Senior Pharmacy Assistant
The closing date is 07 April 2026
There has never been a better time to join the Trust's Pharmacy team as a Senior Pharmacy Assistant. We have been working on transforming our ways of working by introducing a repacking service which will play a vital role in ensuring our front line crews are ready and able to respond to emergency situations by preparing our equipment to high standards.
This has been working well in the sites we have introduced stocked medicine bags to so far. However the Trust has made a decision to move away from Medicine bags and at the end of 2025 we piloted a new design of stocked modular based pouch system. This went ready well in the pilot sites, we have reviewed all the data and feedback made some changes and have placed a large order to roll this system out across the Trust. This will improve the flow of medicines ready for use, reduce checking and restocking times.
Alongside this we have just signed a contract to introduce an electronic inventory management system for better visibility and tracking of medicines.
This role will be key to supporting the Pharmacy team through this change, making suggestions for improvements and making the Trust vision work.
The role of the Senior Pharmacy Assistant is also a gateway to the organisation with opportunities to develop your career with us either within the Pharmacy team or the wider Trust in both patient‑facing and a variety of support roles.
Main duties of the job
Senior Pharmacy Assistants supervise a team responsible for repacking drugs bags and pouches in a prescribed and controlled way that ensures each bag or pouch is ready to be used by our clinicians to treat patients. The role is a key operational support function which ensures patient safety whilst supporting Operations in meeting its targets.
* Daily supervision of the Pharmacy team;
* Analysis of a range of complex discrepancies and identification of solutions;
* Ordering, receiving and storing medicines;
* Effective stock rotation;
* Picking & packing of orders to fill drugs bags or pouches;
* Carrying out checking and other quality control processes;
* Supporting the returns and disposal processes;
* Making suggestions for improvements;
* Follow the Trust's medicines Policies and Standard Operational Procedures
This is the start of a new initiative where we are seeking to develop our service and are looking for committed people.
About us
At South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) we have a culture where everyone is valued for being themselves. Our aim is to work together to promote the most inclusive environment possible, which attracts people from the widest range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work that we do together, for the benefit of all of our employees, our patients and the communities we serve. We offer flexible working opportunities, inclusive policies and a range of feedback mechanisms to support individuals and to enable a positive, welcoming environment where our people and their careers can thrive.
We employ over 5,000 employees mainly clinical, operational and emergency response staff as well as supporting roles. We also employ Doctors and volunteers which include community first responders and fire co‑responders.
We take all the steps needed to provide the most compassionate patient care possible whilst also providing an enjoyable and safe place to work. We actively promote a positive set of behaviours as being key to our performance both individually and collectively. Our recruitment, selection and screening processes are designed to uphold these standards and we invite all our candidates to actively share with us through these processes how they will bring these behaviours to life.
Job responsibilities
For further information about this role please see attached the job description and person specification attached.
Right to work / Certificate of sponsorship
This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. You must have the existing right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.
For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
* Minimum of 3 level 2 qualifications e.g. GCSE's (or equivalent) at grade C or above including English and Maths;
* Full driving licence and experience;
* Pharmacy Qualification;
Experience
* Experience in a role that required following strict guidelines and procedures;
* Previous experience of supervision / leadership;
* Working in a trustworthy position;
* Previous experience in a Pharmacy related role;
* Experience of medicines management in a primary or secondary care setting;
Skills
* Good computer literacy to operate an electronic inventory management system, use email, Excel and Word effectively and participate in video conference calls;
* Knowledge of processes involved in stock control and managing a store;
* Experience of digital inventory management systems;
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.
Employer name
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Skypark
Unit 1 - 9, De Havilland Road, Skypark, Clyst Honiton
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