Job Purpose
To provide a professional, friendly, and efficient service to all patients and customers while supporting the pharmacist and wider pharmacy team. The Pharmacy Counter Assistant plays a key role in delivering high-quality customer care, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting NHS and private pharmacy services, and ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the pharmacy.
The role requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail, confidentiality, and a commitment to delivering safe and effective pharmacy services in line with GPhC standards, NHS requirements, and company procedures.
Key ResponsibilitiesCustomer Service
- Welcome customers in a friendly, professional, and approachable manner.
- Provide excellent customer service at all times.
- Assist customers with enquiries and identify when referral to the pharmacist is required.
- Process sales accurately using the pharmacy till system.
- Promote pharmacy products and healthcare services appropriately.
- Handle customer concerns professionally and escalate where necessary.
Medicines and Pharmacy Support
- Assist with dispensing workflow as appropriate within training and competence.
- Receive and process prescription collections.
- Manage prescription storage and retrieval.
- Assist with ordering repeat prescriptions where applicable.
- Support stock control, date checking, stock rotation, and ordering.
- Maintain cleanliness and organisation of the dispensary and retail area.
- Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at all times.
Pharmacy Services
Support the delivery and promotion of NHS and private pharmacy services, including:
- NHS Blood Pressure Check Service
- Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (where offered)
- NHS Pharmacy First Service
- Seasonal Flu Vaccination Service
- COVID-19 Vaccination Service (where available)
- Travel Vaccination Clinics
- Private Vaccination Services
- Weight Management Services
- Smoking Cessation Services
- Healthy Living Pharmacy initiatives
- New Medicine Service (administrative support)
- Contraception Service (administrative support)
- Emergency Hormonal Contraception (where appropriate)
- Minor Ailment Services (where commissioned)
- Health Promotion Campaigns
- Health Checks and Wellbeing Clinics
- Vitamin and lifestyle advice within competence
- Point-of-care testing services where available
- Any future NHS or private pharmacy services introduced by the pharmacy.
Responsibilities include:
- Explaining available services to patients.
- Booking appointments.
- Completing administrative paperwork.
- Preparing consultation rooms.
- Supporting service delivery within training and competency.
- Recording information accurately.
- Encouraging patient uptake of pharmacy services.
Clinical Measurements
Where trained and competent:
- Carry out NHS Blood Pressure Checks.
- Take and record blood pressure readings accurately.
- Explain results within agreed protocols.
- Refer patients to the pharmacist where appropriate.
- Prepare equipment for clinical services.
- Ensure equipment is cleaned, maintained, and calibrated where required.
Vaccination Services
Where trained, accredited, and authorised:
- Assist in the delivery of vaccination clinics.
- Administer vaccinations where legally permitted and appropriately trained.
- Prepare vaccination rooms.
- Maintain vaccine stock.
- Ensure cold chain compliance.
- Complete patient documentation.
- Follow infection prevention and control procedures.
- Observe patients following vaccination in accordance with pharmacy procedures.
Health Promotion
Promote healthier lifestyles by encouraging patients to:
- Stop smoking.
- Maintain healthy weight.
- Improve diet.
- Increase physical activity.
- Monitor blood pressure.
- Access NHS screening programmes.
- Receive seasonal vaccinations.
- Utilise pharmacy healthcare services.
Administrative Duties
- Maintain accurate records.
- Book patient appointments.
- Process NHS and private service paperwork.
- File documentation securely.
- Handle telephone enquiries.
- Respond to emails where appropriate.
- Support audit requirements.
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with GDPR.
Retail Responsibilities
- Replenish shelves.
- Price stock.
- Merchandise displays.
- Monitor stock levels.
- Reduce waste through effective stock rotation.
- Assist with stock takes.
- Ensure promotional displays are maintained.
Compliance
- Comply with GPhC Standards.
- Follow NHS service specifications.
- Adhere to company SOPs.
- Maintain patient confidentiality.
- Follow safeguarding procedures.
- Follow infection prevention and control policies.
- Comply with Health and Safety regulations.
- Report incidents and near misses.
- Complete mandatory training.
Teamwork
- Work collaboratively with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, dispensers, and other healthcare professionals.
- Attend team meetings.
- Support colleagues during busy periods.
- Maintain a positive and professional attitude.
- Contribute to continuous improvement within the pharmacy.
Person SpecificationEssential
- Pharmacy Counter Assistant (Medicines Counter Assistant) qualification or willingness to undertake accredited training.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Strong communication skills.
- Good numeracy and literacy.
- Ability to work accurately under pressure.
- Good IT skills.
- Professional appearance and manner.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Flexible approach to work.
- Team player.
Desirable
- Previous experience in community pharmacy.
- Accredited Medicines Counter Assistant qualification.
- Experience supporting NHS pharmacy services.
- Experience carrying out NHS Blood Pressure Checks.
- Vaccination training (where applicable).
- First Aid qualification.
- Knowledge of Pharmacy First.
- Understanding of NHS pharmacy contracts.
Knowledge and Skills
- Customer service excellence.
- Healthcare communication.
- Basic clinical awareness.
- Infection prevention and control.
- Record keeping.
- Time management.
- Organisation skills.
- Problem-solving.
- Ability to prioritise workload.
- Understanding of safeguarding.
- Knowledge of confidentiality and GDPR.
Training Requirements
The successful candidate will be expected to complete and maintain training in:
- Medicines Counter Assistant qualification.
- NHS Blood Pressure Check training.
- Pharmacy First Service.
- Infection Prevention and Control.
- Safeguarding Adults and Children.
- Information Governance.
- GDPR.
- Health and Safety.
- Fire Safety.
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Customer Service.
- Basic Life Support (where required).
- Vaccination training (where appropriate).
- Any mandatory NHS or company training.
Working Conditions
- Standing for prolonged periods.
- Working within a busy community pharmacy.
- Occasional weekend and evening work.
- Handling confidential patient information.
- Working to deadlines and service targets.
General Responsibilities
Employees are expected to:
- Act in the best interests of patients at all times.
- Maintain professionalism and integrity.
- Participate in continuous professional development.
- Comply with all pharmacy policies and procedures.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the role and level of responsibility.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £12.71-£13.50 per hour
Experience:
- Pharmacy Counter Assistant: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
