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Senior Pharmacy Assistant – Patient Services

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Protection — indemnity for locally employed doctors from £79
Location
Colchester, England
Salary
£25,760 - £27,476 per annum
Profession
Healthcare support worker
Grade
Band 3
Deadline
25 May 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
11 May 2026

Job overview

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 - https://esneft.pagetiger.com/buqzfou/1

Main duties of the job

  • 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

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.