Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Assistant

NHS Jobs; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Swindon is seeking a Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Assistant to support medicines optimisation across inpatient wards within our acute hospital setting. Working with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and nursing staff, you will contribute to medicines management, patient counselling, discharge planning and improvements in patient safety under supervision.

The post holder will also support and supervise more junior staff in ward-based medicines

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs including Maths and English at Grade C or above.
• Knowledge of procedures for Pharmacy Services; on-the-job training.
• Dispensing accuracy accreditation (South West scheme or equivalent).
• Completed PWDS Final Accuracy Checking Programme.
• Completed medicines optimisation for support staff training/competency.
• Completed or willing to work towards Management and Leadership competencies.
• Experience in hospital pharmacy services or supervisory experience in a related setting.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of ward-based medicines optimisation across inpatient areas.
• Ensure patients’ own medicines are assessed, managed and used appropriately.
• Coordinate medicines-related discharge processes for timely and safe discharge.
• Monitor discharge prescriptions and liaise with pharmacy and ward teams to resolve delays.
• Communicate medicines changes to patients, carers, community pharmacies and primary care.
• Assist with medication ordering and discharge dispensing within planning processes.
• Provide patients with information and support regarding their medicines under supervision.
• Collaborate with pharmacists, technicians and clinicians to resolve routine issues.
• Support stock management and medicines governance in clinical areas.
• Participate in audits, service improvements and data collection.

Education

NVQ Level 2 (Pharmacy Services) or equivalent

PWDS Final Accuracy Checking Programme

Medicines optimisation for support staff training/competency

Management and Leadership competencies (towards)

Completed or willing to work towards GD (general education) knowledge

Job description

Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 08 October 2026

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and patient-focused Medicines Optimisation Assistant to join our dynamic Pharmacy Team within our acute hospital setting.

This exciting NEW role will support the delivery of high-quality medicines optimisation services across a range of inpatient wards and clinical specialties. Working closely with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nursing staff and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will play a key role in ensuring patients receive safe, effective and timely medicines throughout their hospital journey.

The successful candidate will contribute to medicines management, patient counselling, discharge planning and the promotion of best practice in medicines optimisation, helping to improve patient outcomes and enhance the patient experience. The post holder will also support and supervise more junior staff in the delivery of ward-based medicines optimisation activities.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role. We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

• Support the delivery of medicines optimisation services across inpatient wards.
• Ensure patients' own medicines are assessed, managed and utilised appropriately during admission.
• Actively co-ordinate medicines-related discharge processes to facilitate timely and safe patient discharge.
• Monitor discharge prescriptions and liaise with pharmacy, ward teams and prescribers to identify and resolve delays.
• Support the transfer of care process by ensuring accurate communication of medicines changes to patients, carers, community pharmacies and primary care providers.
• Support timely discharges by assisting with medication ordering, dispensing of discharges as part of the discharge planning processes.
• Provide patients with information and support regarding their medicines under the supervision of pharmacy professionals.
• Work collaboratively with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nursing staff and medical teams to resolve routine medicines-related issues.
• Support stock management and medicines governance processes within clinical areas.
• Participate in audits, service improvement initiatives and data collection activities.

About us

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.

We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Job responsibilities

See attached Job description and personal specification for full details.

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances, in discussion with the post holder. This role profile is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role with initial and on-going discussions with the designated manager.

Person Specification

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent, including Maths and English, at Grade C or above
• Knowledge of procedures for Pharmacy Services - on the job training, experience to NVQ3 or equivalent
• NVQ Level 2 (Pharmacy Services) or equivalent
• Dispensing accuracy accreditation. South West scheme or equivalent
• Completed PWDS Final Accuracy Checking Programme
• Completed medicines optimisation for support staff training/competency
• Completed or willing to work towards Management and Leadership competencies
• Previous training in the Pharmacy services with a good education and understanding of GD

Experience

• Experience as a hospital pharmacy assistant, or supervisory experience in a community Pharmacy
• Recent practical experience in a busy dispensing environment
• Managing own workload to meet the needs of a service
• Experience of supervising, directing, organising and monitoring performance in a high-pressured environment
• Experience of leading teams and staff management
• Experience of training individuals

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£28,392 to £31,157 a yearper annum pro rata