MEDICAL SERVICES Pharmacy Technician CURRENTLY RECRUITING

As an RAF Pharmacy Technician, you will handle medication and provide pharmaceutical advice and support to RAF Medical Services.

Full-time regular Spare time reserve

Learn more about this role

Pay During First Six Months £16,800+ + Benefits

Pay Until Completion Of Phase Two Training* £21,400+ + Benefits

Please Note: This role is recruiting for a potential training year 23/24 intake.

Apply as a Regular


DAY RATE STARTS AT: £39.34 + Benefits

Is this for you?

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 16 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
  • Have GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or above or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in English Language, Maths and 2 Science subjects
  • Qualified Pharmacy Technicians must be registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC
  • Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth
  • Commit 12 years service
  • Meet the health and fitness criteria
  • Pass a Fitness test - Details below

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Analysis and maths
  • Helping people
  • Health care

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 18-54 Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis
  • Must be professionally registered, clinically current and qualified as an Pharmacy Technician
  • Have GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or above or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in English Language, Maths and 2 Science subjects
  • Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.
  • Commit 27 days per year for 12 years minimum
  • Meet the health and fitness criteria
  • Pass a General Fitness Test

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Analysis and maths
  • Helping people
  • Health care

Locations

502 Sqn, JHFS Aldergrove, Co Antrim
600 Sqn, RAF Northolt, Middlesex
612 Sqn, RAF Leuchars, Fife
4626 Sqn, RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire

VIEW ALL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Primary Healthcare: order, receive, prepare, store and dispense medical supplies and medication
  • Medical Logistics: supply units with medical equipment, supplies and medication. Maintain, coordinate and deploy medicines and medical equipment at the Tactical Medical Wing Headquarters

As a Pharmacy Technician, you will provide professional medicines management and pharmaceutical advice and support to the RAF Medical Services.

In Primary Healthcare, you will work in a medical centre on a large RAF unit. You will order, receive, prepare, store, issue and dispense medical equipment, supplies and medication including controlled and accountable drugs – and provide pharmaceutical and medical supply advice.

In Medical Logistics, you could be based at a military Medical Distribution Centre, where you will supply units with medical equipment, supplies and medication or Headquarters Tactical Medical Wing, where you would be responsible for the maintenance, co-ordination and deployment of operational medical modules for deployed RAF medical teams.

In Training you will responsible for delivering pharmacy and medical supply training to a wide range of Defence Medical Services personnel. You will also manage and train tri-Service Pharmacy Technicians.

Like most people in the RAF, you will probably be re-assigned every few years, and each job is known as a tour. There are opportunities for tours in both Primary Healthcare and Medical Logistics. On operations or exercises, you could perform your role in a deployed medical centre or hospital facility, or you may deploy in a tri-Service environment.

Unified Career Management (UCM) is a new approach to managing cadres of people where the capabilities they deliver are very similar across two or more of the single Services (sS). Personnel within UCM cohorts will benefit from new and bespoke career pathways which offer individuals the opportunity to progress a career within specialist cohorts. Serving personnel will transfer to UCM Medical Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) on 1 January 2024 under their current engagement/commission type and length of Service (LoS), those joining the sS on/after 1 January 2024 will automatically be aligned with UCM Terms of Service (TOS).

As a Pharmacy Technician, you will provide professional medicines management and pharmaceutical advice and support to the RAF Medical Services. If deployed on operations in the UK or Overseas, you will work in a medical centre on a large RAF unit. You will order, receive, prepare, store, issue and dispense medical equipment, supplies and medication including controlled and accountable drugs – and provide pharmaceutical and medical supply advice. delivering pharmacy and medical supply training to a wide range of Defence Medical Services personnel. You will also manage and train tri-Service Pharmacy Technicians.

You will join your nearest RAF Medical Reserve unit, located across the UK. Leuchars Station in Fife (612 Squadron), RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire (4626 Squadron), Flying Station Aldergrove in Northern Ireland (502 Squadron) or RAF Northolt in Middlesex (600 Squadron).

WHY JOIN THE RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

Salary
Benefits Salary
Civilian Role
RAF Role
  • Rent from £75p/m
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Health care
  • World travel
  • 6 weeks holiday

See All Benefits

WHY JOIN THE RESERVES?

The skills you acquire as a Reserve won’t just prepare you for the RAF, they will enhance your work and civilian life.

You might be called up to assist with our operations worldwide for up to six months, during which you may be able to claim a pay award to cover your and your employer’s costs.

