Job Description

The pharmacy department at Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust (Queen Elizabeth Hospital site) have a vacancy for a Senior Medicines Management Pharmacy Assistant to provide a patient-facing role from a ward-based setting.



Do you have significant hospital / community pharmacy experience and you're now looking for the next step in your career? This is an excellent opportunity to join our dedicated ward based clinical pharmacy team, striving for excellence and aiming to provide the highest standards of care for our patients, with the emphasis on reducing medicines waste, maximising ordering efficiency and creating better sustainability.

You will already hold the NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or be willing to undertake this qualification as an apprenticeship which includes a salary reduction for the duration of the apprenticeship.



Applicants should also be highly motivated, a good team player, willing to learn and have good communication skills. You will also need to have a good general education, GCSE Maths and English at grade C(4/5) or above (or equivalent).

PLEASE NOTE:

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post



Please complete your application demonstrating your experience in line with the person specification and job description as failure to do so may lead to non-progression to the short listing stage of the process.



Part time or flexible working options will be considered, so we encourage you to contact us for more information.

Interview date:

1st October 2025



Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:



Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development



Widening access (anchor institution) and employability



Improving the experience of staff with disability



Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development



Making equalities mainstream

Job Summary:

To work on designated wards and perform a range of pharmacy related duties in accordance with set procedures. To assist the Pharmacists and Medicines Management Technicians at ward level in providing a medicines management service to the wards. To reduce wastage of medicines by assisting with medication transfer within the trust. To be a point of contact for healthcare professionals and pharmacy staff on ward related issues. To participate in the dispensing of pharmaceuticals for in-patients and support ward dispensing initiatives. To ensure that clinical areas are adequately stocked with pharmaceuticals and according to departmental standards.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

Medicines Management



To undertake extended roles at ward level including ward based dispensing of inpatients; discharges and controlled drugs according to the pharmacy department's policies and procedures, following a period of supervised practice. To check patients POD lockers on a daily basis, Removing any stopped or otherwise unwanted medications and identifying medicines that need ordering by the pharmacy technician/pharmacist. This will occur after a period of training and supervision. To support teams in any blister pack or compliance aid completion. To work in close partnership with the Band 2 Medicines Management Pharmacy Assistant, acting as a role model in order to further develop the technical service. To complete all necessary training to meet the standards required for working at ward level. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with members of the healthcare team and pharmacy team to support a seamless medicines management process. To be responsible for one's own time management to ensure that the medicines management service is supported effectively. Contact primary care sources e.g. GP surgeries, community pharmacies, etc. as requested by other members of the pharmacy team to send or receive information relating to medicines management, which will include the photocopying, filing and faxing of documents when necessary. Make decisions based on the relevant information to solve problems and refer where necessary to the appropriate pharmacist or medicines management technician any issues or queries related to the wards or dispensary. Participate in audits of the service including data collection under supervision. Assist in the transfer of medicines between wards and locating medicines that have been left behind when patients are transferred between wards, including patient's own drugs. Be responsible for the stock management for designated ward(s) via a regular top up service and work with the pharmacy team to ensure that stock lists are regularly reviewed and updated. To liaise with nursing staff to ensure controlled drug orders are placed early in the morning. Update and review ward stock lists on a three monthly basis in conjunction with the ward technician/pharmacist and ward manager. Dealing with problems associated with the ordering of stock and specials on behalf of the pharmacy team and refer where appropriate, liaising closely with pharmacy stores and procurement. To support the medicines management service by helping provide training for students or other staff on the roles and activities of the ward pharmacy team where appropriate. To carry out receptionist duties including, answering telephones, responding to bleeps, faxing and emailing. To maintain records and prescription files. To carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by the senior technician

Partnerships



Communications and Relationships

Internal :

To liaise with all members of the pharmacy team.



To liaise with other healthcare staff within the Trust.



With patients and their representatives

External:

As necessary for transferring information . e.g. GP's, community pharmacies and nursing and residential homes, patient's representatives or carers