Overview
Senior Pharmacy Assistant, Patient Services (SATO), Band 3 (15 hours a week)
Undertake general pharmaceutical duties under the supervision of a Section Manager or deputy, assisting in the provision of a safe and effective Pharmacy service in line with current policies, procedures and legal requirements. The Senior Pharmacy Assistant performs a wide range of duties within the Pharmacy Department, that help the Pharmacists & Technicians to provide a comprehensive dispensing and distribution service. Main duties are based in the Dispensary and may include visits to wards to top-up stock, transfer medicines from pharmacy into patient bedside lockers, transfer medicines from a patient's previous ward to their current ward, filling orders for wards and departments, reception duties covering hospital staff and patients, computer ordering, and general housekeeping duties. Working pattern details: 09:00-17:30.
Details Date posted: 10 September 2025 · Pay scheme: Agenda for change · Band: Band 3 · Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year (pro rata if part-time) · Contract: Permanent · Working pattern: Part-time · Location: Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AN
Responsibilities
Dispensary
* 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.
* Co-ordinating the supply of items owed to patients and ensuring they are dispensed and onward transport is arranged in a timely fashion; checking order levels are adequate and resolving supply issues.
* Dispensing controlled drugs according to standard operating procedures.
* Maintain stock on the dispensary shelves, top up and tidy with backup stock from the stores; check expiry dates regularly and remove out-of-date items in-line with SOPs.
* Assist at Staff and patient reception areas: front reception duties, meet & greet the public, receive prescriptions and payments, operate equipment to process transactions, direct calls as required, and coordinate with staff as needed.
* Answer telephone and deal with routine enquiries; transfer calls to appropriately qualified staff as required.
* Stock top-up to inpatient areas following thorough training; other duties to support Ward stock management as needed.
Working alongside the Stores & Distribution team and dependent on service need, provide ward top-up services, ensure wards are stocked, rotate stock, check expiry dates, sort returned medicines for re-use, count and return to stock via the computer system, and process/assemble orders for wards and departments.
General
* Adhere to standard operating procedures and Health and Safety procedures; maintain stock control and security of medicines.
* Manage own daily duties; re-arrange duties as required to cover absences; Senior Pharmacy Assistants may coordinate cover and oversee/train less experienced staff.
* Share advice and knowledge to train new assistants on SOPs; participate in internal audits and surveys of service delivery; ensure SOPs and Health and Safety procedures are followed.
* Provide late night, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday cover as per rota; comply with the trust's code of expectations and values.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Essential: Good level of literacy and numeracy; NVQ Level 2 in Pharmaceutical services or equivalent or willingness to work towards qualification.
* Desirable: Proven picking/dispensing accuracy.
Experience
* Essential: Previous pharmacy experience.
* Desirable: Hospital pharmacy experience; ward stock top-up responsibilities.
Knowledge
* Essential: Excellent communication skills; understanding of SOPs; ability to use computer and operate electronic Pharmacy Systems.
* Desirable: Recent experience of change or quality improvement.
Qualities
* Essential: Excellent interpersonal skills; cheerful, friendly; honesty and integrity; professional appearance; able to perform manual handling tasks.
* Desirable: Capacity to work calmly under pressure; positive approach; ability to work in a team or independently; motivated and reliable.
Other
Disclosure and Barring Service: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a DBS check will be required.
Employer details
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AN
Employer's website: https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/
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