Outpatient Pharmacy Assistant

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is inviting applications for an Outpatient Pharmacy Assistant. The role supports outpatient dispensing, patient reception, and stock management within a forward‑looking pharmacy team.

Band 2 to Band 3 progression is possible with NVQ Level 2 andCertificate in Pharmacy Service Skills, with flexibility for arrangements. The post offers full-time hours (37.5 per week) and a commitment to high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer service in a healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of medicines management and policies.
• Basic pharmacy qualifications and willingness to train further.

Responsibilities

• Provide dispensing services to the outpatient department and support clinical and commercial activities.
• Serve patients at reception with excellent communication and care.
• Train and supervise other pharmacy staff in the reception area.
• Replenish stock and consumables in outpatient pharmacy and coordinate with main pharmacy.

Skills

Customer Service

Communication

Teamwork

IT Skills

Professional attitude

Education

NVQ level 2 / GCSE equivalent

NVQ level 3 / AS or A Levels

Medicines Counter Assistant qualification

Tools

JAC Pharmacy System

Prescription tracking system

Job description

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Outpatient Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 06 November 2026

Band 2 to 3 or Band 3 (£25,272 - £27,476 per annum)

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

It is an exciting time to join the pharmacy team at MKUH as we are continually growing in size and influence. We have recently undergone a major departmental refurbishment which included the installation of a new Pharmacy Robot and Controlled Drugs automated cabinet, the opening a new Pharmacy and Aseptic Unit in our Cancer Centre and the opening of a new Outpatient Pharmacy. Our services are being developed to ensure that every patient receives safe, high quality care as our patients are at the heart of everything that we do.

Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Interview date: W/C 12 November 2026

Main duties of the job

To support this, we are currently looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Pharmacy Assistant to be part of our outpatient pharmacy team. Initially providing dispensing services to our busy outpatient department, the post will provide a mix of clinical and commercial activities as we develop our services to outpatients and the Trust.

Working in the reception area you will be the first point of contact for our patients so having excellent communication and people skills is essential alongside the commitment to provide the best patient-centered care. You will be organised with a can-do approach and have the ability to adapt quickly to new situations.

If you are successful, you will work in a supportive and forward-thinking environment where you will be encouraged with your professional and personal development.

This post is offered on Band 3 or on a Band 2 progressing to a Band 3 on successful completion of NVQ level 2 Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills and suitable performance.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

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Job responsibilities

Trust responsibilities:

• To be part of the Pharmacy team and work to enable the objectives of the Pharmacy and the Trust to be achieved.

Professional responsibilities:

• To be accountable for providing a high standard of service provision and customer service.

Clinical practice:

• To respond to common clinical conditions and minor ailments described by patients using the WWHAM mnemonic, recommending suitable over-the-counter (OTC) products and providing advice on their correct use. This will include consideration of danger symptoms and referring to the Responsible Pharmacist (RP) or other healthcare professionals and providing information on non-drug management of the condition to avoid recurrence.

Staff training & development:

• To train and supervise other pharmacy staff working in the reception area including Pre-Registration Technicians and Trainee Pharmacists.

Operational responsibilities:

• To serve patients and staff politely and efficiently, responding to their needs and referring to the RP or Outpatient Pharmacy technician appropriately.
• To be responsible for the replenishment of stock and consumables in the outpatient pharmacy to include frequent transportation from the main pharmacy and storing in the outpatient pharmacy.

Please refer to the Job Description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• Level 2 qualification or equivalent (e.g. NVQ level 2, GCSE) or equivalent experience
• Level 3 qualification or equivalent (e.g. AS or A Levels, BTEC, NVQ level 3) or equivalent experience
• Medicines Counter Assistant and qualification (or willing to undertake required course)
• Knowledge of medicines management, including relevant legislation and policies, acquired through basic qualification plus specialist training or experience

Experience

• Customer Service experience
• Hospital Pharmacy or Community Health Services Pharmacy experience
• Experience of using the JAC Pharmacy System
• Experience using prescription tracking system
• Experience in stock control management

Skills

• Dedication to high quality patient care
• Ability to work as part of a team and provide support to other colleagues
• Flexible to meet service and patient needs
• Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations
• IT Skills for dispensing and stock management
• Good training skills
• Evidence of analytical and judgement skills when faced with facts or situations requiring analysis e.g. managing urgent requirements or prioritising work to meet patient need
• Evidence of proposing changes to practices or procedures for own area

Personal and people development

• Personal and people development
• Polite and courteous
• Professional attitude
• Initiative and common sense
• Self-motivated and team player

Communication

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
• Evidence of ability to communicate clearly with and respond to queries from patients, carers, and staff

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.

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust