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 seeking an enthusiastic Outpatient Pharmacy Assistant to join the team. The role initially focuses on dispensing in the outpatient department and expands to a mix of clinical and commercial tasks as services grow.

The successful candidate will handle reception duties, communicate effectively with patients, and adapt quickly to new processes, contributing to high-quality, patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• To support outpatient pharmacy with dispensing services and clinical and commercial activities as services develop.
• Working in the reception area as first point of contact with patients; provide excellent communication and people skills.
• Be organized with a can-do approach and adapt quickly to new situations.
• Provide a supportive environment enabling professional and personal development.

Skills

Patient care

Teamwork

Flexibility

Professionalism

IT skills

Training

Analytical skills

Process improvement

Education

Level 2 qualification

Level 3 qualification

Medicines Counter Assistant qualification

Tools

JAC Pharmacy System

Prescription tracking system

Job description

Go back Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Outpatient Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 30 September 2026

Band 2 to 3 or Band 3 (£25,272 - £27,476 Per annum, pro rata)

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: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Interview date: 08 October 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.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Job responsibilities

NHS Staff Survey: Our staff scored Autonomy and Control at 7.19, well above the national average. Here, youre trusted to lead, innovate, and shape your work.

Milton Keynes Hospital opened in 1984 and became a University Hospital in April 2015 in partnership with the University of Buckingham. We have around 450 beds and provide general hospital services for planned and emergency care to a population of approximately 300 000 people. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated Good by the CQC.

The Trust employs around 3000 people and our values apply to every member of our team. The MK Way focuses on care, communication, collaboration and contribution. To be a successful applicant will need to demonstrate that you share these values.

Please refer to attached Job description for further information.

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust,all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

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

£25,272 to £27,476 a yearPer annum, pro rata