At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team as a Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician and learn on the job while studying.
- Company: Royal Papworth Hospital is the UK's leading heart and lung hospital, renowned for excellence in patient care.
- Benefits: Enjoy a paid apprenticeship with hands-on experience and the chance to become a registered Pharmacy Technician.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and uphold our values of compassion, excellence, and collaboration in your daily work.
- Why this job: This role offers a unique blend of science, teamwork, and the opportunity to make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs including Maths, English, Chemistry, and Biology; strong communication and organisational skills required.
The closing date is 22nd Aug 2025
Anticipated Interview date(s) 11/08/2025
Job summary
Royal Papworth Hospital have an exciting opportunity for a fixed term 2-year apprenticeship to join our team. If you are interested in science and medicine and would like to get paid whilst studying a college equivalent course, then this is the job for you! You would have the chance to become a registered Pharmacy Technician at the end of this course which opens many doors in the Pharmacy world. You will be required to have excellent communication skills, have good attention to detail and be able to work well within a team environment. This means you must be highly organised, have good time management skills and meet the targets set by your tutors and educational supervisor.
The successful candidate will rotate through each area of the pharmacy including stores and procurement, dispensary, clinical trials, homecare and the wards. They will be expected to work closely with the pharmacy team and MDT\'s including nurses and Healthcare Support Workers depending on what area of the pharmacy they will be rotated in at the time.
They will be participating in receiving deliveries of medication, ward top ups, how to create orders of medications, learning the different areas of the pharmacy, dispensing prescriptions, stock and date checking, podding inpatients to help their discharge to run smoothly, counselling patients at their discharge on the wards and performing medication histories for new patients.
This will all coincide with their learning on the job for the two-year apprenticeship in order to complete the course and achieve the knowledge, skills and competencies in becoming a Registered Pharmacy Technician.
About us
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK\'s leading heart and lung hospital, delivering care to more than 50,000 patients a year in its new state-of-the-art hospital in Cambridge. We perform the most heart and/or lung transplants in the UK and carried out the UK\'s first successful heart transplant in 1979. It also offers emergency heart attack treatment, sleep centre care and is one of just five centres nationally for those in severe respiratory failure.
Based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus the largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe the Trust is at the heart of treatments of the future. Royal Papworth became the first hospital trust in the country to be rated outstanding in all five areas assessed by the Care Quality Commission - a rating it still holds today. The Trust holds its values of compassion, excellence & collaboration at its core, and all colleagues joining the team are expected to uphold these in their day-to-day roles & interactions. Royal Papworth is proud of its diverse workforce and encourages people to embrace their individuality.
The Trust values difference and welcomes all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion & belief, sex and sexual orientation. Providing they meet the minimum post criteria, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview.
For a street view tour: https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/virtual-tour
On this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about the hospital and full details about the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. Please include how you will meet the Trust Values Compassion, Excellence and Collaboration. If you would like more information about the role or working at Royal Papworth Hospital, please get in touch with the contact for this role.
Person specification
Qualifications
5 GCSE Grade A*-C or 9-4 passes or equivalent to include Maths, English, Chemistry and Biology
Experience
Ability to work as a part of a team with a flexible approach to duties (demonstrate that you can \"multi-task\" and assist others when seeking help or busy in their allocated duties)
Self-motivated and keen to learn
Awareness of personal limitations
Demonstrable numeracy and literacy skills
Ability to communicate (verbally and in written form) with Pharmacy colleagues, nursing and other ward staff, patients and visitors to Pharmacy on a range of pharmacy matters.
Good personal organisational skills (demonstrating you can manage your own workload and handle conflicting and changing workload priorities)
Able to work calmly and efficiently under pressure
Basic keyboard skills (including navigation around the keyboard, basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and databases)
Previous experience of working in a pharmacy environment
Additional Criteria
Please provide evidence of your commitment to uphold the Trust\'s values: Compassion, Excellence, Collaboration
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.
