Pharmacy Assistant

Pharmacy Counter Assistant / Trainee Dispenser

Location: Mottingham Pharmacy, 71–73 Mottingham Road, London, SE9 4QZ
Company: Mottingham Healthcare Ltd
Positions available: Two
Hours: Full-time and part-time opportunities available
Salary: Competitive and dependent on experience and qualifications

About Mottingham Pharmacy

Would you like to become part of a friendly pharmacy team at the heart of the Mottingham community?

Mottingham Pharmacy is a busy and welcoming community pharmacy providing NHS, private and veterinary prescriptions alongside a growing range of professional healthcare services.

We work closely with local GP surgeries, care homes, district nurses, hospitals and other healthcare professionals. Our aim is to provide every patient with a personal, professional and dependable service.

We are now looking for two friendly, motivated and caring individuals to join our team as Pharmacy Counter Assistants or Trainee Dispensers.

Previous pharmacy experience would be helpful, but it is not essential. We are primarily looking for people with the right attitude: reliable, enthusiastic, eager to learn and genuinely interested in helping patients.

About the role

You will work alongside our pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, dispensers and counter team, helping us provide a safe, efficient and welcoming service.

The position combines customer service, retail duties, stock management and, once appropriately trained, supporting the dispensary team with the preparation of prescriptions.

Every day will be varied, and full training will be provided to help you develop confidence, knowledge and practical pharmacy skills.

Your responsibilities will include

• Welcoming patients and customers in a warm, polite and professional manner.
• Responding sensitively to enquiries at the pharmacy counter and by telephone.
• Referring patients to the pharmacist whenever clinical advice is required.
• Learning how to provide appropriate advice on over-the-counter medicines under the pharmacist’s supervision.
• Advising patients on healthy-living services available through the pharmacy.
• Supporting patients with prescription charges and exemption declarations.
• Accurately processing cash and card payments and operating the till.
• Handing out completed prescriptions following the pharmacy’s patient-identification and collection procedures.
• Receiving, checking and putting away daily stock deliveries.
• Replenishing retail and dispensary stock.
• Carrying out stock rotation and expiry-date checks.
• Ensuring medicines are stored safely and appropriately.
• Keeping the pharmacy counter, retail area and dispensary clean, tidy and well organised.
• Processing returned medicines safely in accordance with pharmacy procedures.
• Completing general administrative duties and maintaining accurate records.
• Supporting the promotion and delivery of pharmacy services, including Pharmacy First, vaccination services, smoking-cessation support and other NHS and private services.
• Assisting with prescription preparation and labelling once appropriately trained and competent.
• Supporting the preparation of monitored dosage systems for care-home and community patients once fully trained.
• Following all pharmacy SOPs, confidentiality requirements, health-and-safety procedures and security policies.

What we are looking for

We would be delighted to hear from applicants who can demonstrate:

• A friendly, caring and patient-focused approach.
• Excellent communication and customer-service skills.
• Reliability, punctuality and a positive attitude.
• Good attention to detail and a willingness to learn.
• The ability to remain calm and organised in a busy environment.
• Confidence working with computers and learning new systems.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a professional team.
• Respect for patient confidentiality, dignity and cultural differences.
• Flexibility to support colleagues and the wider needs of the pharmacy.

Applicants with previous community-pharmacy, healthcare, retail or customer-service experience are welcome, although this is not essential.

Training and development

The successful candidates will receive comprehensive workplace training and ongoing support from experienced members of the pharmacy team.

Where appropriate and subject to eligibility, we will support suitable candidates in completing recognised Medicines Counter Assistant training and working towards a Level 2 pharmacy services qualification.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who would like to begin or develop a long-term career within community pharmacy.

What we can offer

• A welcoming and supportive pharmacy team.
• Full training for suitable candidates.
• Full-time and part-time opportunities.
• Practical experience across the pharmacy counter and dispensary.
• Opportunities to develop recognised pharmacy qualifications.
• A varied role with genuine responsibility and patient contact.
• Career-development opportunities within an established independent pharmacy group.
• A competitive salary reflecting experience and qualifications.

How to apply

Please apply in writing by email or post, enclosing your CV and a brief covering letter explaining why you would like to join Mottingham Pharmacy.

Please also include your current availability, preferred working hours and any relevant pharmacy, healthcare, retail or customer-service experience.

We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming the right candidates into our team.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: £12.75 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Free flu jabs

Experience:

• Retail sales: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person