Pharmacy Support Worker - Pharmacy Services

NHS Scotland; Greater London; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

27 days annual leave

Cycle to Work Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Enhanced pay for public holidays

Job summary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Pharmacy Services is recruiting a Band 3 Pharmacy Support Worker based within Inverclyde Royal Hospital (IRH) Pharmacy Department. The post holder will play a key role in ensuring the safe and effective supply of medicines to patients, supporting both ward-based and dispensary pharmacy services.

Full training will be provided, including completion of a recognised pharmacy qualification and competency programme.

Qualifications

• General education with 3 Standard Grade qualifications (or equivalent), including English and Maths.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively through clear written and spoken English.
• Ability to follow procedures, learn new skills, and undertake training.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan, prioritise, and use initiative.

Responsibilities

• Label and dispense medicines for inpatients and outpatients following pharmacist clinical screening.
• Label and dispense controlled drug prescriptions and maintain accurate medicine balances.
• Process ward requisitions using the pharmacy stock control system.
• Carry out stock checks, stock rotation, and expiry date monitoring.
• Coordinate ward stock medicine top‑up services.
• Support nursing staff with the safe storage and housekeeping of medicines.
• Monitor medicine stock levels and recommend adjustments based on usage.
• Participate in ward controlled drug audit processes.
• Identify slow‑moving or excess stock and take action to minimise medicines waste.
• Work effectively in a patient‑facing, ward‑based environment.

Skills

Numeracy

Literacy

English communication

Organisational skills

Team working

Education

3 Standard Grade qualifications (English & Maths)

Tools

Stock management system

Pharmacy information 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

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Pharmacy Services is recruiting a Band 3 Pharmacy Support Worker based within the Inverclyde Royal Hospital (IRH) Pharmacy Department. The post holder will play a key role in ensuring the safe and effective supply of medicines to patients, supporting both ward-based and dispensary pharmacy services. Full training will be provided, including completion of a recognised pharmacy qualification and competency programme.

This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa or a Health and Care Worker visa. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is unable to provide candidates or employees with a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS).

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern

• Permanent, Part-time 16.25 hours per week
• Shift pattern - 08:30 - 13:30/0 Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays
• Base location - Inverclyde Royal Hospital

Key Responsibilities

• Label and dispense medicines for inpatients and outpatients following pharmacist clinical screening.
• Label and dispense controlled drug prescriptions and maintain accurate medicine balances.
• Process ward requisitions using the pharmacy stock control system.
• Carry out stock checks, stock rotation, and expiry date monitoring.
• Coordinate ward stock medicine top‑up services.
• Support nursing staff with the safe storage and housekeeping of medicines.
• Monitor medicine stock levels and recommend adjustments based on usage.
• Participate in ward controlled drug audit processes.
• Identify slow‑moving or excess stock and take action to minimise medicines waste.
• Work effectively in a patient‑facing, ward‑based environment.

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

Essential

• General education with 3 Standard Grade qualifications (or equivalent), including English and Maths.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively through clear written and spoken English.
• Ability to follow procedures, learn new skills, and undertake training.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan, prioritise, and use initiative.

Desirable

• Experience training and supervising staff.
• Experience using stock management systems.
• Experience working within healthcare or a similar team‑based environment.
• Knowledge of policies, standard operating procedures, and legislation relating to the dispensing and supply of medicines.

Training Provided

• SVQ in Pharmacy Services Group Award (SCQF Level 6).
• Comprehensive workplace training programme lasting approximately 18 months.
• Ongoing support to develop knowledge of pharmacy procedures, legislation, and medicines management.

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.

• 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

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates

This vacancy may close early due to a high volume of applications. We recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application, but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

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.

Armed Forces Covenant

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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