Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) - Pharmacy | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

North East London NHS Foundation Trust; Ilford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Ilford is seeking a motivated pharmacy support staff to assist in medicines management and stock management. The candidate will participate in NVQ2 level training and support ward staff in various dispensing duties. Ideal applicants should have good GCSEs in Maths, English, and Science, and show a willingness to learn new skills. Enjoy a 15% High Cost Area Supplement with this position.

Benefits

High Cost Area Supplement

Training opportunities

Qualifications

• Must complete NVQ2 level pharmacy training.
• Good standard of general education required.
• Willingness to learn and develop skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the Pharmacy Team closely with ward staff.
• Handle stock medication ordering duties.
• Assist in minimizing pharmaceutical waste.

Skills

Stock management

Medicines management

Dispensing duties

Computer literacy

Education

GCSE grades A-C in English, Mathematics, and Double Science

Job description

Overview

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. There are also a number of opportunities and progression pathways to work towards becoming a Pre-Registration Trainee 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/

Our Values 2025 - 2030

We have co-produced 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.

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).

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.

This advert closes on Wednesday 8 Oct 2025