Pharmacy Services Assistant

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A distinguished healthcare institution is seeking a highly motivated pharmacy services assistant to join their team in Cambridge. This entry-level position offers comprehensive training and the chance to progress from Band 2 to Band 3. Responsibilities include assisting with stock control and dispensing medicines. Ideal candidates will have good communication skills and a willingness to contribute to a diverse team. The role supports flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Previous experience of working within a pharmacy environment.
• Willingness to work towards NVQ L2 Pharmacy Services award.
• Able to undertake manual handling tasks such as moving medicines weighing around 5kg.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the provision of a ward top-up service.
• Ensure accurate stock control of medicines.
• Dispense and label medicines for Royal Papworth patients.

Skills

Good spoken and written English (Communication skills)

Good personal organisational skills

Good interpersonal skills

Ability to work within a team

Able to work calmly and efficiently under pressure

Education

GCSE English and Maths (Grade A-C) or equivalent qualification

NVQ L2 Pharmacy Services award or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Go back Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The pharmacy department are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and reliable member of staff to join the existing pharmacy team. As a department we encourage diversity and actively support people to fit their role around their individual circumstances whilst maintaining a high quality service - many of the team work on a part-time or flexible basis. Previous experience in working in a Dispensary or pharmacy is desirable but not essential as training will be provided. Taking on a role as a pharmacy services assistant is an excellent way of starting your career in hospital pharmacy.

Upskilling and the opportunity to progress from Band 2 to Band 3 is available for this role.

The closing date is 26 October 2025

Main duties of the job

• To accept deliveries into the department and process in line with trust policy
• To assist in the provision of a ward top-up service
• To ensure accurate stock control of medicines and maintain the replenishment of sundries
• Accurately and efficiently dispense and label medicines for Royal Papworth patients
• Customer service -- greeting and assisting patients and staff who present to the department
• You will be required to work closely with other members of the pharmacy team, to help deliver an efficient and effective pharmacy service to the hospital.
• To successfully complete the relevant units of the NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Services course
• To participate in weekend, bank holiday and late evening duties

About us

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK's leading heart and lung hospital, delivering care to more than 50,000 patients a year in its new state-of-the-art hospital in Cambridge. We perform the most heart and/or lung transplants in the UK and carried out the UK's first successful heart transplant in 1979. It also offers emergency heart attack treatment, sleep centre care and is one of just five centres nationally for those in severe respiratory failure.

Based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus the largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe the Trust is at the heart of treatments of the future. Royal Papworth became the first hospital trust in the country to be rated outstanding in all five areas assessed by the Care Quality Commission - a rating it still holds today. The Trust holds its values of compassion, excellence & collaboration at its core, and all colleagues joining the team are expected to uphold these in their day-to-day roles & interactions. Royal Papworth is proud of its diverse workforce and encourages people to embrace their individuality.

The Trust values difference and welcomes all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion & belief, sex and sexual orientation. Providing they meet the minimum post criteria, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview.

For a street view tour: https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/virtual-tour

Job responsibilities

On this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about the hospital and full details about the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. Please include how you will meet the Trust Values Compassion, Excellence and Collaboration. If you would like more information about the role or working at Royal Papworth Hospital, please get in touch with the contact for this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ L2 Pharmacy Services award or equivalent (as recognised by GPhC) (Or willingness to work towards)
• GCSE English and Maths (Grade A-C) or equivalent qualification
• Previous experience of working within a pharmacy environment

Experience

• Good spoken and written English (Communication skills)
• Good personal organisational skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Awareness of personal limitations
• Ability to work within a team
• Able to work calmly and efficiently under pressure

Additional Criteria

• Please provide evidence of your commitment to uphold the Trust's values: Compassion, Excellence, Collaboration
• Basic keyboard skills
• Able to attend college if necessary
• Able to undertake manual handling tasks such as moving medicines weighing around 5kg around the site

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

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£24,465 a year • Opportunity to progress to band 3