PHARMACIST ASSISTANT (POST BASIC) GRADE 1 TO 3 Overberg District

This position is for a Pharmacist Assistant (Post Basic) at the Overberg District Office of the Western Cape Department of Health, with appointment available at Grade 1, Grade 2, or Grade 3 depending on the candidate’s level of post-registration experience. The role sits within the broader public health pharmacy service and is linked to the Rural Central Service platform, meaning that the successful candidate should be prepared to render clinical services across different institutions within the Rural Central area as needed to sustain health service delivery. This is a hands-on, patient-facing role that supports the pharmacy department in ensuring the safe, effective, and legally compliant supply of medicines to patients.

Applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) as a Pharmacist’s Assistant (Post Basic) or Pharmacist’s Assistant (Post Basic) (Institutional), and must be registered with the SAPC in the relevant category. For Grade 1, no post-registration experience is required. Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years’ appropriate experience after registration, while Grade 3 requires at least thirteen years of relevant experience after registration. Candidates who do not yet have the stipulated registration may still apply, but they will only be considered for appointment if they provide proof of application for registration with the SAPC and proof of payment of the prescribed registration fees on or before the day of the interview. This concession applies only to health professionals applying for the first time for registration in a specific category, including those who need to change their registration status.

The job also carries inherent requirements, including possession of a valid driver’s licence and a willingness to work overtime when necessary. The ideal candidate should have good written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work independently as well as within a multi-disciplinary team, and a sound knowledge of the relevant legislation and policies of the Western Cape Department of Health. These competencies are essential for ensuring good patient care and for maintaining the professional standards expected in a public sector pharmacy environment.

The main duties of the post are broad and include taking responsibility for the effective control and provision of pharmaceutical products, accurately compounding and manipulating medicines or scheduled substances, and controlling and distributing pharmaceutical stock to various areas within the facility for stock replacement. The role also involves data capturing, record keeping, statistics gathering, and providing information, as well as managing the daily running of the pharmacy department and handling queries on pharmacy matters. In addition, the pharmacist assistant will be responsible for preparing prescriptions and assisting with the dispensing of medication for individual patient use, all under the indirect supervision of a pharmacist and in accordance with the Pharmacy Act. This is a demanding but rewarding role for a qualified professional who is committed to serving the community and working within a collaborative healthcare environment. No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post.