Senior Pharmacy Assistant Pharmacy Procurement and Homecare

NHS; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a Senior Assistant specializing in pharmacy procurement. The role involves managing the medicines supply chain and supporting homecare services for over 3000 patients. Candidates need to have 5 GCSEs including Maths and English, experience in a hospital or pharmacy, and good organizational skills. Full and part-time positions are available with flexible working options considered.

Qualifications

• Essential: Experience of working within a hospital, pharmacy, or customer care environment.
• Desirable: Experience of the management of the medicines supply chain.
• Desirable: Knowledge of NHS medicines procurement.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for purchasing medicines for secondary care in Cornwall.
• Maintain a medicines homecare service for over 3000 patients.
• Support the management of financial analysis for homecare provision.

Skills

Organizational skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

5 GCSEs Grade C or above including Maths and English

NVQ 2 in Pharmacy Services

CIPS level 3 qualification (willingness to pursue)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Overview

The Pharmacy team at the Royal Cornwall Hospital are looking to recruit a Senior Assistant, who will specialise in pharmacy procurement and Homecare medicines services. You will work as part of our pharmacy procurement team supporting the management of all areas of the medicines supply chain including out of stocks, medicines shortages and sourcing alternative medicines. You will assist the High-cost drugs and Homecare Monitoring Officer in the provision of Homecare services and support to manage and produce monthly financial analysis of homecare provision.

We have full and part-time posts available working up to 37.5 hours per week. You may be asked to participate in a weekend working rota, working no more than 1 in 5 Saturday mornings dependent on service need. There will be the opportunity to discuss partial working from home and/or to work flexibly, dependant on agreement with the Senior Manager. If sufficient applications are received the post may be closed early.

Responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity for the right person. You will be responsible for purchasing medicines required by secondary care in Cornwall and will be involved in maintaining a medicines homecare service for the 3000+ patients that rely on this offering. You will hold 5 GCSEs grade 4 (C) or above including maths and English (or equivalent) and you will be willing to work towards a CIPS level 3 qualification if required by the service. You will have experience of working in a hospital, pharmacy or customer care environment and be able to work as part of a team. We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, well-motivated individual who has good organisational skills. At RCHT we pride ourselves on putting the patient first and delivering the best possible service.

About us

Sustainability is integral to the Trust achieving the NHS Net Zero target. All staff are therefore actively encouraged and supported to implement new ways of working within their field of expertise.

Details

Date posted: 16 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year pa pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working
Reference number: 156-7450174
Job locations: Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, TR1 3LJ

Job description and responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

• Identity Checks
• Professional registration and qualification checks
• Employment history and reference checks
• Occupational Health clearance
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check
• Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit: nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early. We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Essential: 5 GCSEs Grade C or above including Maths and English (or equivalent)
• Desirable: NVQ 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent
• Desirable: Willing to work towards or already educated to CIPS level 3 qualification

Practical and intellectual

• Able to demonstrate continued learning, prioritisation, time management and effective written and verbal communication
• Able to maintain accuracy in a busy environment and work under pressure
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team

Dispositional

• Ability to use own initiative and take personal responsibility
• Able to cope with very occasional distressing situations when operating the homecare patient helpline
• Honest and reliable

Training

• Able and willing to undertake training for this role and demonstrate recent training and personal development

Experience

• Essential: Experience of working within a hospital, pharmacy or customer care environment
• Desirable: Experience of the management of the medicines supply chain; knowledge of NHS medicines procurement; experience in dealing with the public and healthcare professionals
• Demonstrable experience of working with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and administrative duties

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the DBS will be made.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Employer details: Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, TR1 3LJ. Website: royalcornwall.nhs.uk