Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Medicines Optimisation

Manchester University Nhs Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Pharmacy Assistant to join our busy Pharmacy team. You will support medicines optimisation, medicines advice and distribution across the Trust, handling queries from patients, wards, and professionals, and assisting discharge communications and stock management.

Working with the Medicines Advice/Optimisation team, you’ll triage calls, ensure timely workflows, and maintain accurate records.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services or equivalent qualification.
• GCSEs (Maths/English) or equivalent experience.
• Good communication and organisational skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Support safe and timely medicine delivery across the Trust.
• Respond to medicines-related queries from patients and staff.
• Assist discharge medicines communication and ward stock management.
• Provide administrative support to Medicines Advice/Optimisation teams.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services or equivalent

GCSEs in Maths and English (or equivalent)

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

Job summary

Are you organised, motivated and keen to make a real difference to patient care? We are looking for a Senior Pharmacy Assistant to join our friendly Pharmacy team. This is a varied and rewarding role supporting the safe and timely use of medicines across the Trust. You will work with the Medicines Optimisation, Medicines Advice and Pharmacy Distribution teams to help patients, wards, healthcare professionals and GP practices with medicines‑related queries. You will also support discharge medicines communication, help manage ward stock, and help keep pharmacy processes running smoothly. An important part of the role will be supporting workflow through the Medicines Advice service by helping to triage calls and queries so they reach the right person at the right time. You will also provide operational and administrative support to the Medicines Advice/Optimisation team, including ordering resources and helping to keep documents and records accurate, up to date and well organised. This is a great opportunity for someone with good communication skills, strong attention to detail and a positive, patient‑focused approach to develop their pharmacy experience within a busy and supportive team.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the safe and timely delivery of medicines optimisation, medicines advice and pharmacy distribution services across the Trust. Key duties include responding to medicines‑related queries from patients, wards, healthcare professionals, GP practices and community pharmacies; supporting discharge medicines communication and Discharge Medicines Service referrals; and helping to maintain effective workflow through the Medicines Advice service by triaging calls and queries. The role will also support ward stock management, medicines security, expiry checking, emergency stock replenishment, medicine recalls, general housekeeping and administrative co‑ordination for the Medicines Advice/Optimisation team. The post holder will work closely with pharmacy, nursing and clinical colleagues to help prevent delays in medicines supply, support patient flow and contribute to safe, effective and responsive pharmacy services.

You must hold an NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services or GPhC approved equivalent qualification to be shortlisted for an interview.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward‑thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.

Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients. You'll be part of a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions. Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Job responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that's considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services or equivalent qualification or course


• GCSE'S or equivalent (C or above) in Maths and English or equivalent experience

Desirable

• GCSE Science (dual award) or equivalent grade C or above

Knowledge

• Standard computer software e.g. word, excel


• An understanding of the principles of medicines storage and security

Desirable

• Knowledge of Pharmacy in a secondary care environment


• Experience of using an automated dispensing process

Training and Experience

• Significant experience of working in a pharmacy environment, including: dispensing of all prescription types, receiving medication, maintaining medicines storage locations and stock control experience


• Experience of dealing with members of the public, healthcare professionals, interaction with patients and carers

Desirable

• Knowledge of actions and uses of medicines

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.