Pharmacy Assistant | Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a compassionate Pharmacy Assistant to join their team at HMP Portland. This role focuses on stock control and dispensing medications. Candidates should ideally have an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or relevant healthcare experience. The position involves ensuring high standards and efficiency in pharmacy services within a prison environment.

Benefits

NHS pension

Career and personal development opportunities

Qualifications

• Healthcare experience or willingness to pursue NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to follow procedures.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the efficient running of the pharmacy service.
• Dispense clinically screened prescriptions and medication.
• Manage stock control and medicines optimisation work.

Skills

Pharmacy Services knowledge

Stock control management

Communication skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Overview

Are you ready to unlock your potential within a challenging, creative and fast paced work environment? Do you want to work with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past?

As part of the South West Prison Healthcare contract awarded to Oxleas NHS trust in 2022, we are able to expand recruitment and are looking for a compassionate, knowledgeable and motivated Pharmacy Assistant to join our friendly team at HMP Portland. Our healthcare team have a real impact on promoting health and well-being to those in prison and we pride ourselves on using skills and strategies that instil hope for patients future resettlement back into the community. We directly deliver Mental Health, Physical Health, Pharmacy and Clinical Substance Misuse in an integrated healthcare delivery model to provide effective and responsive care to improve wellbeing and support better outcomes in the future. As part of our pharmacy service (OPS), you will enjoy all the benefits of NHS AfC employment (inc pension) with the opportunity to work within a forward-thinking service, who encourage career and personal development to all staff to increase their clinical and interpersonal skills.

Important Sponsorship Information for this post: We are currently unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this post.

Responsibilities

• As a Pharmacy Assistant, you will contribute towards the smooth and efficient running of the pharmacy service on site within the prison. This will include all aspects of stock control (routine ordering, receipt of goods, computer input, storage of medicines), dispensing clinically screened prescriptions and dispensing weekly/monthly in possession medication to patients.
• You will work out of Medication Administration Points (Meds hatches) on the wings and in the healthcare department, acting as the second checker for controlled drug administration.
• Undertake administration of weekly and monthly In Possession medication to patients.
• To ensure that medicines are sourced in a timely manner.
• To accurately use the pharmacy computer system to receive goods into the pharmacy store according to departmental SOPs.
• To ensure high standards and accuracy of work and to ensure all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are read and adhered to.
• To ensure medicines returned from clinical areas are sorted and either returned to stock or disposed of safely and appropriately in accordance with GDP, Trust guidelines and departmental procedures.
• To ensure that all work carried out in procurement is done in accordance with current legislation, including GDP and departmental and Trust financial procedures.
• To manage Medicines Optimisation work in treatment areas ensuring tasks are carried out in a timely manner and orders are received on time.
• To communicate with the Pharmacy/Healthcare department to place orders, chase receipt of goods and to query discrepancies.
• To deal with telephone queries and staff visiting the department, as first point of contact, dealing with them or referring to others if required according to SOPs.
• To communicate, as necessary, with external regulatory bodies, information pertaining to the WDL or other requests.
• Post holders will need to undertake a prison security check (level 2) prior to being employed, as well the standard NHS recruitment checks.

Qualifications

• Ideally applicants will have an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services, however we will accept applicants who have healthcare experience and are interested in being put through the NVQ L2 by Oxleas.

Additional information

• Oxleas Prison Services Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and provides the pharmacy services to the prison pharmacy contracts. We are recruiting to newly established posts.
• Oxleas Prison Services Ltd and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust has a long history of innovation and strong collaboration with medical staff, audit and research projects.
• All applicants must be willing to undertake National Security Vetting in order to work in a Prison Setting. This will be completed as part of the pre-employment checks through Oxleas and the prison vetting team.
• You will need to provide: Proof of right to work documentation, Proof of ID (1 photographic ID), Proof of address documentation, and for non-UK passport holders, correct documentation (right to work in the UK) and a Home Office Share code. Address history for 5 years; Police Certificate if required; and for UK passport holders who have resided abroad, a certificate of good conduct or overseas police check where applicable. Guidance on criminal records checks for overseas applicants is available on gov.uk.
• This advert closes on Wednesday 8 Oct 2025.