Senior Pharmacy Assistant

Overview

Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Band 3

Fixed term Band 3 position working on a rotational basis throughout various clinical areas of the site, including inpatient dispensary, cardiac, oncology and respiratory. The role involves working closely with nurses and healthcare professionals, helping to maintain stock control and promote safe and secure handling of medicines. The post holder will be a team player who aims to improve quality standards within the department, with opportunities to learn new skills in a medicines management environment.

Day-to-day duties include dispensing of medicines at ward level, transcribing of medicines and POD checking. You will be supported in your role to complete these aspects of the MOPs accreditation.

We welcome applications from pharmacy assistants who hold an NVQ level 2 qualification in pharmacy services. You must possess excellent interpersonal, problem solving and time management skills and be able to work with a wide range of professionals.

The key focus of this role is to provide safe and secure stock control within pharmacy inpatient environments and chemotherapy dose banding dispensary, wards and clinical areas. They will assist in the supply and dispensing of prescribed items, receive and put away stock including dispensary consumables. The post holder will provide an efficient and effective administrative service, operational and finance support, and undertake project work to enhance the service.

The post holder will rotate throughout the site and clinical areas to gain experience in all areas, including patient facing roles, dispensaries and the pharmacy distribution area to receive goods from across site, wholesalers and manufacturers. The post holder will be expected to work with minimal day to day supervision, use initiative, and be proactive when issues arise. Regular communication within the team is needed regarding working practices, procedures and changes, and a good working relationship with colleagues and other healthcare staff should be fostered and maintained.

Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and a leading healthcare provider. The group is on an improvement journey to become an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. The vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, providing safe and compassionate care to patients in east London and beyond.

We strive to live by our WeCare values and promote inclusion where every staff member has a sense of belonging.

Date posted: 28 January 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £30,546 to £32,207 per annum (includable of allowances)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: SBH
Job locations: St Bartholomew's Hospital, London EC1A 7BE

Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role. For both documents, please view the attachment.

Essential qualifications

• GCSE grades A–C or 4–9 in English Language, Maths, Double Science
• BTEC Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Support Staff

Desirable qualifications

• HEE Medicines Optimisation programme or equivalent (e.g., competent to assess PODS and transcribe and order from drug charts)

Essential experience

• Experience in a customer care environment
• Experience of working in a pharmacy team
• Demonstrable stock management experience

Desirable experience

• Experience of working in a hospital environment
• Experience of training others

Essential knowledge

• Good understanding of filing systems and data management procedures
• Understanding of relevant legislation (e.g., Health and Safety, GDPR, Data Protection)
• Understanding of adherence to procedures and legislation; self-organization and accuracy
• Understanding of patient safety initiatives
• Understanding of stock control systems and the importance of adherence to SOPs and legislation

Desirable knowledge

• Knowledge of medicines management systems at ward level
• Knowledge of Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines requirements

Essential skills

• IT…