Trainee Pharmacy Dispenser

Job description

Job responsibilities

About the Role

Join our dedicated pharmacy team as a Trainee Pharmacy Dispenser, where you'll combine hands-on learning with structured training to achieve your NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Services qualification. This is an excellent opportunity to start or develop your career in pharmacy, with full support from experienced professionals who are committed to your success.

Whether you have some experience in a pharmacy setting and want to gain formal qualifications, or you're new to pharmacy but have the right attitude and aptitude to learn, we want to hear from you. We're looking for someone who is reliable, motivated, and genuinely passionate about helping people we'll provide all the training and support you need to become a qualified Pharmacy Dispenser.

Reporting to the Pharmacy Manager, you'll work under close supervision whilst learning the technical and interpersonal skills required for excellent pharmacy practice. We understand that learning takes time, and we're committed to supporting you through every stage of your development.

Your Learning Journey

Qualification Support

We'll fully support you to complete your NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Services qualification, which is recognised by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). This will include:

• Dedicated study time within your working hours
• Access to all necessary training materials and resources
• A designated mentor to guide your learning
• Regular reviews of your progress with constructive feedback
• Support with coursework and assessments
• Practical experience across all aspects of pharmacy practice

Your Key Responsibilities

Learning to Dispense Medicines

Under close supervision, you'll learn the fundamentals of accurate and safe medicine dispensing. This includes understanding prescriptions, selecting the correct medications, labelling accurately, and checking your work systematically. You'll learn our standard operating procedures and understand why patient safety must always be our top priority.

As your confidence and competence grow, you'll gradually take on more responsibility, always working within your level of training and under appropriate supervision. You'll learn to communicate effectively with pharmacy colleagues and prescribers to resolve queries and maintain high service standards.

Developing Patient Interaction Skills

You'll learn how to interact professionally with patients, receiving prescriptions, gathering necessary information, and providing basic advice within your scope of competence. We'll teach you how to handle payments, verify prescription exemptions, and hand out medicines with appropriate counselling.

You'll develop skills in face-to-face, telephone, and electronic communication, always ensuring interactions are polite, professional, and patient-centred. Importantly, you'll learn to recognise when queries need referring to more experienced colleagues knowing your limitations is a crucial part of safe practice.

Understanding Over-the-Counter Sales

You'll learn about the safe sale of over-the-counter medicines and retail products. This includes understanding common symptoms, appropriate product recommendations, and when to refer customers to the pharmacist. You'll complete Medicines Counter Assistant training as part of your overall development.

Quality, Safety and Professional Standards

Patient safety will be at the heart of your training. You'll learn about near miss reporting, dispensing incident procedures, and how we use these as learning opportunities. You'll understand the importance of infection control, safeguarding, confidentiality, and maintaining professional standards at all times.

Stock Management and Pharmacy Operations

You'll be trained in stock management including ordering, receiving deliveries, date checking, and maintaining appropriate storage conditions. You'll learn about medicines storage requirements, temperature monitoring, and safe disposal of returned or expired medications.

Building Your Knowledge Base

Throughout your training, you'll develop understanding of:

• Common medicines and their uses
• Legal and professional requirements for pharmacy practice
• How to use pharmacy computer systems
• Standard operating procedures and why they matter
• Effective communication with the healthcare team
• The importance of accuracy and attention to detail

What We Expect From You

During Your Training

We expect you to approach your learning with enthusiasm and commitment. This means:

• Attending all scheduled training sessions and completing coursework on time
• Being proactive in asking questions when you don't understand something
• Taking responsibility for your own learning whilst accepting guidance
• Being honest about your confidence levels and any concerns
• Practising skills regularly to build competence
• Accepting feedback positively and implementing suggestions
• Taking detailed notes and referring back to them
• Building good habits around accuracy and safety from day one

Personal Qualities

We're looking for someone who demonstrates:

• Excellent attention to detail and methodical approach
• Strong communication skills and friendly, professional manner
• Reliability and punctuality we're depending on you
• Willingness to learn and genuine interest in pharmacy
• Ability to stay calm under pressure
• Team player attitude with respect for colleagues
• Patient-focused approach to all interactions
• Integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality

Working Arrangements

This role is 24 hours per week working Monday, Thursday and Friday (8:30am to 5:30pm). This consistent pattern allows you to balance work, study, and personal commitments whilst becoming an integral part of our pharmacy team.

Our pharmacy operates over five days to ensure accessibility for our community. The predictable schedule means you'll work with the same colleagues regularly, which enhances your learning experience and helps you build strong working relationships.

Working Conditions

This is an active role requiring you to stand or move around for extended periods. You'll regularly lift, bend, and stretch, though we'll ensure you understand safe manual handling techniques. While there are opportunities to sit when using computers or during training sessions, much of your day will be spent on your feet.

The working environment can be busy and unpredictable, with periods of high demand. You'll learn how to maintain concentration and accuracy even with background noise and distractions this is an important skill we'll help you develop.

Patient-facing work occasionally involves challenging situations. We'll teach you how to manage difficult interactions professionally and provide full support when you encounter them.

Our Values in Action

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, which we'll help you embrace:

We treat people how we would like to be treated listening with respect, maintaining dignity, and making everyone feel valued through politeness, honesty, and friendliness.

We do what we say we're going to do being clear in our communications, making time to care, and explaining honestly when something isn't possible.

We focus on what matters most listening without assumptions, making difficult decisions when they're right, and using resources responsibly.

We are one team and we are best when we work together maintaining professionalism, setting common goals, and communicating effectively.

We are passionate and creative in our work valuing ideas, seeking innovative solutions, and celebrating achievements.

Additional Responsibilities

You'll learn to maintain the pharmacy environment to high standards of cleanliness and organisation. You'll be trained in legal and professional requirements, and learn about safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, infection prevention and control, and maintaining strict confidentiality in accordance with GDPR.

Why This Role is Special

This isn't just a job it's an investment in your future. You'll finish your training period as a qualified Pharmacy Dispenser with real-world experience, professional confidence, and the foundation for a rewarding long-term career in pharmacy. You'll have made a genuine difference to patient care whilst developing skills that will serve you throughout your career.

If you're ready to start your pharmacy journey with an employer who will genuinely support and invest in you, we'd love to welcome you to our team.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• - GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above
• - Willingness and commitment to complete NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Services qualification

Desirable

• - Any previous pharmacy-related training or courses
• - Evidence of commitment to self-development and learning

Experience

Essential

• - Customer service experience in any setting
• - Experience of working as part of a team
• - Basic IT skills and confidence with computers

Desirable

• - Any experience working in a pharmacy environment (as dispenser, counter assistant, or healthcare assistant)
• - Experience handling cash and processing payments
• - Experience in a healthcare or retail setting
• - Previous exposure to medicines or pharmaceutical products
• - Experience dealing with the public in a professional capacity

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Helmsley Medical Centre

Address

Helmsley Medical Centre

Carlton Road

Helmsley

York

YO62 5HD

Employer's website

https://www.helmsleymedicalcentre.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)