Pharmacy Assistant
| Posting date: | 18 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 December 2025 |
| Location: | BS40 6HF |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Harptree & Cameley Surgery |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Harptree and Cameley Surgeries have an opportunity for a Pharmacy Assistant to join our team, ideally on a full-time basis with the option of accommodating two part-times roles. Ideally you will be qualified to NVQ level 2, alternatively there would be an opportunity to train for this qualification. You will be part of a team that prides itself on providing exemplary service to our patients and colleagues at all times.
About us
Harptree and Cameley Surgeries serve a population of approx. 6800 patients, with a team consisting of doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, a social prescriber/care co-ordinator, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, dispensers, receptionists and administrators.
We pride ourselves on the service we deliver to our patients, this is supported by the excellent Friends and Family feedback that we receive each month. The dispensary team is led by our Lead Dispenser. Regular team meetings allow for the sharing of new ideas and development of new processes that will improve the patient journey throughout the Surgery.
Pharmacy Assistant
Job Description & Person Specification
To be responsible for the processing of prescriptions in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. The role holder will be responsible for handing out medications, dealing with queries and handling payments as well as handling medication stock in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. In addition, the post-holder will be required to support the Lead Dispenser and wider team in ensuring a high-level of service is delivered at all times, whilst supporting the multi-disciplinary team in line with the strategic objectives of the practice.
Applicants should be friendly, compassionate and have excellent attention to detail skills as well as a highly professional customer service manner.
Primary responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the pharmacy assistant. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent on factors such as workload and staffing levels:
To be responsible for checking all medicines dispensed, ensuring there are no discrepancies
Dispensing medicines to the entitled population safely and accurately
Collecting prescription charges in accordance with dispensary protocol
Maintaining stock levels within the dispensary, liaising with the dispensary manager to facilitate reordering
Receiving and storing supplies in accordance with current policy, ensuring the cold chain is maintained where applicable
Ensuring controlled drugs are dispensed with in accordance with practice policy
Safe disposal of returned and / or out of date medicines
Ensuring all repeat prescriptions are processed within a timely manner and the surgery’s agreed time-frame
Providing patients with advice regarding all prescription matters
Process prescription requests via email, phone, face-to-face and online
Processing Dossett boxes
Assisting the Lead Dispenser in the preparation of monthly returns
Maintaining a clean and safe working environment at all times
Maintaining accurate records at all times, read coding entries appropriately
Secondary responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the pharmacy assistant may be requested to:
Partake in audit as directed by the audit lead
Remain current with the latest guidance ensuring the dispensary conforms to NICE, CQC etc guidance
The person specification for this role is detailed below:
Qualifications
Essential
Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
Desirable
Customer service qualification (NVQ) or equivalent
Dispensing qualification (NVQ level 2)
SystmOne user skills
Experience of working in a dispensary/pharmacy
Experience
Essential
Experience of working with the general public
Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
Strong IT skills
Clear, polite telephone manner
Effective time management (planning & organising)
Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
Good interpersonal skills
Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
Polite and confident
Flexible and cooperative
Motivated
Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
High levels of integrity and loyalty
Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
Able to communicate effectively and understand the needs of the patient
Effectively utilises resources
Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
Desirable
Experience of working in a primary care environment
Experience of working in a healthcare setting
Experience of working in a dispensary/pharmacy
Personal qualities
Essential
Polite and confident
Flexible and cooperative
Motivated
Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
High levels of integrity and loyalty
Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
Able to communicate effectively and understand the needs of the patient
Effectively utilises resource
Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
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.
This document may be amended, following consultation with the postholder, to facilitate the development of the role, the practice and the individual. All personnel should be prepared to accept additional, or surrender existing, duties to enable the efficient running of the practice.
About us
Harptree and Cameley Surgeries serve a population of approx. 6800 patients, with a team consisting of doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, a social prescriber/care co-ordinator, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, dispensers, receptionists and administrators.
We pride ourselves on the service we deliver to our patients, this is supported by the excellent Friends and Family feedback that we receive each month. The dispensary team is led by our Lead Dispenser. Regular team meetings allow for the sharing of new ideas and development of new processes that will improve the patient journey throughout the Surgery.
Pharmacy Assistant
Job Description & Person Specification
To be responsible for the processing of prescriptions in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. The role holder will be responsible for handing out medications, dealing with queries and handling payments as well as handling medication stock in accordance with practice policy and extant legislation. In addition, the post-holder will be required to support the Lead Dispenser and wider team in ensuring a high-level of service is delivered at all times, whilst supporting the multi-disciplinary team in line with the strategic objectives of the practice.
Applicants should be friendly, compassionate and have excellent attention to detail skills as well as a highly professional customer service manner.
Primary responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the pharmacy assistant. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent on factors such as workload and staffing levels:
To be responsible for checking all medicines dispensed, ensuring there are no discrepancies
Dispensing medicines to the entitled population safely and accurately
Collecting prescription charges in accordance with dispensary protocol
Maintaining stock levels within the dispensary, liaising with the dispensary manager to facilitate reordering
Receiving and storing supplies in accordance with current policy, ensuring the cold chain is maintained where applicable
Ensuring controlled drugs are dispensed with in accordance with practice policy
Safe disposal of returned and / or out of date medicines
Ensuring all repeat prescriptions are processed within a timely manner and the surgery’s agreed time-frame
Providing patients with advice regarding all prescription matters
Process prescription requests via email, phone, face-to-face and online
Processing Dossett boxes
Assisting the Lead Dispenser in the preparation of monthly returns
Maintaining a clean and safe working environment at all times
Maintaining accurate records at all times, read coding entries appropriately
Secondary responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the pharmacy assistant may be requested to:
Partake in audit as directed by the audit lead
Remain current with the latest guidance ensuring the dispensary conforms to NICE, CQC etc guidance
The person specification for this role is detailed below:
Qualifications
Essential
Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
Desirable
Customer service qualification (NVQ) or equivalent
Dispensing qualification (NVQ level 2)
SystmOne user skills
Experience of working in a dispensary/pharmacy
Experience
Essential
Experience of working with the general public
Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
Strong IT skills
Clear, polite telephone manner
Effective time management (planning & organising)
Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
Good interpersonal skills
Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
Polite and confident
Flexible and cooperative
Motivated
Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
High levels of integrity and loyalty
Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
Able to communicate effectively and understand the needs of the patient
Effectively utilises resources
Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
Desirable
Experience of working in a primary care environment
Experience of working in a healthcare setting
Experience of working in a dispensary/pharmacy
Personal qualities
Essential
Polite and confident
Flexible and cooperative
Motivated
Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
High levels of integrity and loyalty
Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
Able to communicate effectively and understand the needs of the patient
Effectively utilises resource
Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
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.
This document may be amended, following consultation with the postholder, to facilitate the development of the role, the practice and the individual. All personnel should be prepared to accept additional, or surrender existing, duties to enable the efficient running of the practice.