Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Pharmacy Assistant, Patient Services (SATO), Band 3
The closing date is 07 June 2026
Job 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.
* Coordinating the supply of items that are owed to patients and ensuring they are dispensed and 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 and 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, receive prescriptions and payments from the general public, and operate equipment such as card machines and tills.
* Direct other business callers as required.
* Coordinate others to do this task if necessary.
* Answer the telephone and deal with routine enquiries regarding work in progress and communicate with relevant staff for additional advice as required. Transfer calls to appropriately qualified staff if necessary.
* Working alongside the Stores & Distribution team and dependent on service need. May be required to provide a top‑up service to wards, keeping the assigned wards fully stocked with medicines, ensuring they are rotated and expiry dates are checked, as stated in the top‑up standards.
* Ensure that the ward stock medicine supply needs are met and that the stock is used cost‑effectively with minimum waste, liaising with Ward Sisters and Ward Pharmacists as required. This will include sorting returned medicines for re‑use, counting them and returning to stock via the computer system.
* Process and assemble orders for wards and departments. Involves data entry and correct selection of goods, paying heed to pharmacy stock control systems and ordering.
* Assist in sorting returned and waste medicines.
* Assist in keeping records of workload e.g. filing and photocopying.
* Ensure the patient services section always has a readily available supply of sundry items e.g. bottles, bags to use, by topping up daily and checking status of orders as required.
* Provide late night, Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday cover as per rota.
* Comply with the code of expectations & values that the trust expects.
General
* Ensure the standard operating procedures are adhered to and health and safety procedures followed. There is a responsibility for stock control and security of medicines within daily duties.
* Be responsible for managing self to organise own daily duties. Be willing to re‑arrange duties and prioritise according to service need if required to cover for absence. Senior Pharmacy Assistants will sometimes co‑ordinate cover for duties & oversee/train less experienced staff.
* Share advice & knowledge to train new assistants on the standard operating procedures within the working area.
* Participate in internal audits and surveys of service delivery as required. Ensure the standard operating procedures are adhered to and health and safety procedures followed. There is a responsibility for stock control and security of medicines within daily duties.
* Participate in internal audits and surveys of service delivery as required. Ensure the standard operating procedures are adhered to and health and safety procedures followed. There is a responsibility for stock control and security of medicines within daily duties.
About us
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.
Qualifications
* Good level of literacy and numeracy.
* NVQ Level 2 in Pharmaceutical services or equivalent, or evidence of willingness to work towards qualification.
* Proven picking/dispensing accuracy.
* Final Accuracy Checking Qualification or willingness to work towards.
Experience
* Previous pharmacy experience working in a hospital.
* Previous responsibility for carrying out ward stock top‑up.
Knowledge
* Understanding of written Standard Operating Procedures.
* Ability to use computer, basic skills to operate electronic Pharmacy Systems.
* Recent experience of implementing change or quality improvement.
qualities
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Cheerful, friendly personality.
* Honesty and integrity.
* Professional appearance.
* Able to perform manual handling tasks.
* Capacity to work calmly under pressure.
* Positive approach.
* Ability to work in a team or independently as necessary.
* Motivated and reliable.
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
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (cross-site working may be required as per service change)
£25,760 to £27,476 a year(pa, pro rata if part-time)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time, Job share
Reference number
318-26-T0161-A
Job locations
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (cross-site working may be required as per service change)
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