Senior Pharmacy Assistant, Patient Services (SATO), Band 3

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Discounts at local shops and eateries

Job summary

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Pharmacy Assistant, Patient Services (SATO), Band 3, based at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. The role covers dispensary and wards, with duties including dispensing, order preparation, and reception tasks, supporting pharmacists and technicians in providing safe patient care.

You'll join a large NHS workforce across Gloucestershire, with flexible working options and a commitment to development and patient-centred service in line

Responsibilities

• Dispensing for in-patients, out-patients and patients going home.
• Handing out completed outpatient prescriptions to patients or their representatives.
• Co-ordinating the supply of items owed to patients and ensuring they are dispensed and transported promptly.
• Dispensing controlled drugs according to procedures.
• Performing final accuracy checks of dispensed items.
• Expiry date checks and removal of out-of-date items.
• Assist at staff and patient reception areas.
• Answering the telephone and handling routine enquiries.

Job description

Current jobs at Gloucestershire Hospitals

Senior Pharmacy Assistant, Patient Services (SATO), Band 3

Band 3

Main area Pharmacy Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share

37.5 hours per week Job ref 318-26-T0161-B

Site Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (cross-site working may be required as per service change) Town Gloucestershire Salary £25,760 - £27,476 (pa, pro rata if part-time) Salary period Yearly Closing 15/09/2026 23:59

At Gloucestershire Hospitals, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the county’s largest employer, we are proud to provide high-quality acute, elective, and specialist services to more than 650,000 people across our county. Our care is delivered across Gloucestershire Royal, Cheltenham General and Stroud Maternity Hospital.

With over 9,000 employees representing more than 95 nationalities, bringing together a mix of cultures and experiences to the care that we deliver. Whether you’re beginning your NHS journey or looking to take the next step in your career, this is an exciting time to join us. We’re investing heavily in innovation, research, and transformation, with more than 100 active clinical studies and major developments underway across our hospitals.

We take pride in working as one team, driven by a shared ambition to grow, develop, and continually improve. Every contribution is valued and by combining our collective strengths, we support not only our diverse communities but one another. You can expect a warm, supportive culture and colleagues who are passionate about teamwork, professional development and delivering exceptional care. We offer structured development programmes, mentoring and leadership opportunities to help you progress in your career.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from a comprehensive package that includes flexible working opportunities, generous annual leave, the NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, local discounts, access to on-site nurseries, reduced public transport costs, reward and recognition schemes and a wide range of health and wellbeing initiatives.

Be part of Gloucestershire Hospitals, explore your future with us today.

Job overview

Senior Pharmacy Assistant, Patient Services (SATO), Band 3

• 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.
• The Senior Pharmacy Assistant performs a wide range of duties within the Pharmacy Department, that help the Pharmacists & Technicians to provide a comprehensive dispensing and distribution service.
• Main duties are based in the Dispensary. It will include dispensing and final accuracy checking a variety of prescription types and electronic systems. Dependent on service need, it may include visits to wards to top-up stock, transfer medicines from pharmacy into patient bedside lockers, transfer medicines from a patient’s previous ward to their current ward, filling orders for wards and departments, reception duties covering hospital staff and patients, computer ordering, and general house-keeping duties.
• Co-ordinating the supply of items that are owed to patients and ensuring they are dispensed & onward transport is arranged in a timely fashion. Checking order levels are adequate for supply and resolving any supply issues.

Main duties of the job

• Dispensing for In-patients, out-patients and patients that are going home, according to standard operating procedures.
• Handing out completed outpatient prescriptions to patients or their representatives, according to standard operating procedures
• Coordinating the supply of items that are owed to patients and ensuring they are dispensed & onward transport is arranged in a timely fashion. Checking order levels are adequate for supply and resolving any supply issues.
• Dispensing controlled drugs according to standard operating procedures.
• Completing a final accuracy check of dispensed items in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
• Expiry date check the medicines on the shelves regularly.
• Ensure that any out-of-date items are removed in-line with Standard Operating Procedures
• Assist at Staff and patient reception areas:
• Front Reception: Meet & greet the general public, receiving prescriptions and payment from the general public. There is a need to operate whatever equipment is provided to process transactions be it card machine or till.
• Direct any other business callers as required.
• To co-ordinate others to do this task if necessary.
• To answer the telephone and deal with routine enquiries regarding work in progress and communicating with the relevant member of staff for additional advice as required. Transfer calls to appropriately qualified staff if necessary
• Role may involve stock top-up to inpatient areas following thorough training

Working for our organisation

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.

As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Dispensary

Under the supervision of the Senior Pharmacy Technician or nominated deputy

• Dispensing for In-patients, out-patients and patients that are going home, according to standard operating procedures.
• Handing out completed outpatient prescriptions to patients or their representatives, according to standard operating procedures
• Co-ordinating the supply of items that are owed to patients and ensuring they are dispensed & onward transport is arranged in a timely fashion. Checking order levels are adequate for supply and resolving any supply issues.
• Dispensing controlled drugs according to standard operating procedures.
• Keep a regard to stock on the dispensary shelves, top up & tidy as required with backup stock from the stores.
• Expiry date check the medicines on the shelves regularly.
• Assist at Staff and patient reception areas:
• Front Reception: Meet & greet the general public, receiving prescriptions and payment from the general public. There is a need to operate whatever equipment is provided to process transactions be it card machine or till.
• Direct any other business callers as required.
• To co-ordinate others to do this task if necessary.
• To answer the telephone and deal with routine enquiries regarding