For help with your application, contact:
Chelsea Stone
chelsea.stone1@nhs.net
07710189410
Agenda for Change
Band
Band 3
Contract
Fixed Term
Duration
24 Month(s)
Working pattern
Full-Time
Reference number
175-2526-PH1353
Job locations
Royal Papworth Hospital
Papworth Road
Cambridge Bio Medical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AY
Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician in Cambridge employer: Papworthhospital
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for aspiring Pharmacy Technicians to gain hands-on experience while studying in a state-of-the-art facility located in the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. With a strong commitment to compassion, excellence, and collaboration, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that fosters personal growth and development, alongside the chance to contribute to groundbreaking medical advancements. The Trust's outstanding reputation and diverse workforce make it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in healthcare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician in Cambridge
✨Get Clued Up on the Industry
Dive into forums and online communities dedicated to the pharmaceutical industry. Websites like PharmaTimes and LinkedIn groups can be gold mines for insight and networking opportunities. Plus, knowing the latest trends and innovations can really set you apart in interviews!
✨Tap into Your Local Talent Pools
Attend career fairs and events at local universities or colleges focused on healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Engaging with industry professionals will give you a leg-up when you're chasing that Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician role at Papworthhospital. Don’t underestimate the power of local connections!
✨Craft Your Elevator Pitch
Have a short, snappy elevator pitch ready that highlights your passion for pharmaceuticals and what you can bring to the table as an apprentice. It’ll not only make you memorable during networking but also help you make a solid impression during interviews.
✨Apply Early and Often!
Keep an eye on apprenticeship opportunities, as they can come up quickly and have tight deadlines. We recommend checking out the careers section on our website regularly for openings at Papworthhospital. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of landing that coveted spot!
We think you need these skills to ace Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Coursework:Since you're applying for an apprenticeship in the pharmaceutical industry, make sure to showcase relevant coursework from your studies. Courses in biology, chemistry, or pharmacology can demonstrate your foundational knowledge and interest in the field. Let us see how your academic background can bring value to Papworthhospital!
Showcase Technical Skills:Pharmaceutical roles often require specific technical skills, so don't hold back! If you have experience with laboratory techniques, software used in pharmaceutical research, or any relevant certifications, include these in your CV. This will show us at Papworthhospital that you're ready to jump right in and contribute.
Express Your Eagerness to Learn:In your cover letter, emphasise your enthusiasm for learning and growing within the pharmaceutical sector. Apprenticeships are all about gaining experience, so let us know how keen you are to pick up new skills and insights while working at Papworthhospital. A positive attitude can be a huge asset for us!
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Instead of sending a generic CV, customise it for the apprenticeship at Papworthhospital. Include any relevant extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or projects that relate to pharmaceuticals. This personal touch will help us see how well you fit with the company and the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Papworthhospital
✨Brush Up on Your Industry Knowledge
Make sure we know the latest trends and breakthroughs in the pharmaceutical industry. Being able to discuss recent developments or ongoing issues not only shows your enthusiasm but also demonstrates that you're serious about the field. Check out recent news articles or journals to get up to speed.
✨Understand Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
Given that we’re aiming for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, being familiar with GLP is key. They're likely to ask about compliance and safety protocols in interviews. Brush up on these practices and be prepared to discuss how you’ve applied similar standards in your past experiences, even if they're from school or hobbies.
✨Showcase Your Willingness to Learn
As this is an apprenticeship, employers will be keen to see your motivation and eagerness to learn. Think about how you can convey your passion for the pharmaceutical industry and your commitment to developing your skills. Have examples ready of situations where you've successfully adapted and learned new things.
✨Prepare for Practical Assessments
In pharmaceutical interviews, we might face practical assessments or scenarios relevant to the role. Expect to tackle problem-solving tasks that test your analytical skills. Practise these kinds of scenarios to confidently showcase your abilities when asked. It’ll help us stand out as practical thinkers who can apply our knowledge effectively.
