Understanding pharmacy apprenticeships at tend

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Making the right choice for your career

So, you’re thinking about starting a career in pharmacy, and you want to study for a qualification. If you’re reading this, you’ve come to the right place.

At tend, we offer a Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant apprenticeship, and Level 3 Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship. While both roles work closely together in pharmacy settings, that are designed for different stages of learning, responsibility, and career progression.

The guide breaks down all you need to understand the key differences so you can choose the right starting point for your pharmacy career.

What is the Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant apprenticeship?

For professionals new to the sector, the Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant programme is designed to be the ideal starting point. The course focuses on building the knowledge and practical skills needed to provide essential support to a pharmacy team.

What the Pharmacy Services Assistant role involves

Learners in this role typically support with:

• Receiving and issuing prescriptions
• Stock control and ordering medicines
• Supporting patients with over-the-counter advice (under supervision)
• Maintaining safe and efficient pharmacy operations

You’ll be an essential member of the pharmacy team, with a range of responsibilities aligned with the needs of your employer, and the people they serve.

Workplace requirements

To complete this apprenticeship, learners must:

• Work in a GPhC-registered community or hospital pharmacy
• Have a GPhC-registered Educational Supervisor in a Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician role
• Be working under direct supervision at all times
• Not be working in an online pharmacy unless a formal rotation arrangement is in place

You can learn more about entry requirements in our Learner Hub guide.

End Point Assessment (EPA)

The current End Point Assessment (EPA) for the Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant apprenticeship is designed to confirm that learners can apply their knowledge and skills safely and effectively within a pharmacy setting.

The EPA currently includes:

• Observation of receiving stock
• Observation of dispensing activities
• A professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
• A timed assessment

Apprentices are fully supported and prepared throughout the programme by experienced tend® Development Coaches.

Please note: due to upcoming apprenticeship reforms, the EPA requirements for this programme may change in future updates to the apprenticeship standard.

Embedded Certificate

As part of the apprenticeship, learners complete the embedded Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Support Staff. This nationally recognised qualification is aligned with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) standards and supports the development of safe, effective, and person-centred pharmacy practice.

The qualification helps learners build the core knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours required to work confidently within a pharmacy team across community, hospital, and primary care settings.

Learners develop understanding in areas including:

• Person-centred care and communication
• Health and safety within pharmacy services
• Effective teamwork and professional behaviours
• Stock management and dispensing processes
• Safe handling and supply of medicines
• Ethical and legal responsibilities within pharmacy practice

This embedded qualification supports learners to develop competence in real workplace settings while preparing for progression into advanced pharmacy and healthcare roles.

What is the Level 3 Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship?

The Level 3 Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship is a more advance, technical, and professional qualification for learners progressing in their pharmacy career.

It prepares individuals for more responsibility and progression towards GPhC registration as a Pharmacy Technician.

What the Pharmacy Technician role involves

Learners on this course develop the skills to:

• Manage more complex dispensing processes
• Support safe supply and use of medicines
• Work more independently within agreed procedures
• Take on greater responsibility within the pharmacy team

In this role, once qualified and GPhC-registered, you may even act as Educational Supervisor for a Pharmacy Services Assistant in training.

Workplace requirements

To complete this apprenticeship, learners must:

• Work in a GPhC-registered community or hospital pharmacy
• Have a GPhC-registered Educational Supervisor (usually a Pharmacist)
• Not be working in an online pharmacy unless a formal rotation arrangement is in place
• Meet additional pre-screening requirements including a health declaration, DBS check, and character reference (completed during enrolment)

Remember, you can discover more about pharmacy apprenticeship entry requirements in our Learner Hub guide.

Assessment approach

The Level 3 Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship uses an integrated assessment approach aligned with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) standards.

Learners demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours throughout the programme through workplace practice, ongoing assessments, observations, discussions, and portfolio evidence completed as part of their training.

There is no separate End Point Assessment (EPA) involving additional tests or assessments at the end of the apprenticeship. Instead, competence is developed and evidenced continuously throughout the programme to support professional readiness for Pharmacy Technician registration.

Embedded Diploma

As part of the apprenticeship, learners complete the integrated apprenticeship version of the Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians. This nationally recognised qualification is aligned with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) standards and supports learners in developing the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours required for Pharmacy Technician practice in the UK.

The programme combines workplace learning with structured training and ongoing assessment, enabling learners to build competence within real pharmacy environments while working towards professional registration as a Pharmacy Technician.

Learners develop advanced understanding in areas including:

• Safe preparation, supply, and optimisation of medicines
• Person-centred care and communication within healthcare settings
• Pharmacy law, ethics, and professional responsibilities
• Clinical knowledge and medicines management
• Accuracy checking, patient safety, and risk management
• Teamwork, leadership, and collaborative working within multidisciplinary healthcare teams
• Health promotion and supporting positive patient outcomes

The integrated qualification supports learners in applying their knowledge directly within community pharmacies, hospitals, GP practices, and other healthcare environments while preparing for progression towards General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration and advanced pharmacy careers.

Key differences between our two pharmacy apprenticeships

The main difference between the Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant and Level 3 Pharmacy Technician apprenticeships is:

• Level 2: Entry-level support role in pharmacy, focused on building core skills and knowledge with structured supervision, including an embedded Level 2 Certificate and End Point Assessment (EPA)
• Level 3: Advanced technical role with increased responsibility, continuous assessment throughout the programme, and progression towards GPhC registration, including an embedded Level 3 Diploma

Put simply, the Level 2 programme helps you get started in pharmacy by developing essential skills and confidence in a supported environment. The Level 3 helps you build on this foundation and progress towards becoming a qualified, GPhC-registered Pharmacy Technician.

Is it possible to progress from Level 2 to Level 3?

Yes! Many learners begin their pharmacy career at Level 2, and progress into Level 3 once they have gained experience and developed their confidence in a pharmacy setting.

That said, some learners may be eligible to start directly at Level 3. If you already meet the required experience and qualification criteria, this may be an option for you.

Again, our Learner Hub guide will help explain entry requirements in deeper detail.

Your health declaration, DBS, and other enrolment checks

Both programmes include important checks to ensure learners are suitable for pharmacy environments.

For Level 3 learners specifically, this includes:

• DBS check (completed during enrolment and supported by your employer)
• Health declaration (also completed at enrolment stage)
• Character reference

These checks are completely normal. Having a health condition won’t prevent you from beginning your apprenticeship. It’s required to ensure you have all the support you need to succeed.

Knowing which course is right for you

Choosing the right apprenticeship depends on your current experience, qualifications, and career goals.

If you’re still unsure, the tend Team recommends:

• Reviewing both course pages
• Reading our entry requirements article
• Speaking with your employer
• Contacting us directly

All these things will help you to arrive at a clear decision.

Helpful links

• Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant  
• Level 3 Pharmacy Technician
• Pharmacy Entry Requirements article

Careers with heart, skills with purpose

tend works with employers and professionals to provide high-quality training that has the power to revolutionise the care sector. Which of these pharmacy pathways you choose depends on you and your circumstances. Be assured that our team is standing by to ensure you have everything you need to succeed, excel, and soar, no matter your starting point.

For more guidance on pharmacy apprenticeships and entry requirements, reach out to the tend team today. Call 01753 596 004 or hit the button below.