minimum of 4 GCSEs grade A* - C (new grades 9 - 4) or equivalent including:

  • GCSE English at Grade C/Level 4 or above, Scottish National 5 or above, or equivalent English language evidence which can include Functional Skills Level 2*
  • GCSE Maths at Grade C/Level 4, Scottish National 5 or above, or equivalent evidence of numeracy which can include Functional Skills Level 2
  • GCSE Science x 1 at Grade C/Level 4 or above, or Scottish National 5 or equivalent

In place of English and maths GCSEs, we may be able to consider Functional Skills L2.

For applicants whose first language is not English, we may require evidence of proficiency in English (including reading, writing, speaking and listening) at the following level:

IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components)

We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications and recognise some applicants might take a mixture of different qualifications. If you hold or are working towards any alternative qualifications at a similar level, including any qualifications taken outside of the UK, we will work with your employer/prospective employer to establish eligibility for entry to the course. For more information, contact:[email protected].

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification for the full list of entry requirements for this post.

The training post is based initially at our pharmacy in Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3AG, working 37.5 hours per week (may include weekend, bank holiday, early and late working rotas, as required) but will require working in our clinical locations across the EPUT Region which spans the whole county. As such a full driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential as many of the locations are not accessible by public transport.

We are looking for candidates who can start in time for the February 2027 Cohort for the University of East Anglia (UEA).

If you feel you have the personal qualities required for this apprenticeship post we would like to receive your application.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post. Appointment to this role is subject to applicants meeting the eligibility requirements for apprenticeship funding and the University of East Anglia (UEA) Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship programme. Applicants who already hold pharmacy-related qualifications, including qualifications obtained overseas, will be required to declare these as part of the application and eligibility process. Previous qualifications and prior learning will be assessed to determine eligibility for apprenticeship funding and whether any recognition of prior learning applies.

For further details / informal visits please contact: Adam Jones - Pharmacy Operational Business Manager on 07581050355.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential
  • 4 GCSEs (A*-C or 9-4) or equivalent including English, Maths and Science
Desirable
  • NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy

Skills / Experience

Essential
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • IT Skills in particular adept with Microsoft Packages
  • Accurate with Attention to Detail
  • Experience of working to deadlines / assignment-based assessments
Desirable
  • Hospital Experience
  • Awareness of Information Governance and Patient Confidentiality
  • Pharmacy / Dispensing Experience
  • Knowledge and Understanding of Standard Operating Procedures

Personal qualities

Essential
  • Ability to work within a Team or Independently
  • Car Driver and Ability to Travel Throughout the EPUT Region & to attend Study Days
  • Methodical and logical in approach to tasks
  • Understands and works within their own professional limitations
  • Commitment to study in their own time
  • Reliable, flexible and enthusiastic approach to work and study.
Desirable
  • Ability to understand and empathise with people suffering from mental illness
  • Identifies and Understands the EPUT Trust Values
  • Keen to learn and develop as a registered Pharmacy Technician
  • Understands the role pharmacy plays within the health service and in particular, mental health.

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.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Work bank: You can use the opportunity to supplement your income and develop your skills by working bank shifts.
  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Employer details

  • Employer name: Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
  • Address: Chelford Court, Unit E and F, 37 Robjohns Road, Chelmsford, CM13AG, United Kingdom
  • Employer's website: https://eput.nhs.uk/