PHARMACIST ASSISTANT (POST BASIC) GRADE 1 TO 3 Cape Winelands Health District

This position is for a Post Basic Pharmacist Assistant, graded at Levels 1 to 3, based in the Stellenbosch Sub-district of the Cape Winelands Health District within the Western Cape Department of Health. The successful candidate will work within a multi-disciplinary healthcare team and will be expected to support pharmaceutical service delivery across the district, particularly in line with the department’s ecosystem service platform, meaning that services may be rendered at various institutions within the facility ecosystem as needed to sustain patient care. The role is fundamentally about assisting pharmacists in ensuring that medicines are managed safely, legally and effectively, while also supporting the broader goals of public health service delivery in the district.

Applicants must hold a Post Basic Pharmacist Assistant qualification that permits registration with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC), either as a Pharmacist Assistant (Post-Basic) or Pharmacist Assistant (Post-Basic) (Institutional). Current registration with the SAPC in the appropriate category is required. Experience requirements vary by grade: for Grade 1, no post-registration experience is needed; for Grade 2, at least five years of appropriate experience as a Pharmacist Assistant after registration is required; and for Grade 3, the candidate must have at least thirteen years of such experience. A valid Code B or EB driver’s licence is an inherent requirement, and candidates must be willing to perform regular after-hours duties.

The role demands solid computer literacy, particularly in MS Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, as well as the ability to work accurately under pressure while maintaining high professional standards. Knowledge of national and provincial health policies, the Medicines Act, the Pharmacy Act and the Public Finance Management Act is essential. The incumbent will need appropriate clinical, pharmaceutical and stock management knowledge, along with innovative analytical thinking to help initiate and sustain programmes. Duties include assisting with pharmaceutical service delivery within the legal scope of practice, managing medicine supply by receiving, storing, controlling and distributing pharmaceuticals, and ensuring cold chain management wherever medicines are kept. The post holder will also provide health information and advice on correct medication usage and storage, support waste management and rational resource use, comply with policy and Good Pharmacy Practice Guidelines, and assist pharmacists with Chronic Dispensing Unit processes.

Importantly, no payment of any kind is required when applying. Candidates may be subjected to a practical test during the selection process. Those not yet registered with the SAPC may apply but will only be considered if they provide proof of application for registration and payment of the prescribed fees on or before the day of the interview, and this concession applies only to health professionals applying for first-time registration in a specific category. This summary serves as a comprehensive overview of the duties, requirements and conditions attached to the post.