Trainee Pharmacists
Peak Pharmacy are a forward-thinking, family-owned pharmacy business established over 50 years ago. Our network comprises over 140 community pharmacies from Manchester to Milton Keynes, and in addition to our more traditional business network, we also operate a distance-selling pharmacy dispensing NHS prescriptions.
We are proud to be a pharmacy owned and operated by Pharmacists.
During the last few years, Peak Pharmacy has significantly expanded its network of pharmacies and in some areas, we may trade as Tims & Parker Pharmacy, Manor Pharmacy, Cox & Robinson Pharmacy, Murrays Pharmacy or Brennan’s Pharmacy.
Our pharmacies can be found dotted across the East Midlands, Greater Manchester, Milton Keynes and the West Midlands with clusters of pharmacies around the main towns and cities of these areas.
To find your nearest Peak Pharmacy use the handy “Find a Pharmacy” link in the header. Please note not all Peak Pharmacies are suitable as training locations and availability of locations can vary from year to year.
As well as Essential and Advanced NHS services, our pharmacies also provide enhanced services, including:
- Flu Vaccinations (NHS and Private)
- Stop Smoking Advice
- Emergency Hormonal Contraception
- Monitored Dosing Systems
- Minor Ailments advice
- Observed Methadone Consumption
Our pharmacies regularly participate in pilot schemes such as Oral Contraception Management Service and research studies. If this wasn’t enough we participated in the COVID vaccine rollout and also operate a selection of private services in some of our pharmacies that include:
- Vaccinations (Travel vaccines and other vaccinations like Pneumococcal)
- POM medicines via PGD for treatment of UTI, Erectile Dysfunction and more
- Weight loss clinics
We offer a comprehensive foundation training year to support and help you develop during your first year out of University. Support will be provided on-site by a designated supervisor as well as their pharmacy team, your Area Manager and our Trainee Pharmacist Coordinator.
You will also receive support and guidance from a named tutor at our training provider the NPA to help you make the most of your foundation training year.
Our sole aim is to thoroughly prepare you for pharmacy practice.
Our foundation training programme is designed to help you develop the skills, knowledge and expertise to pass the GPhC Registration Assessment and achieve the interim learning outcomes required by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
We use the NPA Foundation Pharmacist Training Course to deliver much of your training. The course incorporates a variety of learning formats, including webinars, eLearning and study days in locations close to our pharmacies.
The NPA’s structured course guides you through BNF chapters, calculations, Law and Ethics and includes First Aid training.
Towards the end of your foundation training year, you will undertake a mock registration exam to not only prepare you for the real thing but help highlight any areas you need to improve. In addition, throughout the year you will take regular mini-tests to help reinforce your development.
In addition to the NPA course, we host in-house activities to give our trainee pharmacists a broad experience of community pharmacy, such as time in our MDS units, visits to our warehouse facilities and much more.
Cross-Sector Experience
Trainee pharmacists who apply through Oriel will get the option to undertake a split foundation year with time in both community pharmacy and primary care.
Whilst this option is not available via direct application we like to give our foundation year pharmacists experience in other sectors so where possible a 2-week hospital placement is usually arranged. You will be supported with setting your objectives so that you gain maximum benefit from the experience, and so that you meet the relevant GPhC interim learning outcomes.
Preparing you for your future career
As part of your training, we will ensure you complete all mandatory Centre for Post Graduate Pharmacy Education courses and encourage you to complete additional accreditations such as New Medicine Service and Discharge Medicine Service; this will enable you to provide a wide range of services as soon as you are registered.
Testomnials
Libby Barlow – Trainee Pharmacist 2021/22
"Overall my experience at Peak Pharmacy has been extremely positive.
From the get-go I was impressed by the company’s organisation as I was contacted in advance to organise my foundation training year with regards to uniforms, contracts etc.
I had the opportunity to meet colleagues and members of staff face-to-face before my foundation training started, which made me feel more comfortable for my first day.
Throughout my training year I have been impressed with communications, friendliness and support from colleagues and other members of the company. The highlight of my training year and most beneficial element has been engaging with NPA Training days, they are a great provider that Peak have chosen to provide pharmacy education for trainee pharmacists, regular study days, webinars, quizzes, revision pages are provided.
I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting other Trainee Pharmacists from different branches of Peak Pharmacy at our face-to-face training days, I feel strongly that it is really beneficial to speak with other Trainee Pharmacists, and hopefully this contact will increase further with lifting pandemic restrictions. I feel I have made friends for life during my training and I hope I will keep in contact with all of my colleagues throughout my career."
