Rotational Pharmacy Assistant

NHS; Swindon; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Swindon is seeking a passionate Rotational Pharmacy Assistant to join their team. The successful candidate will engage in dispensing, patient interaction, and medicines optimisation to enhance patient care. Applicants should possess QCF level 2 in Pharmacy services or a willingness to work towards it, with essential skills in teamwork and communication. The role offers comprehensive training and development opportunities, fostering professional growth in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Continuous professional development

Level 2 Pharmacy Services training

Qualifications

• Willing to work towards QCF level 2 in Pharmacy services.
• GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English grade C or above required.
• Familiarity with procedures for Pharmacy Services and Good Distribution Practice.

Responsibilities

• Support medicines optimisation and Discharge Services.
• Dispense prescriptions under supervision in the dispensary.
• Maintain and monitor ward stock levels.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Pharmacy IT systems

Attention to detail

Education

QCF level 2 in Pharmacy services

GCSE in Maths and English grade C or above

Job description

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Rotational Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 03 December 2025

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.

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

• 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.

We're committed to investing in our people. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to complete Level 2 Pharmacy Services training (unless already obtained) and will receive continuous support for professional development and career progression.

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.

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