Outpatient Pharmacy Assistant; Dispenser; suitable hospital practice

Looking to use your skills in a new setting or pharmacy sector?
Have you considered working in a hospital outpatient setting?...

Following the successful training of three of our dispensers into registered Pharmacy Technicians, we are once again expanding our successful, friendly outpatient pharmacy team. We are searching for a Pharmacy Assistant who is looking for a new role in a hospital setting and use their skills each day without having to work on a ward.

This role is suitable for people new to the hospital sector, as well as more established individuals who are looking for a change of sector from community pharmacy practice. The successful candidate will support both dispensing, and the pharmacy counter dealing directly with doctors, nurses, allied health-professionals and members of the public.

The full-time role is for 40-hours a week, Monday to Friday – there is no weekend, late-night or Bank Holiday working.

The annual salary will start from £28,000 depending on experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an outpatient hospital pharmacy that has a focus on patient safety and experience. You will be working in a very busy and supportive environment, providing a safe and patient-centred service, whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The role is perfect for people seeking a new challenge, and particularly suits those with a strong focus on patient care, communication and an ability to develop solid working relationships with doctors, nurses and the wider healthcare team.

As a new Pharmacy Assistant (Dispenser) at Pharm Co your role will include:

• Being part of a pharmacy team of around 10 people, working under the direction of a registered pharmacist and professional leadership of a registered technician.
• Advising patients about their prescription and over-the-counter medicines
• Helping with the tasks needed to open up and close the pharmacy each day
• Preparing and dispensing medicines, and delivering them between our on-site dispensaries
• Managing the pharmacy counter, dealing directly with doctors, nurses, allied health-professionals and members of the public.
• Using effective questioning and listening techniques to understand and meet the needs of patients and colleagues
• Helping ensure medicines are appropriately ordered, received, secured and managed
• Completing project work with the support of one of our pharmacists or technicians, including audit participation
• Using effective questioning and listening techniques to understand and meet the needs of patients and colleagues

We are ‘Pharm Co’, the wholly owned subsidiary outpatient pharmacy of the Royal Surrey County Hospital. We run two dispensaries at the hospital, and one non-dispensing hub for patients to collect their medicines and get advice.

Clinically we cover a diverse range of hospital-based specialities, particularly paediatrics, emergency medicine, rheumatology, gastroenterology and ophthalmology, as well as serving the UK’s fourth largest cancer centre.

We have a strong focus on people development and a clear career pathway map for our pharmacist and technical colleagues, which provide opportunities to develop clinical, managerial and leadership skills and knowledge.

We recognise that diversity brings strength and value, so we don’t simply accept difference, we actively encourage and celebrate it. Studies have shown that historically under-represented talent are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement. At Pharm Co we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t perfectly align with the job description, please still consider applying – you may be just the right candidate!

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.

We truly appreciate our staff and reward them with the best benefits package we can, including:

• Weekday working only
• A 24/7, 365 wellbeing support service through our partner staff benefits organisation
• Competitive starting salary
• Generous annual leave entitlement including bank holidays
• Free on-site parking
• Flexible working opportunities, including Sabbatical Leave for longer-term employees
• Competitive private pension scheme
• On-site nursery (chargeable)
• Staff gym (low annual charge)
• On-site social club
• Paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave