South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 10 September 2025

Job summary

There has never been a better time to join the Trust's Pharmacy team as a Senior Pharmacy Assistant. We have been working on transforming our ways of working by introducing a bag repacking service which will play a vital role in ensuring our front line crews are ready and able to respond to emergency situations by preparing our equipment to high standards. This has been working well in the sites we have introduced it in, however we have just received sign off and funding to take it to the next level. So in the next few months we will be trialling a pouch based system to improve the flow of medicines ready for use, reduce checking and restocking times. Alongside this within this financial year we will be introducing an electronic inventory management system for better visibility and tracking of medicines.

The role of the Senior Pharmacy Assistant is also a gateway to the organisation with opportunities to develop you career with us either within the Pharmacy team or the wider Trust in both patient-facing and a variety of support roles.

Main duties of the job

Senior Pharmacy Assistants supervise a team responsible for repacking drugs bags and pouches in a prescribed and controlled way that ensures each bag or pouch is ready to be used by our clinicians to treat patients. The role is a key operational support function which ensures patient safety whilst supporting Operations in meeting its targets.

Main duties include:

  • Daily supervision of the Pharmacy team;
  • Analysis of a range of complex discrepancies and identification of solutions;
  • Ordering, receiving and storing medicines;
  • Effective stock rotation;
  • Picking & packing of orders to fill drugs bags or pouches;
  • Carrying out checking and other quality control processes;
  • Supporting the returns and disposal processes;
  • Making suggestions for improvements;
  • Follow the Trust's medicines Policies and Standard Operational Procedures

This is the start of a new initiative where we are seeking to develop our service and are looking for committed people

About us

At South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) we have a culture where everyone is valued for being themselves. Our aim is to work together to promote the most inclusive environment possible, which attracts people from the widest range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work that we do together, for the benefit of all of our employees, our patients and the communities we serve. We offer flexible working opportunities, inclusive policies and a range of feedback mechanisms to support individuals and to enable a positive, welcoming environment where our people and their careers can thrive in.

We employ over 5,000 employees mainly clinical, operational and emergency response staff as well as supporting roles. We also employ Doctors and volunteers which include community first responders and fire co-responders.

We take all the steps needed to provide the most compassionate patient care possible whilst also providing an enjoyable and safe place to work. We actively promote a positive set of behaviours as being key to our performance both individually and collectively. Our recruitment, selection and screening processes are designed to uphold these standards and we invite all our candidates to actively share with us through these processes how they will bring these behaviours to life.

Details

Date posted

27 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

202-7442153

Job locations

Emerald Park

Emersons Green

Bristol

BS16 7FG


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see attached the job description and person specification attached.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see attached the job description and person specification attached.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

  • Minimum of 3 level 2 qualifications e.g. GCSE's (or equivalent) at grade C or above including English and Maths

Desirable

  • Certificate in Medicines Management for Ambulance Trusts or successful completion of Pharmacy Services Assistant Apprenticeship (RQF level 2 equivalent) or the ability to attain after a period of training.
  • Leadership or supervision qualifications

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in a role that required following strict guidelines and procedures.
  • Previous experience of supervision / leadership.
  • Working in a trustworthy position.

Desirable

  • Experience of medicines management in a primary or secondary care setting.

Skills

Essential

  • Good computer literacy to operate an electronic inventory management system, use email, Excel and Word effectively and participate in video conference calls

Desirable

  • Knowledge of processes involved in stock control and managing a store.
  • EDCL

Driving

Essential

  • Full Driving Licence with a maximum of 3 points
Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

  • Minimum of 3 level 2 qualifications e.g. GCSE's (or equivalent) at grade C or above including English and Maths

Desirable

  • Certificate in Medicines Management for Ambulance Trusts or successful completion of Pharmacy Services Assistant Apprenticeship (RQF level 2 equivalent) or the ability to attain after a period of training.
  • Leadership or supervision qualifications

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in a role that required following strict guidelines and procedures.
  • Previous experience of supervision / leadership.
  • Working in a trustworthy position.

Desirable

  • Experience of medicines management in a primary or secondary care setting.

Skills

Essential

  • Good computer literacy to operate an electronic inventory management system, use email, Excel and Word effectively and participate in video conference calls

Desirable

  • Knowledge of processes involved in stock control and managing a store.
  • EDCL

Driving

Essential

  • Full Driving Licence with a maximum of 3 points

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Emerald Park

Emersons Green

Bristol

BS16 7FG


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Emerald Park

Emersons Green

Bristol

BS16 7FG


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Supply and Delivery Site Manager

Lisa Brenton

lisa.brenton@swast.nhs.uk

07854065370

Details

Date posted

27 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

202-7442153

Job locations

Emerald Park

Emersons Green

Bristol

BS16 7FG


Supporting documents

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