Ward Based Pharmacy Assistant

NHS; Basildon; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in England seeks a Ward Based Pharmacy Assistant to join their pharmacy team. The role involves dispensing prescriptions, providing patient support, and maintaining pharmacy operations. Ideal candidates will possess relevant qualifications and excellent communication skills. This position offers competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Career development access

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Experience working in a pharmacy setting is preferred.
• Good physical fitness is necessary.
• Full UK driving license is required.

Responsibilities

• Dispense prescriptions within the pharmacy and on the wards.
• Provide appropriate counselling under supervision.
• Maintain accurate records for drugs and supplies.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

Grade C or equivalent in maths and English

NVQ level 2 in pharmaceutical science

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Ward Based Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 30 November 2025

Are you looking to join an enthusiastic team within pharmacy department. Then we have the right opportunity for you.

MSE is looking to hire a band 3 Pharmacy assistant. Come join us to learn new skills and become a part of a valued team.

Managed by the senior pharmacy technician in charge, the post holder will receive, dispense and hand out prescriptions both within the pharmacy and 'near patient' on the wards. Provide support to other Pharmacy services, including IT and electronic prescribing system maintenance, receipting of orders, storage and supply of stock Pharmaceuticals, and undertaking audits and stock checks.

Main duties of the job

• Answering telephone enquiries from staff and patients
• Dispense Inpatient and TTA prescriptions
• Hand out completed prescriptions with appropriate counselling, under the supervision of the senior pharmacy technician in charge.
• Arrange the couriering of medications to patients home address, including labeling and secure sealing of medication packages, contacting patients and accurate record keeping of all deliveries.
• Perform departmental stock checks, counting and escalating discrepancies.
• Perform departmental expiry date checks to schedule
• Process homecare prescriptions and invoices.
• Provide support to end users of the pharmacy Wellsky system.
• Assess suitability of pharmaceuticals for return to stock.
• Follow departmental standard operating procedures at all times.
• Maintain a clean and tidy workplace.
• Participate in late shift, weekend and bank holiday rota's.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties the Operational Lead Technician may allocate from time to time.
• Help with the delivery of medications to patients home address including organising and using the pharmacy provided vehicle

About us

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.

We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.

We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress

Job responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description, but some of the responsibilities include

• Dispense Inpatient and TTA prescriptions both within the pharmacy department and out on the wards using the mobile dispensing trolleys. Process the prescription using the Pharmacy stock control and electronic prescribing system. Select, count, package and label prescription items according to department procedure. Make records as necessary e.g. endorse prescription; make an entry into the controlled drug register.
• Hand out completed prescriptions with appropriate counselling, under the supervision of the senior pharmacy technician in charge.
• Arrange the couriering of medications to patients home address, including labeling and secure sealing of medication packages, contacting patients and accurate record keeping of all deliveries.
• Assess suitability of pharmaceuticals for return to stock. Return items to stock using the pharmacy stock control system, or dispose of according to departmental procedure as appropriate.
• Maintain supplies of non-drug items including controlled stationary e.g. FP10 prescriptions and controlled drug registers, ensuring accurate records are maintained.

Person Specification

essential and desirable criteria

• Grade C or equivalent in maths and english
• NVQ level 2 in pharmaceutical science

Full UK driving licence

• Full UK driving Licence
• good physical fitness

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.

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

£26,240 a year per annum, pro rata for part time