Pharmacy Services Assistant (Level 2)
The Pharmacy Services Assistant (PSA) works under the supervision of a Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician, or other accountable healthcare professional. The PSA provides a variety of pharmacy and medicines services to patients, the public and other professional healthcare teams. The PSA supports the delivery of pharmacy services in a variety of pharmacy environments. A PSA will be involved in supporting the supply, preparation and assembly of medicines and products; issuing them to patients and other healthcare professionals and assisting in providing advice to patients to help them to make effective use of their medicines. They will be responsible for ordering and receiving medicines, as well as their storage, disposal and return. They will have an understanding of healthy lifestyle choices and relevant screening services. They will understand and work to standard operating procedures (SOPs), a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by their organisation to help staff carry out routine operations. SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality output and uniformity of performance, while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with pharmacy regulations.
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Duration
15 months
Most Suitable For
Those who wish to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours to become a Pharmacy Services Assistant/Dispensing Assistant/Assistant Technical Officer.
Award
Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant Intermediate Apprenticeship award, and Dispensing Assistant Certificate which meets the GPhC minimum training requirements for dispensing/pharmacy assistants. Medicines counter assistant training, and/or the health champion course (Level 2 RSPH Award in Understanding Health Improvement) can be added to this apprenticeship training plan at no additional cost.
Programme Cost
£5,000
The apprenticeship tuition fee is paid using employer levy. Levy Paying Employers and Non-Levy Paying Employers, please read the DAS and Tuition steps within our Apprenticeships Process – Employer Guide for more information and instructions.
Additional Funding
- If apprentice is under the age of 25, Employer may not have to pay Class 1 Employer National Insurance. Full details and criteria are found here.
- For apprenticeships starting between 1 August 2024 - 31 July 2025, employer may be eligible for £1,000 if apprentice is aged 16 - 18 years old, OR aged 19 - 24 years old and has either an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan provided by their local authority and / or has been in the care of their local authority. Full details and criteria are found within the ESFA Funding Rules.
- Some Councils are providing incentive payments to local small employers who recruit and employ young apprentices. To find out more, including eligibility and how to apply for an incentive, please visit Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub (details within the GRANT presentation)
- Lancashire County Council incentive is £3,000 for 100 Lancashire employers
- Chorley Council incentive is £1,500 for Chorley employers
- Fylde Borough Council incentive is £5,000 for Fylde employers recruiting a new apprentice who is a Fylde resident.
Start Date
Anytime
Teaching Delivery
Online
Key Learning Requirements
Apprenticeships require learners to achieve specific new knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), which are detailed in the Apprenticeship Standard. These are achieved by;
1) Programme Teaching; delivered using blended learning with a combination of flexible learning activities such as e-learning activities, online classroom sessions (usually 1 or 2 per month), videos and peer networking. It will be led by an appointed Buttercups tutor and will take 12 months to complete, followed by up to 3 months of End Point Assessment.
2) Independent study; such as assignment/project research and write up
3) Learning in the workplace; shadowing colleagues, completing programme assigned work based projects, day-to-day development within your current role duties/work activities, reflections with mentor, relevant training sessions.
On average, a full-time learner (30+ hours per week) will undertake 6 hours per week towards the above 3 areas. The flexibility of the delivery model allows apprentices and employers to balance the demands of the apprenticeship with the demands of front-line service delivery.
Modules
This programme has fixed module delivery (you are unable to choose the modules studied). A list of modules is available on the course webpage or course materials. Medicines counter assistant training, and/or the health champion course (Level 2 RSPH Award in Understanding Health Improvement) can be added to this apprenticeship training plan at no additional cost. If you are interested in this additional option, Buttercups will discuss this with you at application and confirm any related additional learning requirements, assignments and time commitments.
Placements
This programme does not require external placements to be completed, although varied experiences are beneficial.
Assessments
Apprentices will be assessed throughout the programme by assignments, observations, evaluations, work-based learning modules and End Point Assessment.
Key Candidate Entry Requirements
• Employed 30 hours or more per week for the duration of the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship duration may be extended to support staff who work less than this (but no lower than 21 hours).
• Working in a patient-facing dispensary as a dispensing assistant/ATO or other suitable role.
• Preferably, evidence of English and Maths at GCSE C/4 or above/Functional Skills Level 2/Equivalent. If the candidate does not have evidence of Maths and English at the relevant level, there are two options; 1. via NHSE funded online revision and exams. Contact Training Hub Apprenticeship Team for more details.
2. Or, Education Provider will support the learner through the relevant learning and exams, alongside their apprenticeship. An initial diagnostic assessment will be completed by the Education Provider at application stage to determine suitability for this option.
Full requirements and details are found on the course webpage/information.
Key Employer Entry Requirements
• Ensure Learner has the support and opportunities to achieve the requirements of the apprenticeship
• A registered healthcare professional, pharmacist or pharmacy technician to oversee and support the apprentice’s training
Listed as an Approved Provider under an NHS Procurement
Yes
Application Timescale
It takes on average 2 months to complete all application stages for this programme.
If recruiting to this position, additional time will be required for recruitment and advertising stages.
Additional Training Hub Support
Primary Care Employees:
• Have access to all resources provided by the L&SCPC Training Hub such as Digital training, Health and Wellbeing support and events.
• Visit our
Pharmacy Professionals webpage for more information on Pharmacy roles in Primary Care, plus further training, support and resources.
Pathway
On successful completion of this apprenticeship, examples of further apprenticeship options include; Pharmacy Technician.
HASO Apprenticeship pathway tool is available
hereCareer progression does not have to be linear. Entry criteria may differ per provider and varied routes may be available depending on the individuals prior learning and experience.
Information Last Updated
17/03/25
Programme Resources
If you would like to know anything further about the programme itself, please contact: Gareth Evans, Client Services Manager on 0115 937 4936 or gareth.evans@buttercups.co.uk
How to Apply
If you would like to apply for an apprenticeship (either for yourself, a member of staff or a vacancy position), please complete the appropriate Expression of Interest Form from the following options. This will allow the relevant apprenticeships team to; complete basic pre-checks, provide you with personalised advice/guidance and start the programme application process. You can find out more about the stages of applying for an apprenticeship within our Apprenticeships Process - Employer Guide.
Primary Care Training Hub Online Expression of Interest Form. If you would like to discuss anything first, please email mbpcc.apprenticeships@nhs.net or call Olivia on 07735161775
Social Care Online Expression of Interest Form. If you would like to discuss anything first, please email Dawn.werra@nhs.net or call Dawn on 07796 060023
