Pharmacy Support Worker - Higher Level

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

27 days holiday + bank holidays

Health & wellbeing services

Onsite childcare salary sacrifice

Job summary

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Teaching Trust is seeking a Pharmacy Support Worker - Higher Level to work with the Medicines Optimisation team. The role supports ward-based pharmacists to ensure safe, timely medication delivery and patient care, with weekend/Bank Holiday rota requirements at Dewsbury.

Applicants should have NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy and Dispensing Services (or equivalent) and experience in a hospital or community pharmacy, plus strong communication and IT skills; training will be

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy and Dispensing Services (or GPHC equivalent).
• GCSEs in Maths, English and Science (grade 4+).
• Experience in a pharmacy dispensary (hospital or community).
• Experience with patients in a busy environment.
• Good standard of computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Review medicines brought to hospital and document on the electronic prescribing system.
• Order medications to prevent missed doses during a patient’s stay.
• Dispenser support on ward for discharge and counselling patients.
• Transfer medications between wards to support continuity of care.
• Support nursing staff with medication queries and ordering needs.
• Train and support Pharmacy Support Workers, Trainee Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists.

Skills

Computer skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy and Dispensing Services / GPHC equivalent

GCSEs in Maths, English and Science

Job description

Contact information

For further information about this role please contact;

Elizabeth Johnson

Specialist Pharmacy Technician

01924 319164

About the role

We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity to join the Medicines Optimisation team at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Teaching Trust as a Pharmacy Support Worker - Higher Level. In this role, you will work closely with our ward-based, clinical pharmacy team to help ensure patients receive their medications safely, efficiently and on time. You will be joining a progressive, forward-thinking Pharmacy department where innovation and teamwork are at the heart of what we do. We are a friendly and supportive team, committed to helping you settle into the role and develop your skills for the future.

This role would ideally suit an experienced or newly qualified pharmacy dispenser who is looking for a new challenge. This vacancy is to be based at the Dewsbury site.

You will have already successfully completed an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy and Dispensing Services (or a GPhC‑recognised equivalent) and have experience of working in either a community, or hospital pharmacy dispensary. We would like you to have a positive, proactive attitude and genuine passion for patient care, a strong attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to manage a busy workload whilst working both independently and as part of a team. You will also need to be confident and have clear communication skills.

There will be some weekend and Bank Holiday working on a rota basis. You may also be required to work occasionally at other sites within the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Teaching Trust.

Interviews for this post will take place at Dewsbury District Hospital.

Please note that this role is not eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship.

Main duties

As a key member of the Medicines Optimisation team, you will play an essential role in delivering a high-quality, ward-based pharmacy service by:

• Supporting patients directly—reviewing any medicines they have brought to hospital with them, ensuring they are safe to use during admission, confirming supplies for discharge, and accurately documenting details on the electronic prescribing system.
• Maintaining safe and timely care by ordering medication through the electronic prescribing system to help prevent missed doses during a patient’s stay.
• Working collaboratively with pharmacy colleagues and ward staff at all levels to help ensure the smooth and effective running of the service.
• Dispensing medication on the ward for discharge, supporting timely patient flow, and assisting the pharmacy team with counselling patients on newly prescribed treatments.
• Transferring medication between wards when required to support continuity of care.
• Providing support to nursing staff, helping them with medication queries and ordering needs.
• Contributing to staff development by supporting the training of Pharmacy Support Workers, Trainee Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Technicians, and Trainee and Foundation Pharmacists.

Essential person specification requirements

• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy and Dispensing Services (or a GPHC recognised equivalent qualification)
• GCSE's (grade 4 or above) in Maths, English and Science
• Experience of working within a pharmacy dispensary (either hospital or community)
• Experience of working with patients/customers in a busy environment
• Good standard of computer skills.

Be part of MY team

We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients' homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.

We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.

If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.

Application guidance

We understand that more applicants are using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.

Our benefits

• Access to the NHS pension plan
• Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
• Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
• Extensive benefits and support, including:
• Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
• Home electronics scheme
• Cycle to work scheme - subject to eligibility criteria
• Car lease salary sacrifice scheme - subject to eligibility criteria
• Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
• Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
• Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
• Career progression, training and support

Skilled worker sponsorship

You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our careers site.