Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Bank Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 12 February 2026

Job summary

Medway NHS Foundation Trust is looking for enthusiastic and reliable Bank Pharmacy Assistants to support our busy and friendly Pharmacy Department. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain NHS experience, develop pharmacy skills, and work flexibly around your availability.

As a bank member of staff, you'll play a vital role in ensuring patients receive their medicines safely, accurately, and on time -- helping us deliver outstanding care every day.

Main duties of the job

Working within Pharmacy, your responsibilities will include:

  • Supplying, delivering, and collecting medicines to and from wards and departments

  • Supporting stock control across ward areas, including top-ups, expiry date checks, and stock rotation

  • Assisting with receipt, storage, and distribution of medicines within the pharmacy

  • Assisting with the dispensing and supply of medicines
  • Processing outpatient and discharge prescriptions
  • Maintaining accurate records and supporting pharmacy administration

  • Reporting stock shortages, discrepancies, and urgent supply issues

  • Working closely with pharmacists, technicians, porters, and ward staff to support patient care

This is a practical, hands-on role with plenty of movement and teamwork throughout the day.

About us

People providing excellent care, every time?

Here at Medway, we pride ourselves on working together as one to ensure that our sharedvisionis achieved for our patients.

As a key partner in the healthcare of our local population, we are keen to deliver this as an outcome of our Trust-wide strategy -Patient First.Using an Operational Excellence approach to align our priorities and operational management structures, we are just over a year and half into ourPatient Firstdeployment. We are looking for creative, skilled people to join our Transformation Team and further support us on this journey.

Our culture and values define us here at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and are the heartbeat of who we are as an organisation.

OurBESTvalues underpinPatient Firstand are at the core of the care we give to our patients, the support we offer to our staff and our overall leadership approach:

B - Bold

E - Every person counts

S - Sharing and open

T - Together

Our Trust is a great choice for people who want to develop their career in an ambitious and dynamic environment; our employees are able to choose the coverage and supplemental benefits that best fit their needs and those of their families. This includes the promotion of flexible working opportunities across the Trust.

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£13.54 to £21.66 an hour per hour depending on shift

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

275-TSS-0126-BPHA

Job locations

Pharmacy department

Windmill Road

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Job description

Job responsibilities

General duties

Work within pharmacy Standard operating procedures.

To undertake (dispensing) and inventory management (stock control) duties within the Pharmacy to meet the needs and expectations of our service users

To buddy and train other members of pharmacy staff who rotate through operational areas on service specific tasks i.e. dispensing and top up services

To manage out of stock items and other communications to external customers

Ensure the correct storage of the medication and ensure good stock rotation and monitor and check and record expiry dates

Sort, file and archive prescriptions and other relevant paper as advised as per standard operating procedures.

Ensure that any to follow items are sent as soon as possible and any discrepancies checked.

Ensure the availability of sufficient stock and sundries/consumables to the operational areas

Answer the telephone and refer clinical queries to the appropriate trained staff member.

Maintain good customer services at all times.

Ensure that the appropriate manual and computer records are amended when stock is transferred and that stock discrepancies are either corrected immediately or reported to a senior member of staff

Carry out daily stock checks against the computer-generated monitoring sheets for stock audit. Ensure that any discrepancies are reported.

Delivery of medicines to wards and clinics when required during the week and at weekends

Liaise with patients, external customers and hospital staff and resolve any queries. Where queries cannot be resolved then escalate to the appropriate manager.

Safely handle medications including those that may be hazardous to health.

To support and assist all members of the pharmacy team.

Assist in the delivery of dispensed items to the wards and departments

Procurement, stores and distribution

Accurately count stock at ward level and replenish stocks to agreed levels.

Highlight any concerns with medicines security and storage requirements to ward staff and pharmacy managers.

Work under and understand good distribution practice as it relates to activities working with the MHRA framework for wholesaler dealer activities.

Ensure that the emergency drug cupboard has appropriate stock and escalate any times where there are stock shortages which mean the cupboard cannot be restocked fully.

To train other members of pharmacy staff regarding processes for external customers

Asses, process and accurately return any surplus or unused drugs following departmental standard operating procedures

Ensure that the goods received by the pharmacy are promptly unpacked and checked off against delivery notes.

Ensure that any to-follow or out of stock issues are promptly and accurately reported to both the procurement and distribution managers

Collate stock, including orders from Community clinics and other outside agencies, ready for collection by the pharmacy porter or hospital transport.

