Assistant Technical Officer, Dispensary Support

UHCW; Coventry; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is seeking an Assistant Technical Officer, Dispensary Support (Band 4), to contribute to a high quality, Trustwide pharmacy distribution service across wards, theatres and departments.

The role involves supervising pharmacy technicians and assistants, developing and evaluating dispensary services, ensuring timely processing of inpatient orders, handling stock and recalls, and supporting training and education within the team.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent, with good English.
• Experience with pharmacy dispensing and store processes.
• Ability to supervise and train staff within a hospital setting.

Responsibilities

• Monitor workload and manage pharmacy technicians and assistants to respond to demands.
• Support design, implementation and evaluation of new dispensary services.
• Ensure timely processing of inpatient orders and escalation as needed.
• Monitor turnaround times using the Trust tracking system.
• Assist in investigations of stock discrepancies and recalls.

Skills

Staff management

Pharmacy operations

Dispensing processes

Quality control

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills

GCSEs Maths and English

Tools

CMM Dispensing system

Job description

Assistant Technical Officer, Dispensary Support

NHS AfC: Band 4

Main area Pharmacy Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Permanent: Lates, weekends and bank holidays Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (You will also work some Bank holidays lates and weekends) Job ref 218-AC-B4-8378130

Site University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Town Coventry Salary £28,392 - £31,157 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 03/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

To contribute to the delivery and development of a high quality, comprehensive Trustwide pharmacy distribution service that is reliable, efficient and effective in meeting the needs of all wards, theatres and departments.

Please be advised that sponsorship is not eligible for this post.

Main duties of the job

• To effectively monitor workload and manage pharmacy technicians and assistants to respond to demands as required.
• To contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of new and improved pharmacy dispensary services.
• To support the workflow within the Dispensary, ensuring work is processed to required deadlines and urgent requests are dealt with promptly. To make appropriate escalations to the Duty Technician if workload reaches designated escalation points.
• Monitor turnaround times and workload status using in-house tracking system.
• To assist the Duty Technician in the investigation of complaints in accordance with the Trust policies and participate in any corrective action required.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To identify training gaps and work alongside the Training and Education and Pharmacy Operations team to ensure that all pharmacy staff within the dispensary are appropriately trained in all aspects of the service.
• To support the Education and Training team in ensuring that pharmacy dispensary staff receive a comprehensive local induction and updates in all areas of the service.
• To support the investigation of stock discrepancies liaising with the Operations Team, Medicines Management and Ward Stock Supply Co-ordinator and Procurement Team, assisting in any corrective action if necessary.
• To assist in all activities associated with product recalls ensuring stock is removed promptly from all wards, theatres and departments if necessary.
• Assist in regularly reviewing errors occurring within the department, with the aim of identifying actions to reduce risk and learning.
• Participate and encourage others to ensure good housekeeping is maintained, including supporting the dispensary reception team.
• Maintain a safe environment at all times.
• Ensure records of work (inpatient orders etc.) are maintained and accurately filed.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Person specification

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills - or equivalent (or grand parented with the RPSGB) Literate with a good standard of written and spoken English Numerate
• GCSEs Maths and English or equivalent Experience of using CMM Dispensing computer system

Experience

• Significant experience of working in hospital pharmacy, including experience at band 3 assistant level. Proven experience of managing staff. Experience of working in a busy environment Stock control experience Experience of liaising with members of pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals to ensure that ward stock levels are maintained at a safe and appropriate level Experience of working in a customer facing role To be able to handle safely and competently pharmaceutical equipment and medicines used in the dispensing process
• Experience of dispensing in a pharmacy Experience of staff training

Knowledge

• Health and safety at work and manual handling An understanding of the role of the pharmacy department in a hospital An understanding of confidentiality A basic understanding of the dispensing process To have specialist knowledge of stores and distribution systems To have specialist knowledge of ward stock control To have specialist knowledge of optimal/productive wards

Skills

• Good verbal and written, communication skills Ability to work to set procedures Able to work under pressure and maintain concentration for long periods Able to plan and manage the work performance of technical and support staff working in stores and distribution areas according to departmental priorities. Able to act independently, referring to line manager when needed. Able to set priorities, meet deadlines and manage own time effectively. Be able to give explanation and reassurance to other healthcare professionals in regard to distribution services Day to day management of staff Current IT skills

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Evidence of demonstrating the Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect) and the associated Values in Action behaviours in the workplace. For posts with managerial responsibility only Evidence of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and ensuring fair and equitable practices throughout your work experience. Evidence of promoting a culture which helps individuals live behaviours aligned to our Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect)

To ensure that we provide world-class patient care, UHCW recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and Behaviours which can be accessed on the right side of this page under the job description.
The Supporting Information Section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated Behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.

The Trust is committed to Equal Opportunities within the workplace. All vacancies will be considered for Job Share unless otherwise stated. All applicants who have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be interviewed. Where a post has an overwhelming response, this Trust may use random selection in order to reduce numbers to interview, any disabled applicants will automatically be guaranteed an interview and will be exempt from this process.

In submitting an application form, you authorise University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust to confirm from your previous or current NHS employer and other prior employers; previous NHS service details and personal data held about you, including Occupational Health data (inoculations and screening tests). This data will be transferred using NHS Electronic Staff Record and third-party systems via an automated process and only used for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining accurate employment records, should you be appointed to the post.

UHCW NHS Trust, by virtue of its Green Plan, is committed to ensuring that the way we provide services minimises the impact on the environment and the future health of the public e.g. zero waste to landfill, reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our recycling and reuse percentages.

If you are successful at interview you will receive a conditional offer of employment and we’ll ask you for information so that we can carry out pre-employment checks. You must successfully complete all pre-employment checks to progress to a final unconditional offer.

We must confirm the identity of our staff and their right to work in the United Kingdom. We will ask you to submit proof of your identity and right to work documents via a secure digital platform approved by the Home Office, named TrustID. Alternatively, you may be asked to attend our office with original documents.

Depending on you level of exposure with patients you may be required to undertake a Standard or Enhanced DBS. The cost of this check will be charged to you and will be deducted from your salary over the first 3 months of employment at the current rate.

All correspondence will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk/SPAM folders

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.