Dispensing Assistant Apprentice
A K Chemists Ltd · Southend-On-Sea, Essex
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 team.
• 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.
Skills required
• Good communication skills.
• Good numeracy skills.
• Confidence using a computer and IT systems, with a willingness to learn new systems.
• Ability to follow written procedures and instructions.
• Good organisational skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work accurately in a busy environment.
• Good customer service skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
Qualifications required
Essential:
A good standard of English and maths.
Desirable:
Previous experience in pharmacy, healthcare, retail or customer service.
IT or administration experience.
GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above, or equivalent.
Applicants without formal qualifications may still be considered if they can demonstrate suitable literacy, numeracy, communication skills and a willingness to complete the required training.
Training you'll get
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.
Future prospects
Potential for permanent role on completion of apprenticeship.
The essentials
Hours, commitment and the dates that matter.
Training provider
Delivers the training for this role and manages your application.