Accurately over label medications for use by the wards

Accurately assess stock levels at ward level and reorder based on set parameters as defined on the top up list.

Follow health and safety practice in line with health and safety legislation in line with guidance i.e. COSHH.

Use equipment and aids safely and as per standard operating procedures.

Dispensary Services

Maintain accurate records on both the CMM dispensing system and PTS (both for deliveries and general activity monitoring)

After training dispense controlled drugs for ward stock and named patients on discharge.

Ensure that any to follow items are sent as soon as possible and any discrepancies checked.

Ensure the availability of sufficient stock and sundries/consumables to the dispensary.

Receive outpatient prescriptions from customers and take the appropriate payment, advise on any benefits available to them and obtain details, to ensure the back of the prescription is completed accurately.

Receive prescriptions from healthcare staff.

Hand out medications to ward and clinic staff.

Record all financial transactions connected with NHS and private patients

Responsible for the Dispensary cash register procedure, including the float and cashing up.

To maintain current and relevant information in the waiting area as per departmental procedures and as advised by the dispensary manager

Accurately input prescription details into the prescription tracker system

Deal with enquiries from patients and healthcare staff on prescription wait times.

Manager minor complaints from patients and escalate to senior managers when issues are unresolved.

Communicate with wide range of patients and staff with differing communication needs.

To provide dispensing services for our external partners, including supply of patients discharge medicines, inpatient medicines and controlled drug stock.

Maintain accurate records on both the CMM dispensing system and PTS (both for deliveries and general activity monitoring)

To ensure regular stock balance checks are carried out of the Wholesale CD location and any discrepancies actioned immediately

Act as the main communicator between the dispensary at MMH and any external customers, such as MCH

Log, communicate and action any out of stock items needed by external customers

Ensure that any to follow items are sent as soon as possible and any discrepancies checked.

Ensure the availability of sufficient stock and sundries/consumables to the dispensary.

Communicate out of stock items to patients and wards in a timely fashion.

General

Participate in the late-night service, weekend and bank holiday rotas as required.

Report any complaints, incidents or near miss situations via the error reporting system and your line manager.

Maintain a clean and tidy environment

Undertake any other duties as deemed appropriate for safe running of the pharmacy department.

To maintain an active portfolio of continuing professional development (CPD)

All pharmacy staff must show confidentiality with regard to any information about patients, confidential information about the Trust and commercial information (e.g. drug prices).

All work will be carried out in accordance with the relevant laws, the guidelines of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and the General pharmaceutical council, Trust and departmental procedures and standards of professional practice

Key Result Areas

To provide a pharmacy service in accordance with current professional standards and clinical governance guidance.

To develop the required knowledge and skills.

To work as part of a multi disciplinary team providing an efficient and effective pharmacy service to the Trust, ensuring patients receive the optimum level of service and care.

Job description

Job responsibilities

General duties

Work within pharmacy Standard operating procedures.

To undertake (dispensing) and inventory management (stock control) duties within the Pharmacy to meet the needs and expectations of our service users

To buddy and train other members of pharmacy staff who rotate through operational areas on service specific tasks i.e. dispensing and top up services

To manage out of stock items and other communications to external customers

Ensure the correct storage of the medication and ensure good stock rotation and monitor and check and record expiry dates

Sort, file and archive prescriptions and other relevant paper as advised as per standard operating procedures.

Ensure that any to follow items are sent as soon as possible and any discrepancies checked.

Ensure the availability of sufficient stock and sundries/consumables to the operational areas

Answer the telephone and refer clinical queries to the appropriate trained staff member.

Maintain good customer services at all times.

Ensure that the appropriate manual and computer records are amended when stock is transferred and that stock discrepancies are either corrected immediately or reported to a senior member of staff

Carry out daily stock checks against the computer-generated monitoring sheets for stock audit. Ensure that any discrepancies are reported.

Delivery of medicines to wards and clinics when required during the week and at weekends

Liaise with patients, external customers and hospital staff and resolve any queries. Where queries cannot be resolved then escalate to the appropriate manager.

Safely handle medications including those that may be hazardous to health.

To support and assist all members of the pharmacy team.

Assist in the delivery of dispensed items to the wards and departments

Procurement, stores and distribution

Accurately count stock at ward level and replenish stocks to agreed levels.

