Dis-Chem Pharmacies invites qualifying South African youth to apply for the Dispensary Support Learnership Programme 2026/2027.
Learnership Application Closing Date: 12 August 2026
Learnership Location: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Dis-Chem Dispensary Support Learnership Programme 2026/202
Dis-Chem Pharmacies is recruiting Dispensary Support Learners who are interested in beginning careers within the pharmaceutical and retail pharmacy environment.
The programme is designed to prepare participants to complete the Learner Basic Pharmacist Assistant course while gaining practical experience in a Dis-Chem dispensary.
The official Dis-Chem recruitment portal lists the Dispensary Support fixed-term opportunity with a closing date of 12 August 2026.
Learnership Programme Overview
Employer: Dis-Chem Pharmacies
Programme: Dispensary Support Learnership Programme
Programme period: 2026/2027
Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
Employment type: Fixed-term position
Minimum qualification: Grade 12
Minimum academic average: 50%
Career pathway: Basic Pharmacist Assistant
Closing date: 12 August 2026
Application method: Online
Purpose of the Learnership
The programme aims to recruit learners who have the academic background and ability needed to complete the Basic Pharmacist Assistant course.
Successful applicants will receive practical workplace training that introduces them to the main principles of:
- Pharmaceutical services
- Medicine dispensing
- Dispensary administration
- Stock management
- Patient support
- Pharmacy legislation
- Workplace quality standards
The programme combines structured learning with practical experience in a professional pharmacy environment.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification.
- Pure Mathematics as a Grade 12 subject.
- Physical Science or Life Science as a Grade 12 subject.
- An academic average of at least 50%.
- Good numerical and computer skills.
- The ability to read, write and speak English and a second language.
Applicants who completed Mathematical Literacy instead of Pure Mathematics may not meet the advertised academic requirements.
Registration as a Learner Pharmacist Assistant
Successful candidates will initially be employed on a fixed-term basis as Dispensary Support Learners.
They will remain in the Dispensary Support position until they are registered with the South African Pharmacy Council as Learner Basic Pharmacist Assistants.
Participants must complete all required theoretical and practical training before they can qualify as Basic Pharmacist Assistants.
Is Permanent Employment Guaranteed?
Permanent employment is not guaranteed at the beginning of the learnership.
According to the programme information, permanent employment may only be offered once the learner has successfully qualified and registered as a Basic Pharmacist Assistant.
Any permanent appointment will still depend on successful completion of the programme and the employer’s applicable recruitment conditions.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful learners will work under the supervision and approval of qualified pharmacy professionals.
Their responsibilities may include:
- Assisting with the sale of Schedule 1 medicines and scheduled substances.
- Supporting the preparation and compounding of non-sterile medicines.
- Following formulas and standard operating procedures approved by the responsible pharmacist.
- Unpacking and merchandising dispensary stock.
- Cleaning dispensary and over-the-counter shelves.
- Completing duties assigned by the Dispensary Manager.
- Learning how to interpret prescriptions accurately.
- Working within the legal requirements established by the South African Pharmacy Council.
Medicine Picking, Packing and Labelling
Learners will receive practical exposure to the processes followed when preparing medication for patients.
They may assist with:
- Picking the correct medication.
- Packing medication accurately.
- Labelling medication.
- Checking common dosages.
- Developing awareness of important medicine interactions.
- Referring all completed medication to a pharmacist for checking.
- Ensuring that medication is approved and signed by a pharmacist.
Learners may not independently perform duties reserved for qualified and registered pharmacy professionals.
Dispensary Stock Management
Successful candidates may assist with stock-control duties relating to Schedule 1 to Schedule 5 medicines and scheduled substances.
Responsibilities may include:
- Arranging medicine on shelves.
- Maintaining clean and organised storage areas.
- Checking medicine expiry dates.
- Reporting low stock levels.
- Reporting out-of-stock items.
- Identifying stock discrepancies.
- Receiving dispensary stock.
- Following the company’s stock-receiving procedures.
Accuracy is important because medicines must be stored, recorded and handled according to established pharmacy standards.
Patient and Customer Support
The learner may assist with patient-service and administrative responsibilities, including:
- Following up with patients about prescription-tracking reports.
- Confirming follow-up appointments.
- Assisting with patient telephone calls.
- Supporting call-centre prescription queries.
- Providing approved health-related information.
- Supporting scheme authorisation processes.
- Assisting with chronic medicine administration.
- Supporting HIV, AIDS and oncology medicine authorisations.
All patient information must be treated confidentially and professionally.
Skills and Competencies
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Good written and verbal communication.
- English and second-language proficiency.
- Customer-service skills.
- Listening skills.
- Problem-solving ability.
- Time management.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Teamwork.
- Conflict-management skills.
- Accountability.
- Professional conduct.
- Honesty and trustworthiness.
- Computer literacy.
- Numerical ability.
Why Attention to Detail Matters
Dispensary work requires high levels of accuracy because errors involving medicines can have serious consequences.
Learners must therefore be able to:
- Follow instructions carefully.
- Check information before completing tasks.
- Ask for assistance when uncertain.
- Work according to approved pharmacy procedures.
- Escalate errors or unusual issues to the pharmacist.
- Protect confidential patient information.
Documents Applicants Should Prepare
Applicants should prepare the following documents before beginning the online application:
- An updated CV.
- A copy of their South African identity document.
- A copy of their Grade 12 certificate.
- A copy of their academic results showing Pure Mathematics.
- Results showing Physical Science or Life Science.
- Copies of any additional qualifications.
- Any other documents requested on the application portal.
Applicants should ensure that their academic results clearly show an average of at least 50%.
How to Apply for Dis-Chem Dispensary Support Learnerships 2026/2027
Applications must be submitted through the official Dis-Chem recruitment portal.
NB. Use the links given below to Apply
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Location: Benoni, Gauteng
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Dispensary Support – Fixed Term
Complete the online application form and upload all required supporting documents before the closing date. The official recruitment platform allows candidates to view current vacancies and create an applicant profile.
Application Closing Date
Applications close on 12 August 2026.
Applicants should submit their applications early to avoid technical delays or incomplete submissions on the final day.
Important Application Advice
Before submitting the application, applicants should confirm that:
- They completed Grade 12.
- They studied Pure Mathematics.
- They completed Physical Science or Life Science.
- Their academic average is at least 50%.
- Their CV contains updated contact details.
- All uploaded documents are clear.
- Every required section of the online form is complete.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee selection.
About Dis-Chem Pharmacies
Dis-Chem operates retail pharmacies and dispensaries across Southern Africa and provides services in pharmacy, health, beauty, personal care and wellness.
Its training programmes give qualifying learners an opportunity to develop pharmaceutical support skills within supervised retail pharmacy environments.