The Department of Health invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for Messenger (Pharmacy) posts at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. The position supports pharmacy operational services through the collection and delivery of files, transportation of stock to wards and units, maintenance of delivery records and movement of stock within the pharmacy environment. The role contributes to ensuring the continuous availability of medicines and related stock across hospital wards through structured delivery schedules and request-based dispatch support.

The Messenger (Pharmacy) role forms part of essential hospital support services responsible for maintaining coordination between pharmacy units and wards. Responsibilities include assisting with logistics of stock movement, supporting record management processes and ensuring that required documentation and materials reach designated units in accordance with operational timelines. The position contributes directly to patient care support through efficient coordination of medicine distribution workflows within the hospital environment.

Position Title: Messenger (Pharmacy)
Reference Number: REFS/048330
Directorate: Pharmacy
Number of Posts: 3
Salary Package: R138 486 per annum
Location: Steve Biko Academic Hospital
Closing Date: 29 April 2026
Enquiries: Ms. L. Deysel – Tel: 012 354 1282

Overview of the Messenger (Pharmacy) Position

Purpose of the Position

The Messenger (Pharmacy) position supports pharmacy operations by ensuring the safe and timely movement of files, medicine packets and ward stock between hospital departments and pharmacy storage areas. The role ensures that stock deliveries follow scheduled timelines and that urgent requests are attended to efficiently.

Primary objectives of the role include:

• Supporting structured movement of pharmacy documentation
• Assisting with distribution of ward stock and vacuities
• Delivering medicine packets according to schedules
• Maintaining records of items collected and delivered
• Supporting internal logistics within pharmacy storage areas
• Ensuring accurate tracking of deliveries between units

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Core duties associated with the Messenger (Pharmacy) position include:

• Collection of files from wards according to scheduled requests
• Delivery of documentation from hospital units to the pharmacy
• Distribution of ward stock to designated departments
• Delivery of vacuities and medicine packets
• Transport of pharmacy materials between units
• Movement of boxes containing stock within pharmacy storage areas
• Recording details of collected documentation
• Maintaining delivery registers for stock movement
• Supporting safe transport of medicine packets between departments
• Ensuring adherence to delivery schedules
• Responding to urgent delivery requests from wards
• Supporting internal coordination between pharmacy and hospital units
• Maintaining accurate tracking of items collected and delivered
• Supporting operational readiness of pharmacy supply workflows
• Ensuring delivery documentation is updated consistently
• Supporting stock movement processes within pharmacy storage facilities
• Assisting with logistics coordination during high-demand service periods
• Ensuring delivery tasks are completed within required timelines

Additional responsibilities include:

• Supporting pharmacy operational workflow continuity
• Maintaining communication with ward personnel regarding deliveries
• Ensuring compliance with internal hospital transport procedures
• Supporting safe handling of stock during transport
• Maintaining structured delivery tracking systems

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum educational requirement:

• Standard/Grade 10 or National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 2 qualification

Required competencies include:

• Basic literacy skills (reading and writing)
• Basic communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Basic record keeping skills
• Time management skills
• Ability to work in a team environment

These requirements support operational readiness within hospital logistics and documentation movement environments.

Knowledge and Skills Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Ability to read delivery schedules
• Ability to follow instructions accurately
• Understanding of workplace communication practices
• Basic documentation handling ability
• Awareness of record keeping procedures
• Ability to coordinate deliveries between departments
• Ability to manage time effectively during scheduled tasks
• Ability to maintain delivery registers accurately
• Ability to support pharmacy workflow coordination
• Ability to maintain structured delivery tracking systems

Additional skills supporting performance in the role include:

• Coordination ability within hospital environments
• Ability to transport materials safely between units
• Organisational skills supporting delivery workflows
• Accuracy when recording stock movement
• Reliability in completing assigned delivery schedules
• Adaptability within structured operational environments

Operational Work Environment

The Messenger (Pharmacy) role operates within a structured hospital pharmacy environment responsible for coordinating movement of medicines, documentation and stock between wards and pharmacy storage areas. Responsibilities involve supporting daily operational delivery schedules and responding to urgent requests from hospital units requiring immediate stock distribution.

Daily tasks involve moving documentation between departments, transporting medicine packets to wards, delivering vacuities to pharmacy units and assisting with internal stock movement within pharmacy storage areas. The role contributes to maintaining continuity of pharmacy supply services across hospital units supporting patient care processes.

The position requires coordination with pharmacy personnel, ward staff and hospital logistics teams to ensure timely delivery of required materials according to operational schedules.

Record Keeping Responsibilities

Documentation responsibilities associated with the position include:

• Maintaining registers of files collected from wards
• Recording stock delivered to hospital units
• Tracking movement of medicine packets
• Maintaining delivery logs according to operational schedules
• Supporting verification of stock movement records
• Ensuring documentation accuracy during delivery processes
• Updating delivery tracking registers regularly
• Supporting structured documentation handling workflows

These responsibilities ensure accountability and accuracy within pharmacy logistics operations.

Stock Movement Responsibilities

Stock movement tasks associated with the role include:

• Transporting ward stock to designated units
• Delivering vacuities to pharmacy storage areas
• Moving medicine packets between departments
• Supporting movement of boxes containing pharmacy stock
• Ensuring safe handling of stock during transportation
• Supporting organisation of storage areas within pharmacy facilities
• Maintaining structured placement of stock within storage spaces
• Supporting efficient stock distribution workflows

These tasks contribute to maintaining operational readiness across pharmacy service environments.

Application Process

• Applications must be submitted strictly online through the Gauteng Department of Health E-Recruitment portal: http://professionaljobcenter.gpg.gov.za
• No hand-delivered, faxed or emailed applications will be accepted.
• Applicants requiring assistance with online applications may submit queries to: [email protected]

Applications must include:

• A fully completed and signed new Z83 application form
• A recently updated comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Applications submitted without a completed Z83 form and detailed CV will be disqualified.

Applicants must indicate the correct reference number REFS/048330 on the application form.

Shortlisting and Verification Process

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Human Resources to submit certified copies of qualifications and supporting documentation not older than six months before the interview date.

Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Proof of SAQA evaluation must accompany qualifications where applicable.

Verification procedures for shortlisted candidates include:

• Criminal record checks
• Identity verification
• Citizenship verification
• Credit record checks
• Qualification verification including matric
• Employment verification
• Social media screening where applicable

Candidates may also be required to complete skills or knowledge assessments depending on operational requirements.

Medical surveillance assessments will be conducted for recommended candidates where required.

Employment Equity and Additional Information

The Department of Health promotes representativity in the Public Service through employment decisions aligned with race, gender and disability equity objectives. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The Department reserves the right not to appoint or fill the advertised posts.

The Public Service does not charge any fees for job applications. Requests for payment during recruitment processes should be reported to relevant authorities.

Due to the anticipated volume of applications, receipt of applications will not be acknowledged. Applicants who do not receive feedback within three months after the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.

Criteria Questions for Applicants

Applicants must be able to confirm the following:

• Possession of Standard/Grade 10 or NQF Level 2 qualification
• Basic record keeping skills
• Time management skills required for delivery scheduling responsibilities