Pharmacy Assistant

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking Pharmacy Assistants in Exeter to support the supply of essential medicines. The role includes responsibilities like repacking medicine bags and ensuring patient safety. This position offers a standardized work week, the opportunity for career progression, and extensive holiday entitlements. Candidates should have a Pharmacy Qualification or the ability to attain one, and good computer literacy is essential. The role is fit for those aspiring for a career in a progressive healthcare environment.

Benefits

Holiday entitlements of 27 days, rising to 33 after 10 years

Pay enhancements for overtime

Career and salary progression

Free parking across Trust sites

Cycle-to-work scheme

Access to discounts from various organizations

Qualifications

• Pharmacy Qualification or ability to attain it after training.
• Full Driving Licence with a maximum of 3 points, driving experience.
• Good computer literacy to operate an electronic inventory system.

Responsibilities

• Repack Medicine bags/pouches for checking and use by clinicians.
• Receive and store medicines according to procedures.
• Pick & pack medicines into bags/pouches before use.

Skills

Good computer literacy

Ability to perform simple arithmetic

Experience with inventory management systems

Knowledge of stock control processes

Education

Pharmacy Qualification or ability to attain it

Full Driving Licence

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

Pharmacy Assistant

Closing date: 15 December 2025

We are looking for three Pharmacy Assistants to join our expanding team at Skypark in Exeter.

There has never been a better time to join the Trust's Pharmacy Team within the Supply and Delivery Service as a Pharmacy Assistant. We are currently looking to transform our ways of working by introducing a Medicines Repacking Service across the Trust. This began in a small number of sites a few years ago with Medicine bags and we are currently running a pilot in two sites using pouches which is our aim and future direction for the Trust.

The Pharmacy team offering Medicine bag / pouch repacking will play a vital role in ensuring our front line crews are ready and able to respond to emergency situations by preparing our equipment to high standards. Moving short dated stocks to larger sites to give greater opportunities for them to be used so to reduce wastage.

The role of the Pharmacy Assistant is also a gateway to the organisation with opportunities to develop you career with us either within the Pharmacy Team, Supply and Delivery team or the wider Trust in both patient-facing and a variety of support roles.

Main duties of the job

Pharmacy Assistants are responsible for repacking Medicine bags / pouches in a prescribed and controlled way ready for checking and finally use by our clinicians to treat patients. The role is a key operational support function which ensures patient safety whilst supporting Operations in meeting its targets.

• Receiving and storing medicines and pharmacy stock in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures;
• Effective stock rotation within the Stores area;
• Picking & packing Medicines into bags / pouches;
• Carrying out checking and other quality control processes;
• Supporting the returns and disposal processes;
• Liaising with relevant Pharmacy staff regarding issue resolution;

This is the start of a new initiative where we are seeking to develop our service and are looking for three committed people to work at Skypark, in Exeter. Working hours are Monday to Friday 08:30 - 16:30.

About us

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England of 10,000 square miles and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

At the heart of our beautiful and diverse region we employ over 6000 people and are supported by over 575 volunteers.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills, resources and development you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles at a higher pay grade and enjoy continuous professional development.

• A standard working week of 37.5 hours
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
• Career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking across Trust sites
• Cycle-to-work and other salary sacrifice schemes
• Staff networks
• Access to a wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

Right to work / Certificate of sponsorship

This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. You must have the existing right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.

For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

• Full Driving Licence with a maximum of 3 points, driving experience
• Pharmacy Qualification or the ability to attain after a period of training

Previous experience (Paid/Unpaid relevant to job)

• Experience in a role that required following strict guidelines and procedures.
• Previous experience of team working.
• Working in a trustworthy position.
• Previous experience in a pharmacy-related role.
• Experience of medicines management in a primary or secondary care setting.

Skills, Knowledge and Ability

• Good computer literacy to operate an electronic inventory management system, use email, Excel and Word effectively and participate in video conference calls.
• Must be able to perform simple arithmetical tasks and work methodically.
• Experience of a digital inventory management system.
• Knowledge of processes involved in stock control and managing a store.

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.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

SkyPark Exeter
Unit 1 - 9 De Havilland Road, Skypark, Clyst Honiton