Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Assistant/Porter

The closing date is 06 April 2026

Job summary

Band 2 Pharmacy Assistant/Porter

The Pharmacy Assistant/Porter undertakes duties in Pharmacy Stores, performing a range of tasks to assist and support the provision of a variety of Pharmacy services, delivering all stock medicines and I.V. Fluids throughout the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Main duties of the job

Collect and deliver the Pharmacy Boxes to and from the Wards, Clinics, Departments, andTheatres according to the delivery schedules in operation.
Pick IV fluids accurately and pack ready for safe delivery and distribution according to departmental standard operating procedures.
Ensure that all deliveries are made securely and that delivery boxes are never left unattended.
Receipt and check bulk fluid deliveries twice a week liaising with the Rotational Senior Pharmacy Assistant to book in the goods in CMM and flagging up any discrepancies and issues identified.
Count bulk fluids twice a week and liaise with the procurements team for placing orders.
Liaise with delivery drivers and sign for deliveries, checking that parcels are labelled correctly and packages requiring special storage are dealt with correctly.
Follow standard operating procedures when handling substances subject to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations, including deliveries containing dry ice.
Report stock discrepancies and assist with cyclical stock takes, following departmental standard operating procedures.
Hand over packages containing pharmaceutical stock to internal and contracted staff, obtaining signatures where required and ensuring storage and handling requirements are maintained and communicated.
Ensure health and safety regulations are observed.
Adhere to Departmental security procedure and NHS Foundation Trust/Pharmacy policies.

About us

Reading sits on the river Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.

The CQC rated the care provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as Good.

Our "CARE" values:Compassionate,Aspirational,Resourceful,Excellent, reflect the type of Trust we aspire to be and you can join our dedicated and talented staff to make this happen.

Date posted

22 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-7849962NCG

Job locations

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details of the job role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details of the job role.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications & Training

Essential

GCSEs at level 4-9 (grade A* - C or equivalent) in Maths, English Language and 2 Science subjects (A)

Desirable

NVQ and BTEC Level 2 in Pharmacy Services, OR willing to work towards qualification (A)

Experience

Essential

Lifting and Handling; Customer service experience

Desirable

Previous working experience

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Essential

Ability to prioritise workload and work independently with minimal supervision
Able to work under pressure
Ability to handle and move up to 20kg
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to work with a good level of concentration for prolonged periods of time

Desirable

Proficient IT and keyboard skills

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications & Training

Essential

GCSEs at level 4-9 (grade A* - C or equivalent) in Maths, English Language and 2 Science subjects (A)

Desirable

NVQ and BTEC Level 2 in Pharmacy Services, OR willing to work towards qualification (A)

Experience

Essential

Lifting and Handling; Customer service experience

Desirable

Previous working experience

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Essential

Ability to prioritise workload and work independently with minimal supervision
Able to work under pressure
Ability to handle and move up to 20kg
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to work with a good level of concentration for prolonged periods of time

Desirable

Proficient IT and keyboard skills

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN

Employer's website

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN

Employer's website

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)