Dis-Chem Pharmacies is opening a pharmacy career pathway for Grade 12 candidates through its 2026/2027 Dispensary Support learnerships. Successful candidates will receive a market-related salary while completing supervised training towards registration as Learner Basic Pharmacist Assistants. Opportunities are available at selected stores, with different closing dates for each application portal.
This programme is aimed at candidates who want to enter the pharmaceutical environment but do not yet hold a pharmacist assistant qualification.
Learners will combine structured coursework with practical experience inside a Dis-Chem dispensary. No fixed number of months is advertised, as participants remain on fixed-term contracts while completing the required training and registration process.
Who has the right academic background for this learnership?
Dis-Chem requires candidates who completed Grade 12 or an equivalent Senior Certificate.
The academic requirements are specific because pharmacy training involves calculations, medicine dosages and scientific principles.
Applicants need:
- Grade 12 or an equivalent Senior Certificate
- Pure Mathematics with at least 50%
- Life Science or Physical Science
- An overall academic average of at least 50%
- Good numerical ability
- Basic computer skills
- English language proficiency
- The ability to communicate in a second language
Pure Mathematics is required. Mathematical Literacy is not listed as an accepted alternative.
Candidates must also be South African citizens and meet the company’s screening requirements.
What does the Basic Pharmacist Assistant pathway involve?
The learnership prepares candidates to complete the Learner Basic Pharmacist Assistant course while receiving practical experience in a working dispensary.
Successful candidates will initially be employed as Dispensary Support learners. They will work under the direct supervision of pharmacists and other registered pharmacy professionals.
During the programme, learners must complete:
- The required theoretical learning
- Supervised workplace activities
- Practical assessments
- A proficiency test
- The registration requirements of the South African Pharmacy Council
Learners cannot independently perform duties reserved for qualified pharmacy professionals.
What practical experience will learners receive?
Participants will be introduced to the daily processes involved in operating a professional retail dispensary.
Their supervised responsibilities may include:
- Assisting with Schedule 1 medicines and scheduled substances
- Preparing approved non-sterile medicines
- Following dispensing formulas and standard procedures
- Learning how to interpret prescriptions correctly
- Picking and packing medication
- Labelling medication accurately
- Checking common dosages
- Developing awareness of medicine interactions
- Referring prepared medication to a pharmacist
- Unpacking and arranging dispensary stock
- Cleaning dispensary and over-the-counter shelves
- Checking medicine expiry dates
- Reporting low and unavailable stock
- Receiving dispensary deliveries
- Supporting prescription-tracking processes
All medication must be checked and approved by a pharmacist before it is given to a patient.
How will learners support patients?
The programme also introduces learners to the customer-service and administrative responsibilities found in a dispensary.
Learners may assist with:
- Patient-service telephone calls
- Prescription-tracking follow-ups
- Appointment reminders
- Approved health-information support
- Medical scheme authorisations
- Chronic medicine administration
- HIV and AIDS medicine authorisations
- Oncology medicine authorisations
Patient information must always be handled confidentially.
Learners should be respectful, professional and careful when working with personal or medical information.
Which personal qualities will help candidates succeed?
Dispensary work requires accuracy, accountability and the ability to follow instructions.
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Strong attention to detail
- Professional communication
- Good listening skills
- Customer-service ability
- Time management
- Problem-solving skills
- Teamwork
- Honesty and trustworthiness
- Accountability
- The ability to meet deadlines
- The ability to remain calm under pressure
- Respect for confidential information
Accuracy is essential because mistakes involving medicine could have serious consequences for patients.
What will successful learners earn?
Dis-Chem describes the remuneration as a market-related salary. The monthly amount is not stated.
Successful candidates will receive fixed-term employment while completing the training and registration requirements.
Additional employment conditions include:
- Completing a proficiency assessment
- Passing applicable criminal and credit screening
- Working under professional supervision
- Following pharmacy legislation
- Complying with company procedures
- Providing accurate academic and personal information
Dis-Chem considers its Employment Equity Plan during recruitment and supports the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Will completing the learnership lead to permanent employment?
Permanent employment is not guaranteed when a candidate enters the programme.
Participants must first complete the theoretical and practical training. They must then qualify and register as Basic Pharmacist Assistants.
