Job summary
PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and patient-focused Medicines Optimisation Assistant to join our dynamic Pharmacy Team within our acute hospital setting.

This exciting NEW role will support the delivery of high-quality medicines optimisation services across a range of inpatient wards and clinical specialties. Working closely with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nursing staff and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will play a key role in ensuring patients receive safe, effective and timely medicines throughout their hospital journey.

The successful candidate will contribute to medicines management, patient counselling, discharge planning and the promotion of best practice in medicines optimisation, helping to improve patient outcomes and enhance the patient experience. The post holder will also support and supervise more junior staff in the delivery of ward-based medicines optimisation activities.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role. We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will:

• Support the delivery of medicines optimisation services across inpatient wards.
• Ensure patients' own medicines are assessed, managed and utilised appropriately during admission.
• Actively co-ordinate medicines-related discharge processes to facilitate timely and safe patient discharge.
• Monitor discharge prescriptions and liaise with pharmacy, ward teams and prescribers to identify and resolve delays.
• Support the transfer of care process by ensuring accurate communication of medicines changes to patients, carers, community pharmacies and primary care providers.
• Support timely discharges by assisting with medication ordering, dispensing of discharges as part of the discharge planning processes.
• Provide patients with information and support regarding their medicines under the supervision of pharmacy professionals.
• Work collaboratively with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nursing staff and medical teams to resolve routine medicines-related issues.
• Support stock management and medicines governance processes within clinical areas.
• Participate in audits, service improvement initiatives and data collection activities.

About us
We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.

We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Job responsibilities
See attached Job description and personal specification for full details.

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances, in discussion with the post holder. This role profile is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role with initial and on-going discussions with the designated manager.

Education, qualifications & training
Essential

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent, including Maths and English, at Grade C or above
• Knowledge of procedures for Pharmacy Services - on the job training, experience to NVQ3 or equivalent
• NVQ Level 2 (Pharmacy Services) or equivalent
• Dispensing accuracy accreditation. South West scheme or equivalent
• Completed PWDS Final Accuracy Checking Programme
• Completed medicines optimisation for support staff training/competency

Desirable

• Completed or willing to work towards Management and Leadership competencies
• Previous training in the Pharmacy services with a good education and understanding of GD

Experience
Essential

• Experience as a hospital pharmacy assistant, or supervisory experience in a community Pharmacy
• Recent practical experience in a busy dispensing environment
• Managing own workload to meet the needs of a service

Desirable

• Experience of supervising, directing, organising and monitoring performance in a high-pressured environment
• Experience of leading teams and staff management
• Experience of training individuals

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.

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: Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon, SN3 6BB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Lead Medicines Optimisation Technician
Rhiannon Barham
rhiannon.barham@nhs.net
01793607781

Details
Date posted: 24 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 249-8153306-2
Job locations: Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon, SN3 6BB, United Kingdom