Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) - Pharmacy

NHS; Ilford; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking a motivated individual to join their pharmacy team as a Pharmacy Support Worker. The successful candidate will manage stock, assist in medicines management, and perform dispensing duties. Applicants should have GCSEs in English and Mathematics and be willing to undergo NVQ Level 2 training. This position offers various progression pathways, and the role will be based at Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford, with rotations to other locations.

Benefits

High Cost Area Supplement of 15%

Comprehensive induction program

Qualifications

• Good standard of general education.
• Ability to complete tasks by assigned deadlines.
• Willingness to learn and participate in training.

Responsibilities

• Support stock and distribution management.
• Assist with medicines management and dispensing duties.
• Undertake stock medication ordering duties.

Skills

Good communication skills

Ability to work in a team

Education

GCSE (A to C or 4-9) in Mathematics, English Science

Willing to undertake NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated, ambitious, conscientious and reliable individual with a positive "can-do attitude" to join our forward-thinking pharmacy team at NELFT.

The post holder must be keen to learn :

• Stock and Distribution management - which will include the re -stocking of Omnicell cabinets
• Medicines Management - Supporting the Pharmacy Team and working closely with ward staff
• Dispensing duties

Applicants must be able to complete tasks by assigned deadlines and willing to complete the NVQ2 level pharmacy training for support staff.

They should also have a good standard of general education and have attained a GCSE grade of (A to C or 4-9 ) in English language, Mathematics and Double Science (or equivalent). Computer literacy is required although appropriate training will be given.

We are keen to develop the knowledge and skills of the successful candidate.

Once the initial NELFT probation period has been successfully completed, training will begin, on gaining the apprentice BTEC/NVQ Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Support staff.

Once all relevant criteria are met for the Level 2 qualification the applicant will progress to band 3.

Main duties of the job

There are also a number of opportunities and progression pathways to work towards becoming a Pre-RegistrationTrainee Pharmacy Technician.

The post holder will be based at Goodmayes Hospital, Ilford and rotate across Waltham Forest and Brentwood Community Hospital in Essex. They will also work in our busy dispensary, providing a range of dispensing duties for our inpatient and community teams.

The post holder will undertake stock medication ordering duties, in support of the ward-based clinical pharmacy service, to all inpatient units, home treatment teams, and off-site community teams across NELFT.

This includes replenishing stock in Omnicell cabinets, supporting security and safe storage, and cold chain maintenance of vaccines and refrigerated medicines.

Supporting the Medicines Management Pharmacy Technicians and Senior Pharmacy Assistant in minimising pharmaceutical waste by providing a service to all designated wards and community teams.

Carrying out Patient's Own Medicines assessments and obtaining the patient's consent to use or destroy medicines.

Applicants should have received a good standard of general education and have attained GCSE grades A to C or 4-9 in Mathematics and English (or equivalent). Computer literacy is required although appropriate training will be given.

We are keen to develop the knowledge and skills of the successful candidate.

https://careersinpharmacy.uk/careers-map/mental-health-services/

About us

Our Values 2025 - 2030

Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have coproduced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.

They are:

• We are kind.
• We are respectful.
• We work together with our communities.

These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,714 to a maximum of £5,941 per annum (pro rata for part time).

Details

Date posted: 05 November 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 2

Salary: £24,465 a year per annum pro rata plus HCAS

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number: 395-CC336-25

Job locations: Goodmayes Hospital, (All NELFT Pharmacy Services), Barley lane, Ilford, IG3 8XJ

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Please apply as soon as possible as some posts close early to limit the number of applications.

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.

Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.

Person Specification

Skills essential:

• Good communication skills and able to communicate with other staff
• The ability to work in a team

Desirable:

• Familiarity with computer systems
• Able to travel efficiently/drive

Experience desirable:

• work experience, preferably in a pharmaceutical environment

Qualifications essential:

• Education qualifications. GCSE (A to C or 4-9) in Mathematics, English Science
• Willing to undertake the NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services for support staff

Desirable:

• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services plus accredited underpinning knowledge or equivalent

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name: NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address: Goodmayes Hospital, (All NELFT Pharmacy Services), Barley lane, Ilford, IG3 8XJ

Employer's website: https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)