Ahmed Assar

Experienced and commercially aware UK-registered Pharmacist Manager with a strong background in busy community pharmacy environments, combining clinical expertise with operational leadership, team development and customer-focused service delivery. Currently managing a high-volume community pharmacy, with responsibility for day-to-day operations, clinical governance, NHS services, financial performance, stock management, staffing and team development. Experienced in leading teams of up to 11 colleagues and maintaining safe, efficient pharmacy operations while working towards business and service targets.

Confident in delivering and supporting Pharmacy First, vaccinations and immunisations, New Medicine Service (NMS), emergency hormonal contraception and blood pressure services. Strong experience working with GPs, NHS 111, patients, care homes and other healthcare professionals. Previous management experience in international five-star hospitality environments has further developed leadership, recruitment, training, rota management, financial control, complaint resolution and service-improvement skills.

Pharmacist Manager - Well / Paydens Pharmacies

(2024-10)

• Lead and manage a pharmacy team of up to 11 staff, including pharmacists, technicians, dispensers and counter assistants.
• Coordinate day-to-day pharmacy operations, ensuring a safe, efficient and patient-focused service.
• Lead, coach, mentor and support team members to improve performance, confidence and professional development.
• Prepare and manage staff rotas, annual leave and workforce requirements.
• Promote a positive team culture based on accountability, professionalism and high standards of patient care.
• Ensure pharmacy procedures and staff practices align with SOPs, GPhC requirements and relevant NHS standards.
• Conduct accurate and timely clinical and accuracy checks across a high volume of prescriptions, including walk-ins, care-home prescriptions and monitored dosage systems.
• Deliver and support Pharmacy First, vaccinations and immunisations, NMS, emergency contraception and blood pressure services.
• Manage NHS 111 referrals, NHS emails, out-of-hours prescriptions and other professional communications.
• Liaise with GPs, NHS 111, patients, care homes and other healthcare professionals to resolve clinical and prescription-related issues.
• Take ownership of pharmacy financial and service-performance targets and identify opportunities to increase service uptake.
• Monitor stock availability and develop processes to reduce shortages of POM, P and OTC medicines while sourcing competitively from wholesalers.
• Improve stock organisation, expiry-date monitoring and storage processes to reduce wastage.
• Manage and reconcile NHS and Blue prescription claims and complete End-of-Month procedures efficiently.
• Maintain appropriate procedures for receiving, recording and securely storing Controlled Drugs and refrigerated medicines.
• Manage methadone dispensing, including accurate measurement, checking and safe handling.
• Process prescriptions using ProScript, including ordering, dispensing, clinical/accuracy checking and safe handover to patients.
• Monitor prescriptions through EPS, investigating missing prescriptions and liaising with GP practices when required.

Locum Pharmacist - LocumPrime Pharmacy Recruitment

(2021 - 2024)

Part Time

• Dispensed and clinically checked high volumes of prescriptions accurately and efficiently across community pharmacy settings.
• Identified prescription, dosage and clinical concerns and liaised with GPs where clarification was required.
• Provided professional patient consultations and appropriate advice regarding medicines and minor ailments.
• Supported pharmacy services while maintaining high standards of patient care.
• Managed stock levels, ordering, storage, rotation and expiry-date control, including refrigerated medicines.
• Supported controlled drug and medicines-management procedures.
• Managed prescription charges, patient declarations, cash handling and end-of-shift reconciliation.
• Maintained high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and organisation within the dispensary.
• Responded professionally to queries from patients, healthcare professionals and pharmacy colleagues.
• Adapted quickly to different pharmacy teams, systems, SOPs and operating procedures.

Trainee Pharmacist - Jaffer's Pharmacy - Portsmouth

(2019-09 - 2021-01)

• Completed pre-registration pharmacist training within a high-volume community pharmacy environment.
• Dispensed prescriptions accurately and safely, including methadone and other controlled medicines in accordance with prescriptions and pharmacy procedures.
• Provided patient support and responded to queries regarding medicines, repeat prescriptions and deliveries.
• Conducted OTC consultations, considering symptoms, existing medicines and potential interactions.
• Provided emergency hormonal contraception consultations and appropriate patient advice.
• Handled patient complaints professionally and helped introduce processes to reduce recurring issues.
• Supported prescription delivery operations and improved organisation and tracking of patient medication deliveries.

Trainee Pharmacist - Laly's Pharmacies - Portsmouth

(2019 - 2021)

Additional pre-registration placement - high-volume community pharmacy environment

Hotel Manager / Reception Manager - Platinum Recruitment Agency

(2017-04 - 2023-11)

Part Time

• Led, motivated and supported front-of-house teams, ensuring consistently high service standards.
• Managed staff rotas, annual leave and operational cover; supported recruitment, induction and training.
• Managed customer complaints and resolved complex issues professionally.
• Monitored budgets and contributed to weekly/monthly operational reporting.
• Introduced improvements to reservation and customer-service procedures.
• Supported increased room reservations and conference-room sales.
• Supervised VIP functions and events while maintaining high health, safety and service standards.

Hotel Manager - Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel

(2014-03 - 2015-06)

Full Time

• Led and developed front-of-house teams, including recruitment, induction and training.
• Managed operational issues, emergencies and customer concerns.
• Represented the General Manager when required, assuming responsibility for hotel operations.
• Conducted health and safety checks and maintained high operational standards.

Hotel Manager - Manchester Conference Centre

(2011-02 - 2014-03)

Full Time

• Managed night operations, cash handling, reservations, reporting and security.
• Supervised reception and support teams and ensured completion of operational duties.
• Managed customer complaints and service issues and prepared staff rotas.
• Maintained high standards of customer service, security, cleanliness and health and safety.

Volunteer - Aintree Hospital - Liverpool

(2019 - 2021)

A&E Department - 6+ months. Gained valuable experience in a busy hospital environment, working alongside healthcare professionals and developing further understanding of patient care, multidisciplinary communication and healthcare workflows.

Master of Pharmacy - MPharm - University of Brighton (2020)

Dispensing and Medicine Counter Assistant training - University of Brighton (2020)

Pre-registration Pharmacist Training - Jaffer's Pharmacy, Portsmouth & Laly's Pharmacies, Portsmouth (2020 - 2021)

Access to Pharmacy, Medicine & Dentistry - University of Manchester (2014 - 2016)

Pre-Access to Pharmacy & Medicine - University of Manchester

General Diploma in Education - equivalent to PGCE

Bachelor of English Literature - equivalent to Bachelor of Arts