Clinical Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

Transformation Unit; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust in Ashford, Kent, is seeking a Clinical Pharmacy Assistant to join the William Harvey Hospital pharmacy team. You will manage ward stock, operate Automated Dispensing Cabinets, and support medicines governance to ensure patients receive medicines when they need them.

The role offers development opportunities with a pathway to senior pharmacy roles and requires GCSEs, NVQ 2 in Pharmacy Services, and POD checking accreditation, plus

Qualifications

• GCSEs grade C or above in English, Mathematics and Science or equivalent.
• NVQ 2 level in Pharmacy Services or equivalent.
• Completion of Patients Own Drugs checking accreditation.

Responsibilities

• To support and participate in the ward based top-up service locally and to satellite units as required.
• To support the review of ward stock lists on a regular basis.
• To participate in routine checks of stock, expiry date monitoring and SOPs.
• To participate in daily stock checks and expiry date checks and handle expired stocks as per procedures.
• Complete medication returns to Trustwide stores and re-stock appropriately.
• Liaise with procurement and feedback supply issues to Pharmacist/Technician.
• Ensure Automated Dispensing Cabinets stock levels are correct and re-stock daily.
• Assemble cardiac arrest cases and restock Emergency Drug Cupboard daily.
• Support transfer of medicines to wards and monitor fridge temperatures.

Skills

Customer service experience

Attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Education

GCSEs English/Math/Science (grade C+)

NVQ 2 in Pharmacy Services

POD checking accreditation

Job description

Main area Clinical Support Services (Pharmacy) Grade Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (including weekends and bank holidays) Job ref 344-7416DCB

Employer East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site William Harvey Hospital Town Ashford Salary £25,272 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 29/10/2026 23:59 Interview date 15/12/2026

Clinical Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

Band 2

Job overview

We are looking for passionate and ambitious pharmacy assistants to join our friendly and enthusiastic team at the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, Kent.

As a Clinical Pharmacy Assistant, you will work within a friendly and supportive clinical team to ensure wards have the medications they need when they need them. You will complete ward-based stock checks, manage and replenish Automated Dispensing Cabinets , ensure medicines are in date and stored safely, and review stock levels. You will also support medicines governance by carrying out audits and helping ensure safe storage of medicines on wards. You will be responsible for a designated group of wards, managing stock shortages to ensure patients receive the medicines they require. The role offers opportunities for development, including progression into more senior roles and pathways to become a registered pharmacy professional.

Main duties of the job

To support and participate in the ward based top-up service locally and to satellite units as required. Including offsite at Pilgrims Hospice.

To support the review of ward stock lists on a regular basis.

T o participate in routine checks of stock levels within the pharmacy, including expiry date monitoring, following written protocols.

To participate in the daily stock check and regular expiry date checks and to deal with expired stocks according to the standard operating procedures.

Complete any Medication returns to Trustwide stores or dispensary and put away in appropriate places.

Liaise with procurement team and feedback any supply issues to Pharmacist/ Technician for the ward team

Ensure stock levels are correct in Automated Dispensing Cabinets

To re-order medications needed for Automated Dispensing Cabinets and to re stock them daily

Ensure cardiac arrest cases are assembled as needed.

Ensure Emergency Drug Cupboard is re stocked daily

To support the clinical team in the supply of stock and non-stock drugs to the wards.

To support the transfer medicines to the appropriate ward/area.

To ensure fridge and drug storage room temperatures are monitored and recorded and elevate to ward manager where this is not being done.

Working for our organisation

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates for a Skilled Worker Visa for roles that are eligible at the time of application.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents'.

Person specification

Qualifications and training

• GCSEs grade C or above or equivalent in English, Mathematics and Science or equivalent
• NVQ 2 level in Pharmacy Services or equivalent
• Completion of Patients Own Drugs checking accreditation

Clinical skills and experience

• Previous experience in a customer facing role

Governance

• Understanding of audits and audit cycles
• Understanding of following standard operating procedures

Personal/professional attributes

• Ability to demonstrate good attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise tasks appropriately and delegate tasks to meet deadlines
• Flexible team worker to meet the needs of the service
• Ability to work without supervision
• Able to work under pressure

Other requirements

• Demonstrates Trust Values

There are lots of great opportunities at East Kent Hospitals, where staff are caring and put patients first, innovation flourishes and you can develop your career. We’re on an exciting journey of transformation. With a local Medical School at the centre of our community, a focus on research, clinical leadership and making our trust a rewarding and friendly place to work,
there’s never been a better time to join us. To find out more about east Kent visit our website . The Trust fully supports the SAS Doctors Charter and is committed to their development through its CPD Framework.

We have a relocation policy for eligible candidates, parking available at Trust sites but we encourage other options, like car sharing or public transport.

The Trust is committed to supporting flexible working to fulfil our pledge as part of The Trust’s People Strategy to help staff to achieve a healthy work/life balance. Please speak with your Recruiting Manager for further information on how this can be managed alongside department expectations and requirements.

The ability to converse easily and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for all customer facing roles.

Most positions require a Disclosure and Barring check and will be exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Posts working regularly or unsupervised with children or vulnerable adults require an enhanced check.

Applicants for eligible roles requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship must meet UK Visas and Immigration eligibility criteria.

We operate a no-smoking policy on all our sites and grounds.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

To help us manage recruitment effectively, we use an application limit and we will close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications and the limit is met. If you are interested in joining us, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.