Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Assistant

Job overview

Medicines Optimisation Assistant

We are looking for a motivated and proactive Medicines Optimisation Assistant to support high‑quality patient care across our clinical areas. In this key role, you will help ensure safe, efficient, and effective medicines management systems are in place throughout the hospital.

As part of the Pharmacy team, you will:

• Assess patients’ own medicines to determine suitability for use during their hospital stay
• Ensure medicines are readily available at ward level to prevent delays or missed doses
• Support timely patient discharges by helping to coordinate medication requirements
• Act as a vital link between the pharmacy and ward teams, providing clear communication and practical support
• Contribute to service improvement by undertaking projects or audits within your designated clinical areas

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is organised, patient‑focused, and passionate about improving the quality and safety of medicines use in a busy hospital environment.

Main duties of the job

Be part of a team providing medicines management to designated clinical areas.

Maintain the Patient’s Own Drug (POD) scheme for the designated area (and self-administration where introduced) according to Trust-wide policies.

Initiate the supply of non-stock items for one-stop dispensing as appropriate (once clinically checked by a pharmacist and under the supervision of a pharmacist or medicines optimisation pharmacy technician) i.e. medicines labelled with directions for discharge.

To ensure appropriate maintenance of the Bedside Medicine Cabinets, by actively putting away patient specific dispensed medicines, PODs and remove unwanted/discontinued drugs in accordance Trust procedure and processing medicine orders where appropriate.

Ensure that medicines are transferred with the patient should they transfer ward or department.

Be responsible for the maintenance and updating of ward stock lists for the designated clinical area(s) in conjunction with the clinical pharmacist and ward staff.

Maintain adequate stock levels of ward pharmacy stock medicines in line with the ward top up schedule, ensuring that medicines are within expiry date and safe for ward staff to use.

Aid discharge planning in conjunction with the clinical pharmacist, ward staff and discharge liaison team. Dispense discharge medicines at ward level under the supervision of the clinical pharmacist where able or in pharmacy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Be part of a team providing medicines management to designated clinical areas.

Maintain the Patient’s Own Drug (POD) scheme for the designated area (and self-administration where introduced) according to Trust-wide policies.

Initiate the supply of non-stock items for one-stop dispensing as appropriate (once clinically checked by a pharmacist and under the supervision of a pharmacist or medicines optimisation pharmacy technician) i.e. medicines labelled with directions for discharge.

To ensure appropriate maintenance of the Bedside Medicine Cabinets, by actively putting away patient specific dispensed medicines, PODs and remove unwanted/discontinued drugs in accordance Trust procedure and processing medicine orders where appropriate.

Ensure that medicines are transferred with the patient should they transfer ward or department.

Be responsible for the maintenance and updating of ward stock lists for the designated clinical area(s) in conjunction with the clinical pharmacist and ward staff.

Maintain adequate stock levels of ward pharmacy stock medicines in line with the ward top up schedule, ensuring that medicines are within expiry date and safe for ward staff to use.

Aid discharge planning in conjunction with the clinical pharmacist, ward staff and discharge liaison team. Dispense discharge medicines at ward level under the supervision of the clinical pharmacist where able or in pharmacy.