  • Training
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Paid pension
  • Paid holiday

See All Benefits

TRAINING AND CAREER

TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE

Your career will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you’ll also learn about the RAF lifestyle.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

On successful completion the course you will return to DMAcad for a Professional Topics and Defence Medical Information Capability Programme (DMICP – the computer system used in RAF Medical Centres) course, a Blood Supply and Storage course and a medical supply course, which involves both practical and written assessments: followed by a 6-week placement in a medical stores environment. Finally, you will complete a 12-week Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) placement under the supervision of Senior Pharmacy Technician; you will then be given your first assignment. You will be required to complete a minimum Return of Service (RoS)
of 3 years from the date you start productive Service.

If you are joining with no qualifications as a Pharmacy Technician, your training will commence with a short induction visit to the Department of Pharmacy and Medical Supply (DPMS) at Defence Medical Academy (DMAcad) (Whittington) near Birmingham. You will then be detached to an NHS hospital pharmacy department to undergo a two-year course leading to the award of BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.

More Details +

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

You will also be required to complete a First Aid course at DMAcad within 12 months. If you are joining as a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Registered Pharmacy Technician, you will complete the First Aid course, the Professional Topics, DMICP and the Medical Supply course. You will also undertake the placements; after which you will receive your first assignment.

YOUR FIRST TOUR

After training your first tour will be to a unit where you can consolidate your initial training and broaden your specialist knowledge. This is usually at a RAF managed Defence Primary Healthcare Medical Centre.

YOUR FUTURE CAREER PROSPECTS/PROGRESSION

After completing one year’s total service and graduating from your training course you will be eligible for promotion to Senior Aircraftman Technician. Those already qualified will be promoted
to Senior Aircraft Technician backdated to their second day in service. Further promotion to the rank of Corporal and Sergeant is on a time promotion basis.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

The qualifications you can earn are as valuable in the civilian world as they are in the RAF. Your Continual Professional Development will keep you abreast of change and up to date with your civilian counterparts – this means that whenever you decide to leave the RAF, you will be well placed to find employment in pharmacy.

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

Your training will commence with the Reserve Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC(R) Part 1, lasting 8 days and delivered locally at your Squadron. BRTC(R) Part 2 is conducted at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, a 2-week residential course that should be completed within your first year in the RAF Reserves. BRTC is designed to prepare you for Service life and teaches basic military skills such as weapon handling and fieldcraft.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

Reserve Pharmacy Technicians will receive induction training at their Squadron and undertake Medical Training Group Trade Management Training (MTG TMT 1) Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) placement a number of learning modules to bridge the gap between civilian and military practice.

Commitment and location

You will have to commit to 27 days per year for 12 years minimum.


Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.


You might be deployed to a UK or overseas base for up to 6 months after the first year.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Be aged between 16 and 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday).

*Until at least you have completed one year of service and successfully completed Professional Workplace Assessments on first posting.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status)

Be aged 18-54 (and meet all specialist/professional pre-requisites listed below)
Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday. Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have these minimum grades:

  GCSE GCSE 2017 SNE
Mathematics C Grade 4 Grade 5
English Language C Grade 4 Grade 5
Two science subjects C Grade 4 Grade 5

You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.

Qualified Pharmacy Technicians must be registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:

  • 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

The second fitness test will take place at RAF Halton on day one of your initial traininig. This consists of the following:

  • Achieving the required score on the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 9.03 20 35
17-29 11.11 9.10 20 35
30-34 11.36 9.04 19 32
35-39 12 8.09 18 29
40-44 12.26 8.03 17 26
45-47 12.54 7.07 16 23

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 6.07 10 32
17-29 13.23 7.02 10 32
30-34 13.47 6.08 9 29
35-39 14.13 6.04 8 26
40-44 14.48 5.08 7 23
45-47 15.19 5.04 6 20

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRFV Protocols

You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:

RAF MSFT: Intro

RAF MSFT: Bleep Test

You can see a video demonstration of the PRFV Fitness Test here:

RAF PRFV Fitness Test

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
16 to < 18 17 27 27 27
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. 
    Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy:

A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have these minimum grades:

  GCSE GCSE 2017 SNE
Mathematics C Grade 4 Grade 5
English Language C Grade 4 Grade 5
Two science subjects C Grade 4 Grade 5

find a list of the approved subjects here

You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.

Must be professionally registered, clinically current and qualified as an Pharmacy Technician

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:

  • 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

How fit you need to be to pass the test can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 20 35
17-29 11.11 20 35
30-34 11.36 19 32
35-39 12 18 29
40-44 12.26 17 26
45-47 12.54 16 23

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 10 32
17-29 13.23 10 32
30-34 13.47 9 29
35-39 14.13 8 26
40-44 14.48 7 23
45-47 15.19 6 20

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRTC Protocols

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
16 to < 18 17 27 27 27
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. 
    Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy:

A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available.

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Regular

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Reserve