Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician (PTPT)

A Vacancy at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

Are you ready to launch your Pharmacy career, or take it to the next level in Dorset?

Whether you're seeking a fresh and exciting challenge or you already work in pharmacy, this could be the opportunity for you!

We are seeking motivated, well organised and enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about patient care to join our dedicated pharmacy team.

Over a 2-year apprenticeship, you will undertake a well-structured course programme delivered through a blend of online academic learning as well as practical, work-based learning. You will gain hands on experience working across a variety of pharmacy sectors throughout Dorset.

Upon successful completion, you'll gain a formal qualification and be eligible to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a Pharmacy Technician.

We have two apprenticeship positions available.

For enquiries regarding the Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician Programme,please visit our education provider's website:The University of East Anglia | UEAor contact enquiries.ptpt@uea.ac.uk.

Please note

Candidates must have a minimum of 4 GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths, English and Science at Grade C/level 4 or above.

Any previous apprenticeship must be in an unrelated subject to any prior qualifications achieved at a similar or higher level (Level 3 or above).

Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to their own vehicle

Candidates must be available to start in September 2026.

This post involves training and working at various sites across Dorset including Dorset Healthcare Trust HQ , St Anns Hospital and our 9 Community Hospitals. You will work within a variety of settings including community hospital, mental health/community services, community pharmacy & Primary Care Networks. You will gain practical experience in each setting, whilst also receiving allocated Off The Job (OTJ) time within working hours in line with apprenticeship requirements.

Throughout your time working in the settings listed above, you will gain experience and compile a portfolio of evidence in a wide range of duties, such as:

Dispensing medications for both inpatients and outpatients

Stock management including expiry date checks, receiving deliveries, disposal and return of medication

Assessing patient's own drugs (PODs) for use in a hospital setting

Establishing accurate medication histories and completing medicines reconciliation to ensure safe and effective prescribing

Performing final accuracy checks of dispensed medication

Patient counselling on safe and effective use of medications and life style advice

A Practice Supervisor will oversee your learning at each setting and you will be assigned a Designated Educational Supervisor to support you throughout the programme.

Please note that a degree of independent study is required outside of working hours for successful completion of the programme

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Prince’s Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

For more information about the role, please contact Amanda Poole, Amanda.Poole6@nhs.net

For more information on training as a pharmacy technician visit

• https://joinourdorset.nhs.uk/pharmacy/techs/

For more information on apprenticeships and eligibility criteria visit

• https://www.gov.uk/become-apprentice

Minimum qualification requirements and apprenticeship eligibility criteria apply to this post and must be evidenced at interview.

Eligibility checks, and verification of qualifications will be completed by the Trust and the learning provider, and all places are conditional and subject to this confirmation.

Annex 21 salary offered is based on 70% of the top of Band 4 in Year 1 and 75% in Year 2, or age related National Minimum Wage (NMW), whichever is higher.

Non UK National applicants - must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship, in most cases have been in the UK for at least 3 years and have the right to remain (it is vital to ensure that the duration of your visa outlasts that of the apprenticeship) Please see apprenticeship funding rules https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6936acd76a167b6884b7360e/Funding_Rules_2025_to_2026.pdf

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Please note

this advertised vacancy does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa and therefore SFT would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.**

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

This advert closes on Sunday 28 Jun 2026