Pharmacy Support Worker - North Sector

NHS Scotland; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

27 days annual leave plus holidays

Cycle to Work Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

NHS discounts on goods and services

Job summary

Glasgow Royal Infirmary is recruiting a Pharmacy Support Worker to join NHSGGC's pharmacy team. You will label and dispense medicines for inpatient and outpatient use, manage ward stock, and support nursing staff with medicines housekeeping in a busy hospital setting.

The role offers permanent employment, 36 hours per week, with shifts across 08:50-17:00 or 09:50-18:00, while further training and development opportunities are provided within NHSGGC.

Qualifications

• General education with 3 Standard Grades (or equivalent), including English and Maths.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively using clear written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Label and dispense medicines clinically screened by a pharmacist for inpatient and outpatient use.
• Dispense controlled drugs prescriptions, maintain accurate medicine balances, and process ward requisitions.
• Support stock management activities including stock checks, rotation and expiry monitoring.
• Coordinate ward stock top-up services and assist nursing staff with medicines housekeeping.
• Organise and prioritise daily tasks to meet service demands as part of the pharmacy team.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

3 Standard Grades incl English & Maths

Tools

Stock management systems

Pharmacy stock control system

Job description

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a self-motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the friendly pharmacy team at Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI). Working as part of a large acute teaching hospital pharmacy service, you will play an integral role in ensuring the safe and effective supply of medicines to patients across a wide range of specialist services. Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) is a large acute teaching hospital and home to major specialist services such as National Burns & Plastics Centre, Cardiology, Gynaecology, Critical Care and Princess Royal Maternity Hospital. It has a capacity of around 1000 beds spread over a large campus situated on the outskirts of Glasgow City Centre. GRI sits under the North Sector Pharmacy Management Team; other sites include Stobhill ACH, Gartnavel General Hospital, The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and the Vale of Leven Hospital.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) may be able to provide visa sponsorship for certain roles, subject to the post meeting the relevant eligibility criteria. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and will be determined on a case-by-case basis following interview and during the pre-employment verification process. Applicants must state their current right to work in their application.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

Permanent - Role may also have requirement to work on other sites within the North Sector

Glasgow Royal Infirmary

36 Hours per week (08.50 - 17.00 or 09.50 - 18.00)

Key Responsibilities

You will be responsible for labelling and dispensing medicines that have been clinically screened by a pharmacist for both inpatient and outpatient use. The role includes dispensing controlled drugs prescriptions, maintaining accurate medicine balances, and processing ward requisitions through the pharmacy stock control system. You will support stock management activities including stock checks, stock rotation and expiry date monitoring. In a ward-based, patient-facing environment, you will coordinate ward stock top-up services, assist nursing staff with medicines housekeeping, advise on appropriate medicine stock levels, and help reduce waste by identifying and managing slow-moving or excess stock. You will also organise and prioritise daily tasks to meet the demands of the service while working effectively as part of the wider pharmacy team.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

• General education with 3 Standard Grades (or equivalent), including English and Maths.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively using clear written and spoken English.
• Basic IT skills.
• Ability to follow set procedures and work accurately.
• Willingness to learn new skills and undertake training.
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise workload using initiative.

Desirable

• Experience of training and supervising staff.
• Experience of stock management systems.
• Experience working within healthcare or a similar environment.
• SVQ/NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy qualification.
• Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy policies, standard operating procedures and legislation relating to dispensing and supplying medicines.

Training and Development

• Successful candidates will undertake the SVQ in Pharmacy Services Group Award (SCQF Level 6) in line with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) requirements.
• Comprehensive on-the-job training programme lasting approximately 18 months to achieve full competence as a Pharmacy Support Worker.

What We Offer

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

For An Informal Discussion, Please Contact

Amanda Hepburn, Pharmacy Team Lead, 0141 201 3242, [e-mail]

Chris Devlin, Pharmacy Team Lead, 0141 201 3242, [e-mail]

This post may require a satisfactory PVG Scheme record check.

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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as "various", we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

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