Rotational Pharmacy Assistant

NHS; Swindon; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust is seeking a Rotational Pharmacy Assistant to join their vibrant pharmacy team. In this role, you will engage in medicines optimisation, assist in pharmacy operations, and directly contribute to patient care while adhering to clinical standards. This position offers a supportive environment focused on professional development.

Qualifications

• Expected to undertake level 2 training in Pharmacy services.
• Able to concentrate for prolonged periods and manage own workload.

Responsibilities

• Undertake general pharmaceutical duties to ensure a safe service.
• Work within patient services conducting medicines optimisation.
• Dispense prescriptions and support the dispensary manager.

Skills

Good IT skills

Interpersonal skills

Physical accuracy

Communication

Education

QCF level 2 in Pharmacy services

Tools

Pharmacy IT system

Job description

Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Rotational Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 18 June 2025

Our friendly and progressive pharmacy department is currently looking for an exceptional individual to join the pharmacy team. We have a fully integrated electronic prescribing system and are able to deliver enhanced pharmaceutical care putting Medicines Optimisation at the heart of our clinical services.

The role will involve working as part of the wider multidisciplinary team consisting of Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Assistants, Pharmacists, Nurses and Clerical staff, having direct patient contact at ward level and will be involved in contributing to patient care.

Your responsibilities will include working in the field of Medicines Optimisation / Discharge service at ward level, working within our stores department and developing your Dispensary skills, working to clinical standards and helping to optimise the services provided in line with local and national strategies and standards.

It is expected that the successful candidates will undertake in depth level 2 training in Pharmacy services unless they already hold a relevant qualification. We actively support the development and training of all our staff, to achieve and succeed.

Main duties of the job

• 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.
• 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.
• Work in the dispensary dispensing prescriptions and provide support to the dispensary manager and lead technician in the day to day running of the dispensary.
• Work as part of the pharmacy stores team monitoring and maintaining ward stock levels.

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

"Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives."

Job responsibilities

• Able to undertake heavy lifting and pushing/pulling on a daily basis working as part of the pharmacy stores team while monitoring and maintaining ward stock levels.
• Use the Pharmacy IT system to label and dispense medication against prescriptions, orders and Controlled Drug requests according to any prescriber instructions.
• Organise, label and prepare compliance aids (Dosette boxes)
• Assess POD drugs against TTA prescriptions, endorsing with relevant information and documenting any discrepancies.
• Use the prescription tracking system to book in and track prescriptions at each stage in the process, logging work collected by the porters or ward staff.
• Support the team leader in the management of the prescription tracking system to ensure prescriptions are completed within the allocated turnaround times.
• Work with minimal supervision to provide an admission, supply and discharge service to nominated wards. Liaising directly with pharmacists, doctors and nursing staff as appropriate.

Please see attached JD for full responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

• QCF level 2 in Pharmacy services - or willing and able to work towards

Experience

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

Skills

• Good IT skills including Microsoft applications
• Well-developed physical accuracy and dexterity
• Able to concentrate for prolonged periods when subject to changing working patterns
• Acts on own initiative with the appropriate level of supervision
• Be able to provide and receive routine information where there may be barriers to understanding
• Be able to communicate information to patients/carers regarding prescribed medication
• Demonstrates good interpersonal skills with the ability to listen and undertake instruction
• Demonstrates sensitivity in dealing with patients and staff
• Knowledge of Pharmacy computer systems

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