Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician

Job description

Please be aware that, due to current allocation constraints, Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) are being prioritised for registered roles at this time.

Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk.

We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.

You'll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive.

The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.

We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years.

We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.

We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.

Join us and you'll do the best work of your life - and make a difference to other people's lives. What we do together, matters.

Job overview

We have an opportunity for a dynamic, enthusiastic and dedicated individual to train to become a registered pharmacy technician.

If you have an interest in medicines, show attention to detail and want to fulfil a key role in supporting patient healthcare then this is the perfect opportunity for you.

This is a rewarding and challenging role that enables you to be in gainful, full time employment whilst completing a formal training programme that leads to a nationally recognised professional registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

The apprenticeship will involve:

• Enrolment onto a 2 year education programme through the University of East Anglia (UEA), that provides the underpinning knowledge to become a registered pharmacy technician
• Practical training in the workplace to develop skills across multiple pharmacy departments
• Collecting evidence, completing assignments and creating a portfolio, to demonstrate your application of knowledge and skill

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post and other Pharmacy Qualifications including overseas Pharmacy Qualifications would result in ineligibility for the apprenticeship funding and as such we are not able to consider applicants who have these qualifications.

Main duties of the job

Pharmacy technicians manage the supply of medicines in a pharmacy, assist with advisory services, and are responsible for carrying out routine and specialist services, including highly complex activities requiring them to use their professional judgement. They are expected to work both individually and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and have a positive attitude, self-discipline and show initiative.

They are able to work with minimum supervision, with a high degree of autonomy, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work that they have undertaken, and that of others. They also develop leadership skills that reflect the regulatory requirements of the profession.

You will be trained with the knowledge and skills to optimise patients' use of medicines:

• In the dispensary to dispense medication, receive and validate prescriptions, communicate with patients and healthcare professionals, manage pharmacy stock of medicines, including controlled drugs.
• In the ward setting: Work as part of a multi-professional team to check patient's own drugs and supply medications for individuals, take drug histories, undertake medicines reconciliation, counsel patients on the use of their medicines as required under supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main 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 September 2026 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:

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Chelmsford

Type of Contract

Full Time Jobs

Salary indication

Between £28,392 and £31,157 Per Year

Published at

18-07-2026

Profession type

Health / Medical

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No