A permanent appointment may only be considered after the learner has completed the programme successfully and met Dis-Chem’s employment requirements.
Which documents should candidates prepare?
The online application process requires candidates to provide personal, academic and employment information.
Prepare the following documents before beginning:
- An updated curriculum vitae
- A copy of your South African identity document
- A copy of your Grade 12 certificate
- Academic results showing Pure Mathematics
- Results showing Life Science or Physical Science
- Copies of additional qualifications where applicable
- Any other document requested on the application portal
Make sure that every document is clear and easy to read.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Check your Grade 12 subjects before starting the online application. Pure Mathematics is required, and Mathematical Literacy is not listed as an alternative. Save your curriculum vitae, identity document and academic results as separate, clearly named files before opening the portal.
Where are Dis-Chem Dispensary Support learnerships available?
Each store has a separate application portal. Candidates should select a store where they can realistically attend training and complete the workplace component.
Newmarket Lifestyle learnership
The Newmarket Lifestyle programme is available in Alberton. Applications close on 21 July 2026.
Applications must be submitted through the official Newmarket Lifestyle online application portal.
Irene Link learnership
The Irene Link programme is available in Centurion. Applications close on 9 August 2026.
Applications must be submitted through the official Irene Link online application portal.
Farramere learnership
The Farramere programme is available in Benoni. Applications close on 12 August 2026.
Applications must be submitted through the official Farramere online application portal.
Adelphi Centre learnership
The Adelphi Centre programme is available at the Sea Point store in Cape Town.
No closing date is displayed. Candidates should complete their applications through the official Adelphi Centre online application portal while it remains accessible.
Kenilworth Centre learnership
The Kenilworth Centre programme is available in Cape Town.
No closing date is displayed. Applications must be submitted through the official Kenilworth Centre online application portal.
Long Beach Mall learnership
The Long Beach Mall programme is available in Noordhoek.
No closing date is displayed. Applications must be submitted through the official Long Beach Mall online application portal as soon as possible.
How should candidates complete the application?
Open the portal for your preferred store and review the advertised requirements before beginning.
Candidates will need to provide:
- Personal details
- Contact information
- Education history
- Grade 12 subjects and results
- Employment history where applicable
- Language proficiency
- Registration eligibility information
- Availability for training
- Answers to the screening questionnaire
The portal also provides sections for uploading a curriculum vitae and supporting documents.
Before submitting, check that:
- Your name matches your identity document
- Your contact number is active
- Your email address is correct
- Your Grade 12 subjects are entered accurately
- Your academic results are readable
- Your curriculum vitae is current
- You selected the correct store
- Every required section is complete
Do not submit inaccurate information. Dis-Chem may verify personal, academic and employment details during the selection process.
What happens after the application is submitted?
Only shortlisted candidates will receive further communication.
The next stage may include:
- Document verification
- Academic checks
- Criminal and credit screening
- A proficiency assessment
- An interview
- Registration-related checks
- Further instructions from the relevant store
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee selection.
Applicants who have not received communication within two weeks after the applicable closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.
What are candidates asking about the programme?
Can candidates with Mathematical Literacy participate?
The programme requires Pure Mathematics with at least 50%. Mathematical Literacy is not listed as an accepted alternative.
Is previous pharmacy experience required?
Previous pharmacy experience is listed as advantageous rather than essential. The programme is designed to train suitable candidates towards becoming Basic Pharmacist Assistants.
Does the programme provide a stipend?
The advertisements describe the payment as a market-related salary rather than a stipend. The exact monthly amount is not stated.
How long will the learnership run?
No fixed number of months is provided. Participants remain in fixed-term employment while completing the training and registration requirements.
Can candidates submit applications for different stores?
Each store has a separate portal. Candidates may submit for suitable locations if they can realistically attend training at those stores and provide accurate information in every application.
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Final Thoughts
The Dis-Chem Dispensary Support learnership offers Grade 12 candidates a structured pathway into the pharmaceutical environment.
Candidates need Pure Mathematics, Life Science or Physical Science and an overall academic average of at least 50%. Those who meet the requirements should prepare their documents, select the most suitable store and complete the relevant application before its portal closes.
