Dispensing Assistant Apprentice (A K Chemists Ltd)

As a Trainee Dispensing Assistant, you will work as part of a busy pharmacy team to support the dispensing and supply of medicines to patients. You will receive training and supervision while developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to work safely and effectively in a pharmacy environment. The role will involve helping to process prescriptions, prepare medicines for checking, generate labels, use the pharmacy computer system, manage stock, and provide excellent customer service.

You do not need to have any previous experience of working in a pharmacy and you will not be expected to work independently at first; all dispensing duties will be carried out under appropriate supervision until you are trained and assessed as competent. You will also be expected to follow pharmacy standard operating procedures, maintain patient confidentiality, work accurately, and raise any queries or concerns with the pharmacist or senior member of the team.

This role is suitable for someone who is organised, careful, willing to learn, and interested in supporting patient care. The successful candidate will complete the Pharmacy Services Assistant apprenticeship standard.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with receiving, interpreting and processing prescriptions under appropriate supervision
• Accurately assemble medicines ready for final checking by the tea
• Use the pharmacy computer system to produce labels, update patient records and support prescription processing
• Refer medication queries, prescription issues, patient concerns or potential errors to the pharmacist or supervisor
• Support the safe handout of prescriptions in line with workplace procedures
• Provide polite, professional and helpful service to patients and customers
• Answer general queries within the limits of the role and refer clinical or complex questions to the pharmacist
• Receive, check, put away and rotate stock deliveries
• Support expiry date checking, stock control, ordering and returns
• Maintain a clean, tidy and safe dispensary and pharmacy environment
• Follow standard operating procedures, health and safety requirements, safeguarding procedures and confidentiality rules
• Report near misses, incidents, dispensing errors or concerns in line with company procedures
• Complete all required training, coursework and workplace assessments within agreed timescales
• Work as part of the wider pharmacy team to support safe, efficient and patient-focused pharmacy services

Buttercups Training is a trusted specialist in pharmacy and health care training, supporting learners and employers across community, hospital, and primary care. We design high-quality, career-shaping apprenticeship programmes that build confidence, strengthen clinical practice, and meet the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce. Our collaborative learning approach encourages shared insight and practical application, helping professionals grow together to deliver safer care and better patient outcomes across the organisations and communities they serve.

Potential for permanent role on completion of apprenticeship.

This role provides an excellent starting point for a career in pharmacy and healthcare. Following successful completion of training, you may have opportunities to progress into roles such as Pre-registration Pharmacy Technician, or wider roles in healthcare, medicines management, administration or training.

• Ability to follow written procedures and instructions.
• Committed to maintaining confidentiality.

We are a family-run community pharmacy, serving the people of Southend-on-Sea and beyond, since 1992.