Highlight any concerns with medicines security and storage requirements to ward staff and pharmacy managers.

Work under and understand good distribution practice as it relates to activities working with the MHRA framework for wholesaler dealer activities.

Ensure that the emergency drug cupboard has appropriate stock and escalate any times where there are stock shortages which mean the cupboard cannot be restocked fully.

To train other members of pharmacy staff regarding processes for external customers

Asses, process and accurately return any surplus or unused drugs following departmental standard operating procedures

Ensure that the goods received by the pharmacy are promptly unpacked and checked off against delivery notes.

Ensure that any to-follow or out of stock issues are promptly and accurately reported to both the procurement and distribution managers

Collate stock, including orders from Community clinics and other outside agencies, ready for collection by the pharmacy porter or hospital transport.

Accurately over label medications for use by the wards

Accurately assess stock levels at ward level and reorder based on set parameters as defined on the top up list.

Follow health and safety practice in line with health and safety legislation in line with guidance i.e. COSHH.

Use equipment and aids safely and as per standard operating procedures.

Dispensary Services

Maintain accurate records on both the CMM dispensing system and PTS (both for deliveries and general activity monitoring)

After training dispense controlled drugs for ward stock and named patients on discharge.

Ensure that any to follow items are sent as soon as possible and any discrepancies checked.

Ensure the availability of sufficient stock and sundries/consumables to the dispensary.

Receive outpatient prescriptions from customers and take the appropriate payment, advise on any benefits available to them and obtain details, to ensure the back of the prescription is completed accurately.

Receive prescriptions from healthcare staff.

Hand out medications to ward and clinic staff.

Record all financial transactions connected with NHS and private patients

Responsible for the Dispensary cash register procedure, including the float and cashing up.

To maintain current and relevant information in the waiting area as per departmental procedures and as advised by the dispensary manager

Accurately input prescription details into the prescription tracker system

Deal with enquiries from patients and healthcare staff on prescription wait times.

Manager minor complaints from patients and escalate to senior managers when issues are unresolved.

Communicate with wide range of patients and staff with differing communication needs.

To provide dispensing services for our external partners, including supply of patients discharge medicines, inpatient medicines and controlled drug stock.

Maintain accurate records on both the CMM dispensing system and PTS (both for deliveries and general activity monitoring)

To ensure regular stock balance checks are carried out of the Wholesale CD location and any discrepancies actioned immediately

Act as the main communicator between the dispensary at MMH and any external customers, such as MCH

Log, communicate and action any out of stock items needed by external customers

Ensure that any to follow items are sent as soon as possible and any discrepancies checked.

Ensure the availability of sufficient stock and sundries/consumables to the dispensary.

Communicate out of stock items to patients and wards in a timely fashion.

General

Participate in the late-night service, weekend and bank holiday rotas as required.

Report any complaints, incidents or near miss situations via the error reporting system and your line manager.

Maintain a clean and tidy environment

Undertake any other duties as deemed appropriate for safe running of the pharmacy department.

To maintain an active portfolio of continuing professional development (CPD)

All pharmacy staff must show confidentiality with regard to any information about patients, confidential information about the Trust and commercial information (e.g. drug prices).

All work will be carried out in accordance with the relevant laws, the guidelines of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and the General pharmaceutical council, Trust and departmental procedures and standards of professional practice

Key Result Areas

To provide a pharmacy service in accordance with current professional standards and clinical governance guidance.

To develop the required knowledge and skills.

To work as part of a multi disciplinary team providing an efficient and effective pharmacy service to the Trust, ensuring patients receive the optimum level of service and care.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good general education including GCSE in maths and English grade 4 or above
  • Good communication skills
  • Basic IT skills
  • Willingness to learn
  • Good teamwork

Desirable

  • Previous pharmacy experience
  • Previous hospital experience
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good general education including GCSE in maths and English grade 4 or above
  • Good communication skills
  • Basic IT skills
  • Willingness to learn
  • Good teamwork

Desirable

  • Previous pharmacy experience
  • Previous hospital experience

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

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Pharmacy department

Windmill Road

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Pharmacy department

Windmill Road

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Chief Pharmacy Techncian

Karen Neeves

karen.neeves@nhs.net

01634976531

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£13.54 to £21.66 an hour per hour depending on shift

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

275-TSS-0126-BPHA

Job locations

Pharmacy department

Windmill Road

Gillingham

ME7 5NY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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