Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Hours / week
- 37.5
- Posted
- 07/09/2026
- Closes
- 20/09/2026
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Role summary
Join a caring team as a Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant, playing a vital role in patient care by accurately preparing and supplying medicines. This role offers a meaningful career path with opportunities for training and progression into accredited pharmacy qualifications. Work in a supportive NHS environment that values teamwork and continuous improvement, contributing to the health and well-being of the local population.
Key responsibilities
- Accurately label and dispense medicines from written and electronic prescriptions.
- Receive and check prescriptions, support reception and use the pharmacy computer systems.
- Help manage stock: order, receive, rotate and monitor expiry dates, assist with ward and departmental replenishment.
- Prepare pre-packed items and emergency drug boxes, support safe handling of controlled and specialist medicines.
- Support transport of medication between units and help coordinate supply with internal teams including oncology and manufacturing.
- Contribute to quality checks, tidy and efficient working areas, and assist in training pharmacy support staff.
Essential criteria
- Pharmacy services Assistant apprenticeship or equivalent to meet the requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
- Evidence of numeracy and literacy at level 1.
- Experience of team work.
- Experience of Pharmacy or another customer focussed, caring field.
- Working with formal procedures.
- Compiling complex orders.
- Experience of stock control/handling.
- Good oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
- Able to learn to advance own skills and knowledge.
- Computer skills.
- Able to work flexibly and prioritise workload.
- Able to distinguish accurately between similar products.
- Able to use initiative whilst knowing when to refer.
- Able to work safely and effectively under pressure and/or minimal supervision.
- Safety and Security awareness.
- Able to work alone and/or flexibly in a team.
- Responsible and Professional behaviour.
Desirable criteria
- Level 2 qualification/GCSE higher pass or above including maths, English and a science, or equivalent qualifications, or work experience that demonstrates comparable ability in a similar field.
- Recent experience of hospital pharmacy.
- Pharmacy Counter Sales Qualification.
- Proactive attitude to ongoing training and assessment.
- Customer Care skills.
- Understanding of Stock control.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 3 at £24,625 – £25,674 a year, across England.
This advert: £25,760 – £27,476 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 0d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant
The closing date is 20 September 2026
Job summary
NHS Band 3 Salary: £25,760 - £27,476 per annum
Hours per Week:37.5 full time
Contract Type: Permanent
Join a caring team that makes a difference every single day. If you're ready for a practical career where attention to detail, teamwork and compassion matter, start your pharmacy journey with us.
Main duties of the job
Why this role matters
- You will be at the heart of patient care, safely preparing and supplying medicines that help people recover, stay well and manage long-term conditions.
- This role offers a meaningful, transferrable career path with clear training and progression into accredited pharmacy qualifications and technical roles.
- Work in a friendly, professional NHS environment that values teamwork, respect and continuous improvement.
About us
Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.
Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety
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