We are looking for a pharmacy assistant to work within the dispensaries and regularly visit wards/clinical areas to provide pharmacy services and be an integral part of the pharmacy 7 day service
For Band 3 you will have a Full Level 2 NVQ (or equivalent) in pharmacy service skills, at least 2 GCSEs (or equivalent) grade C or above (9-4), and relevant experience. If these are not held the position will be considered as a developmental role to start in a Band 2, while you are supported in completing the required skills and competencies (length of development will be determined on past experience and completion of the Self Led Education and Development Scheme (SLEDS) training programme). Previous experience, qualification and accreditations will be considered.
To provide a high quality service to our patients you will be a team player with the ability to work flexibly, react positively to change and know the limitations of the role. You will communicate effectively with patients, carers and the multi-disciplinary team. You must be able to follow written procedures, work under supervision and complete tasks accurately to set deadlines.
We welcome calls to find out more information. Tours of the department available upon request.
Details about our pharmacy service -
• Provide dispensing support to qualified staff.
• Written standard operating procedures are available for work undertaken and you must adhere to them unless otherwise authorised.
• Receive in prescriptions from a wide range of outpatient clinics
• To ensure that all customers receive the appropriate medicine in the correct form and in a timely manner
• To ensure that all medicines are labelled and packaged appropriately, and all relevant patient information and compliance aids/sundries are supplied.
• To ensure that the declaration of payment/exemption on outpatient prescriptions has been correctly filled in and clearly endorsed with grounds for exemption if a fee is not paid.
• Dispense for inpatients and outpatients by calculating appropriate dosage and quantities required against prescriptions/requisitions, following department standard operating procedures (SOPS).
• Perform self-checks on all dispensed items to ensure accuracy and quality prior to placing the item for final checking.
• Dispense controlled drugs for ward stock and named patients, following all relevant SOPs and legal requirements.
• Support clinical team with patient own drug (POD) checking and ordering medicines
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services
Our philosophy is thatTime Mattersto everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bringwhat’swidely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Find out about living and working here -
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
This advert closes on Sunday 22 Jun 2025