Pharmacist – Ridgeview (Fixed Term Contract) – Dis-Chem Pharmacies
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Job Type: Contract (Fixed Term)
Posted: 28 April 2026
Closing Date: 26 May 2026
Division: Dispensary Category
Business Unit: Pharmacy
Industry: Pharmaceuticals
Experience Level: Entry Level (2–3 years required)
Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited is seeking a qualified and registered Pharmacist to join their Ridgeview store in Johannesburg on a fixed-term contract basis. This role is centred on delivering high-quality pharmaceutical care, ensuring patient safety, and managing medicine-related needs in accordance with South African pharmacy regulations and professional standards.
The pharmacy environment is fast-paced, highly regulated, and customer-focused. Pharmacists play a critical role in ensuring that patients receive the correct medication, proper guidance, and ongoing support regarding their treatment plans. This position requires both clinical expertise and strong interpersonal skills, as pharmacists are often the final point of professional healthcare interaction for many patients.
This role is suitable for a motivated pharmacist who is looking to gain retail pharmacy experience or strengthen their professional exposure within a structured, high-volume retail environment.
Role Purpose
The primary purpose of this role is to provide safe, effective, and ethical pharmaceutical care to patients by ensuring accurate dispensing, clinical evaluation of prescriptions, patient counselling, and compliance with all regulatory requirements as set by the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) and the Medicines and Related Substances Act.
The pharmacist is also responsible for supervising pharmacy staff, ensuring compliance with operational procedures, and maintaining high standards of customer service and safety.
Key Responsibilities Explained in Detail
1. Pharmaceutical Care and Patient Safety
You will be responsible for assessing and meeting the medicine-related needs of patients.
This includes:
- Evaluating prescriptions for safety, dosage accuracy, and therapeutic effectiveness
- Identifying potential drug interactions and contraindications
- Ensuring patients receive appropriate medication therapy
- Monitoring patient compliance and treatment outcomes
- Providing follow-up care where necessary
The pharmacist is legally and professionally accountable for patient safety in all medication-related decisions.
2. Dispensing and Prescription Management
You will manage the dispensing of medicines in accordance with prescriptions issued by authorised prescribers.
This includes:
- Accurate interpretation of prescriptions
- Dispensing Schedule 1–6 medicines according to legal requirements
- Checking and signing off prescriptions prepared by assistants or interns
- Ensuring correct labelling, packaging, and instructions for use
- Managing pharmacist-initiated therapy where appropriate
Accuracy is critical, as dispensing errors can have serious health consequences.
3. Patient Consultation and Counselling
You will provide professional advice and counselling to patients regarding medication use.
This includes:
- Explaining how to take prescribed medication correctly
- Advising on side effects and precautions
- Educating patients on treatment adherence
- Answering medication-related queries in a professional manner
- Supporting patients with chronic conditions such as HIV, diabetes, and hypertension
Patient education is a key part of improving treatment outcomes.
4. Clinical Assessment and Follow-Up
You will assess patient therapy and ensure ongoing effectiveness.
This includes:
- Evaluating whether medication is achieving intended results
- Monitoring patient progress and compliance
- Referring patients to healthcare facilities when necessary
- Following up on prescriptions and chronic medication use
- Ensuring continuity of care for long-term treatment plans
5. Pharmacy Operations and Stock Management
You will assist in managing stock control and pharmacy operations.
This includes:
- Monitoring stock levels and reporting shortages or excess stock
- Participating in stock takes and audits
- Ensuring proper storage conditions for medicines
- Managing expiry dates and FEFO (First Expiry First Out) principles
- Supporting procurement and inventory control processes
Efficient stock management ensures availability of essential medicines.
6. Compliance and Legal Responsibilities
You will ensure full compliance with pharmacy legislation and professional standards.
This includes:
- Adhering to SAPC regulations and Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) standards
- Following the Medicines and Related Substances Act
- Ensuring accurate documentation and record keeping
- Maintaining confidentiality of patient information
- Ensuring all processes meet legal and ethical requirements
Non-compliance can result in legal and professional consequences.
7. Supervision and Team Support
You will support and supervise pharmacy support staff.
This includes:
- Checking work completed by assistants and interns
- Providing guidance and training where required
- Ensuring workflow efficiency in the dispensary
- Supporting the Dispensary Manager with daily operations
8. Customer Service and Front-Shop Support
You will assist patients in both dispensary and front-shop environments.
This includes:
- Advising on over-the-counter medication
- Assisting with self-medication requests
- Handling customer queries professionally
- Supporting medical aid processes and claims explanations
- Ensuring a positive customer experience
Minimum Requirements Explained
- Grade 12 / Matric (Essential)
Basic academic qualification required for entry into tertiary studies. - BPharm or Equivalent Qualification (Essential)
Recognised pharmacy degree required for registration. - SAPC Registration (Essential)
Mandatory registration with the South African Pharmacy Council. - 2–3 Years Pharmacy Experience (Required)
Retail pharmacy exposure is preferred to ensure readiness for fast-paced environments. - Computer Literacy (MS Office)
Required for dispensing systems, reporting, and administrative tasks.
Advantageous Experience
- Retail or FMCG pharmacy experience
- SAP or Unisolv systems experience
- E-scripting knowledge
- Additional language proficiency
- Experience as a tutor or supervisor
Key Skills and Competencies
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent communication and listening skills
- Strong numerical and analytical ability
- Problem-solving capability
- Ability to work under pressure
- Strong ethical and professional standards
- Customer-focused approach
- Team collaboration
- Time management skills
- Ability to supervise and train others
- Conflict management skills
Work Environment
This role operates in a retail pharmacy setting that is highly structured and customer-facing. You will be required to work in a controlled environment with strict compliance to health, safety, and pharmaceutical regulations.
The environment is fast-paced and requires accuracy, professionalism, and efficiency at all times.
Special Conditions of Employment
- Must be registered with SAPC
- Willing to work retail hours, including weekends and public holidays
- Physically able to stand for extended periods
- Must have reliable transport and valid driver’s licence
- Must pass credit and criminal background checks
- Must comply with strict health, safety, and security protocols
Performance Expectations
Success in this role will be measured by:
- Accuracy in dispensing and prescription management
- Patient safety and satisfaction levels
- Compliance with pharmacy regulations
- Efficiency in workflow and stock management
- Quality of patient counselling and service delivery
- Team support and operational contribution
Career Development Opportunities
This fixed-term role provides valuable exposure to retail pharmacy operations. With strong performance, pharmacists may progress into roles such as:
- Senior Pharmacist
- Dispensary Manager
- Area Pharmacist
- Pharmacy Operations Manager
Dis-Chem supports professional growth and continuous learning within the pharmacy sector.
The Pharmacist role at Dis-Chem Ridgeview is a critical healthcare position that combines clinical knowledge, patient care, and retail pharmacy operations.
It requires precision, responsibility, and strong ethical judgment, as pharmacists directly impact patient health outcomes every day.
This opportunity is ideal for qualified pharmacists seeking to build experience in a structured retail environment while contributing meaningfully to public health and patient wellbeing.
