Pharmacy Dispenser Apprenticeship - Citywide Health (Poppleton Pharmacy)

Summary

Your apprenticeship will involve working alongside our qualified dispensing team, learning how to become a Pharmacy Dispenser. Our 18-month apprenticeship will gain a specialised certificate, which is a requirement to work in any pharmacy. Duties include dispensing medication and supporting with housekeeping duties such as stock rotation.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

£8.00 per hour for 40 hours per week

Training course

Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)

Hours

We have 7 pharmacies situated around York and operating at different hours. Apprenticeships may involve evenings and weekend working but are dependent on the pharmacy opening times. Days and shifts are to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

4

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Your day-to-day duties will include:

• Working alongside a fully trained and diverse dispensing team, helping in the prescription process
• Dealing with customer requests and queries, both in person and over the phone
• Liaising with doctors' surgeries and other healthcare professionals
• Completing your coursework in a timely manner
• Keep up to date with current pharmacy practice, new drugs and their uses
• Respect and maintain confidentiality of information concerning customers, colleagues, company policies and statistics in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) from 25th May 2018

Where you'll work

Citywide Health - Poppleton Pharmacy
The Green
Upper Poppleton
York
YO26 6DF

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

BRADFORD COLLEGE

Training course

Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• receive and log prescriptions
• assemble prescribed items, undertake an in-process accuracy check and issue prescribed items
• work according to legislative requirements, and organisational policies
• order, receive, maintain and issue pharmaceutical stock
• provide appropriate advice when authorised on supplied medicines and products, their storage and disposal
• work within the parameters of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the pharmacy
• act in accordance with systems and organisational governance
• recognise and act within the pharmacy regulatory, legal and ethical standards
• support the team in the development of others
• maintain and further develop your own skills and knowledge through development activities; maintain evidence of your personal development and actively prepare for and participate in appraisal
• communicate effectively with the public, carers and other health and social care professionals using a range of techniques to determine their needs, and keep information confidential
• handle information (record, report and store information) related to individuals and/or patients in line with local and national policies
• use pharmacy IT systems and other IT resources according to legislative requirements and organisational policies
• demonstrate person centred care and support within a pharmacy setting
• make pharmacy patients and patient safety your first concern
• use judgement and refer service user as appropriate to another member of the team, GP, healthcare worker, manufacturer etc
• maintain the interests of patients and the health of the public
• promote and advocate equality, diversity and inclusion
• promote healthy lifestyles to customers
• work safely within the parameters of your role using Standard Operating Procedures
• apply policies which relate to health and safety at work
• act appropriately in situations to prevent harm to yourself and others

Training schedule

• Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
• All the training is on-site, and you do not need to attend off-site college days to complete this apprenticeship
• When you successfully complete the training, you will receive a Level 2 Pharmacy Dispenser qualification, which is a requirement to work in any pharmacy in the UK
• Apprentices without level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level via Functional Skills and take the test for level 2 English and maths prior to taking the end point assessment

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Patience

Other requirements

The ideal candidate must be: Friendly, caring and passionate about patient welfare. Willing to learn and take on new challenges. Can work accurately under pressure and in a fast-paced environment. Ambitious with a good work ethic. Be a strong team player whilst also able to work independently. Take on feedback and listen to directions.