Rotational Pharmacy Assistant

NHS; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Rotational Pharmacy Assistant to support dispensing, ward-based medicines optimisation, and stock management. You will work under supervision to ensure safe, effective pharmaceutical services across dispensary, stores, and patient wards.

You will pursue QCF Level 2 in Pharmacy Services and complete required training. The role emphasizes GDP compliance, teamwork, and delivering high-quality patient care within a hospital setting.

Qualifications

• QCF Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or willingness to work towards.
• GCSE Maths and English grade C or above or equivalent.
• Knowledge of Pharmacy Services procedures; on-the-job training; NVQ3 or equivalent.
• Experience or training in Pharmacy services with GDP understanding.

Responsibilities

• Perform general pharmaceutical duties under supervision to support safe and effective Pharmacy services.
• Dispense prescriptions in the dispensary and assist the Dispensary Manager daily operations.
• Assist with medicines optimisation on wards and manage non-stock medication orders.
• Contribute to the stores team by handling stock movement and maintaining ward stock levels.
• Ensure compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and department procedures.

Skills

Teamwork

Workload management

Hospital pharmacy experience

Education

QCF Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

GCSE Maths & English grade C or above

NVQ3 or equivalent

GDP knowledge

Job description

Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Rotational Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 25 September 2026

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role. We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.

Previous applicants need not apply

Are you passionate about patient care and ready to take the next step in your career? Our friendly and forward-thinking Pharmacy Department is looking for an exceptional individual to join our dynamic team.

Working alongside a supportive multidisciplinary group, including Pharmacy Technicians, Assistants, Pharmacists, Nurses, and Clerical staff, you'll play a vital role in ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines across our service. In this varied and rewarding role, you'll develop your dispensing skills within the Dispensary, work with Stores & Distribution areas and engage directly with patients on wards, contributing to Medicines Optimisation and Discharge Services to enhance patient care and experience.

If you're enthusiastic, motivated, and eager to grow in a collaborative environment, we'd love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

You will undertake general pharmaceutical duties under the supervision of a Section Manager or deputy, assisting in the provision of a safe and effective Pharmacy service in line with current policies, procedures and legal requirements. You will also:

• Work in the dispensary dispensing prescriptions and provide support to the dispensary manager in the day to day running of the dispensary.
• Work as part of the pharmacy stores team monitoring and maintaining ward stock levels.
• Work within patient services undertaking medicines optimisation duties on the wards, improving the quality of care to patients in a clinical area by means of an efficient medicines optimisation system. This will include assessing patients own medicines ensuring they are suitable for use in hospital and maintaining and ordering non-stock medicines for patients.

All Pharmacy staff involved in all aspects of Good Distribution Practice (EU GDP 2013/C 343/01) have a personal responsibility to ensure that all activities undertaken within our hospital Pharmacy are compliant with Good Distribution Practice (EU GDP 2013/C 343/01) and all relevant department procedures are followed effectively.

About us

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people. We are creating a heath and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Job responsibilities

• Perform general pharmaceutical duties under the supervision of a Section Manager or deputy, supporting the safe and effective delivery of Pharmacy services in compliance with policies, procedures, and legal standards.
• Complete in-depth training and achieve a QCF Level 2 in Pharmacy Services unless already qualified.
• Dispense prescriptions in the dispensary and support the Dispensary Manager and Lead Technician in daily operations.
• Assist with medicines optimisation on the wards, including assessing patients' own medicines for hospital use and managing non-stock medication orders to enhance patient care.
• Contribute to the pharmacy stores team, handling heavy lifting, stock movement, and maintaining ward stock levels.

Please see attached the full Job Description

Qualifications

• QCF level 2 in Pharmacy services - or willing and able to work towards
• GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English grade C or above
• Knowledge of procedures for Pharmacy Services - on the job training, experience to NVQ3 or equivalent
• Previous training in the Pharmacy services with a good education and understanding of GDP

Experience

• Working within a team
• Managing own workload to meet the needs of a service
• Previous hospital pharmacy experience

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.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£25,760 to £27,476 a yearper annum pro rata