Pharmacy Assistant - Dispensary/Logistics

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

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Ipswich seeks a Pharmacy Services Assistant to support logistics and dispensary operations. The role involves dispensing medication and managing stock while ensuring excellent customer service. Candidates should have at least 2 GCSEs including Maths and English, alongside motivation for training and development. A commitment to team work and the ability to perform under pressure is essential. This position offers generous benefits including training opportunities and NHS discounts.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

27 days annual leave on commencement

Access to NHS discounts

Qualifications

• Must be willing and able to undertake the Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 apprenticeship course.
• Experience working as part of a team or individually under supervision.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Support Logistics and Dispensary teams providing pharmacy services.
• Dispense medication for in and out patients.
• Manage stock in various areas including hospital and community hospitals.

Skills

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Education

At least 2 GCSEs (or equivalent) Grade C or above including Maths and English

NVQ L2 Certificate in Pharmacy service skills

Job description

Overview

Go back East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 28 September 2025

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, motivated, responsible individual to join the pharmacy team and be an integral part of our 7 day service. We are a busy department covering a diverse range of activities and functions including: dispensary, logistics, quality control, manufacture and preparation of medicines and products including chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition, clinical trials, ward based/clinical activities, medicines information and community services. On the job training will be given with departmental competencies to complete. You must have at least 2 GCSEs at Grade C or above (or equivalent), including Maths and English. Must be willing, able and eligible to undertake the L2 Pharmacy Service skills apprenticeship (if not already achieved) and any other required training. If you are an enthusiastic and flexible individual who reacts positively to change, this pharmacy role may be for you. The ability to work calmly and effectively in a busy environment; an eye for detail, good team-working and interpersonal skills are all key skills for this role. As well as being able to follow written procedures, work under supervision, complete tasks accurately to set deadlines, and move and handle stock including provide portering services.

Please note this position is not eligible for a Health and Social Care Visa and does not meet the requirements for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa.

Main duties of the job

Details about our pharmacy service - https://esneft.pagetiger.com/buqzfou/1

You will support our Logistics and Dispensary teams providing pharmacy services in the dispensary, store and distribution areas, including portering (transportation of stock to the wards and clinics) and ward stock top-ups.

Dispensary

Working at our reception hatch greeting customers (eg. patients, hospital staff), taking payment, receiving and giving out prescriptions, dealing with phone calls and helping with basic queries, referring when required.

Dispensing medication for in and out patients, community hospitals and units.

Logistics

Supporting with stock management in all areas of work, receipt and safe storage of goods, picking and packing stock orders for the hospital and community hospitals. Movement of stock across the hospital site including heavy loads (portering). Stock topping-up on wards and return and recycling of medicines no longer required.

Stock rotation and expiry date checking.

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• At least 2 GCSEs (or equivalent) Grade C or above including maths and English (New GCSEs Grade 4 - 9)
• Willing and able/eligible to undertake the Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 apprenticeship course or relevant units/training as defined by management (unless already attained).
• NVQ L2 Certificate in Pharmacy service skills or unit accreditation (or GPHC equivalent qualification) eg. Pharmacy Services Assistant L2

Experience

• Working effectively as part of a team or alone under supervision.
• Working effectively under pressure.
• Moving and handling loads
• Applying theory to practice
• Working in a busy and stressful environment

Knowledge

• Basic knowledge of stock control/rotation.
• Standards for pharmacy professionals (GPhC)

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

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust