Pre-registration Pharmacy Trainees

If you want to become a practicing pharmacist or pharmacy technician, you are required to undertake a period of pre-registration training in one or more patient-facing sectors such as community or hospital pharmacy, however this is changing, with an increasing number of training programmes incorporating placements in General Practice. It can be difficult to decide where to undertake your training. If you undertake your training in a hospital you are likely to be working as part of a large team. with other health care professionals and will rotate through different pharmacy specialities whilst you train. Clearly defined career structures are in place in hospitals following pre-registration training.

Trainee Support

From time to time, trainees may require extra support. For trainees and employing organisations we have developed a reference guide which outlines the educational support processes in place for pharmacy trainees that are undertaking Health Education England commissioned training within our region. Further information can be found by visiting our Trainees Requiring Additional Support page.

Professional Support Unit

If you are a  pre-registration pharmacist or pharmacy technician who for example needs careers advice, help with clinical communication skills or a one to one educational review, the Health Education England Professional Support Unit (PSU) may be able to help. Please click the button below to download a flyer of what the PSU can offer.

Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacists

Deciding where to undertake your pre-registration training is an important decision to make.

Health Education England commissions one-year fixed term hospital pre-registration training placements. 
All placements meet the requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council pre-registration training scheme and offer rotational competency based training to achieve underpinning knowledge and opportunities to meet the GPhC pre-registration training performance standards.
All placements are quality assured to ensure every trainee receives a high standard of training supported by trained educational and practice supervisors

Information on the recruitment process for hospital pre-registration pharmacists is available on our National Recruitment pages. 

Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians

You can apply to become a Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician straight from school. Applicants need to apply directly to hospital trusts through vacancies on NHS Jobs. 

The minimum entry requirement is usually 4 GSCEs including English, Maths & Science at grade C or above.
You will complete the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.