Pharmacy Assistant with Dispensing Duties
Pharmacy Assistant with Dispensing Duties
Wellbeing Pharmacy – Cox Lane, Ipswich
£12.75 per hour
40 hours per week (See working pattern below)
Annual pay equivalent: £26,520 gross per year
Build a Secure Career in Community Pharmacy
Are you accurate, hardworking and confident communicating with customers?
Wellbeing Pharmacy is recruiting a Pharmacy Assistant with Dispensing Duties for our Cox Lane branch in Ipswich.
This is a consistent, secure and fully site-based role within a busy community pharmacy. We are looking for someone who can communicate clearly, work accurately and remain flexible when supporting patients, customers and colleagues.
Previous experience in a UK pharmacy is preferred. However, full training will be provided for a suitable applicant who lives locally in Ipswich and has strong customer-service skills, a reliable work ethic and a genuine interest in developing a career in pharmacy.
We recognise hard work and provide opportunities for pharmacy training, additional qualifications and career progression.
The Role
You will support the day-to-day operation of the pharmacy across three main areas:
Customer and Patient Support
You will welcome customers, manage waiting times, answer questions and refer clinical or technical matters to the pharmacist or an appropriately trained colleague.
Medicines Counter and Retail Support
You will assist with over-the-counter sales, retail stock, customer payments, displays, promotions and maintaining an organised and professional pharmacy environment.
Dispensing Support
You will support the preparation and supply of prescriptions under supervision and in accordance with pharmacy procedures.
The role requires regular communication with patients, customers, GP surgeries, care providers and other healthcare professionals.
Typical Working Pattern
All working days include a 30-minute unpaid break.
Monday to Friday: 9:00 am–5:30 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Total paid hours: 40 hours per week
Additional cover may occasionally be required during staff holidays, seasonal demand or other busy periods. You may also occasionally be asked to support another nearby Wellbeing Pharmacy branch where reasonably required by the business.
This is an on-site pharmacy position and cannot be performed from home.
Preference
Applicants who already hold a Pharmacy Counter Assistant qualification or an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services are preferred.
However, training will also be provided for strong candidates who can demonstrate a good employment record and relevant transferable skills, including customer service, communication, accuracy, administration, retail, healthcare or working effectively in a busy public-facing environment.
Key Duties
- Welcome patients and customers, manage queues and communicate waiting times clearly.
- Receive prescriptions, hand out completed medicines under supervision and refer appropriate queries to the pharmacist or trained colleagues.
- Support the dispensing process in accordance with pharmacy procedures and under appropriate supervision.
- Assist with over-the-counter medicine sales, NHS and private service referrals, and general customer enquiries.
- Answer telephone calls, record messages accurately and communicate with patients, GP surgeries and other healthcare professionals.
- Process cash and card payments, receive stock deliveries, replenish shelves and maintain accurate pricing and displays.
- Maintain confidentiality, cleanliness and infection-control standards while following pharmacy procedures, NHS requirements and applicable regulations.
Key Skills
Effective Communication
You must be able to speak clearly, listen carefully and communicate respectfully with patients, customers and colleagues.
Accuracy
You must follow instructions carefully, record information correctly and understand that mistakes in a pharmacy environment may affect patient safety.
Flexibility
You must be willing to support different parts of the pharmacy operation and adapt to changing customer and business needs.
Customer Service
You should remain calm, helpful and professional when dealing with queues, telephone enquiries, complaints and busy periods.
Reliability
You must attend work consistently, arrive on time and complete assigned duties responsibly.
About Wellbeing Pharmacy
Wellbeing Pharmacy is a growing independent community pharmacy group operating over 60 branches across England, providing accessible pharmacy services and healthcare support to local communities. The Group has received recognition through the Chemist+Druggist Awards and the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards for its growth, entrepreneurship and contribution to community healthcare.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £12.75 per hour
Application question(s):
- The role is for British national or those settled in the UK, do you have the right to work in the UK?
Licence/Certification:
- Pharmacy Assistant, Dispensing or Retail Qualification (preferred)
Work Location: In person
