Pharmacy Assistant

North Bristol NHS Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Bristol is seeking a motivated individual to join their Distribution team. The role involves performing stock checks, delivering medication across the Trust, and ensuring compliance with procedures. Ideal candidates thrive in a fast-paced environment, exhibiting strong communication and teamwork skills while managing priorities effectively. A positive attitude and attention to detail are essential for success in this role, making it a great opportunity for those looking to contribute to vital healthcare services.

Qualifications

• Able to manage changing priorities in a dynamic hospital environment.
• Follows the department's Standard Operating Procedures.
• Initiative to complete urgent tasks efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Complete stock checks at ward level and order necessary medication.
• Monitor expiry dates of medication using a digital database.
• Deliver medication safely to different areas of the Trust.

Skills

Teamwork

Good communication

Ability to work independently

Positive attitude

Attention to detail

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About the Role

Distribution is a friendly team, and the successful candidate will be supported by the Distribution Supervisors, Inventory Manager, and the Distribution Lead in learning the role, and achieving the required training for progression to the Band 3 post.

Responsibilities

• Complete stock checks at ward level against agreed stock lists, ordering required medication against stock levels defined on our Pharmacy IT system.
• Monitor expiry dates of medication at ward level using the Microsoft Excel digital database.
• Process and pick orders for stock medication from the requesting app against agreed stock lists and stock levels.
• Check requests against our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for ward stock in line with the requirements of Good Distribution Practice (UK GDP) for both NBT and non‑NBT entities.
• Order, put away, and monitor IV Fluids supplied by our offsite fluid warehouse.
• Deliver medication to the required areas across the North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) site using trolleys and cages as required.
• Ensure prompt, safe, and secure transportation of medication to areas of North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), offsite NBT entities, and non‑NBT entities. This includes cold chain products, scheduled orders, and cytotoxic or hazardous substances.
• Communicate efficiently with a wide range of other members of North Bristol NHS Trust, including Pharmacy and ward staff, alongside non‑NBT units. This includes dealing with routine service enquiries from the Pharmacy Distribution inbox and telephone, and escalating when medication is needed urgently.
• Any other duties which may be required by the Director of Pharmacy for the benefit of the service. This may include potentially changing at short notice to help another team within Pharmacy.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be able to work well independently whilst moving around the hospital to complete ward stock replenishments and work well as part of the team, to achieve the daily workload. This often means getting a lot of steps in each day and managing changing priorities in the hospital environment with good communication. The successful candidate must also be able to work within the department's Standard Operating Procedures and other legal frameworks in place to ensure the safe and secure supply of medication, including Wholesale Dealing Authorisation (WDA(h)) and Good Distribution Practice (UK GDP). Sometimes the team is required to support other teams such as Pharmacy Stores when needed.

This role is ideal for candidates with a positive attitude and the ability to work accurately under pressure whilst adapting to the dynamic hospital environment. The successful candidate will need to support the Distribution team as a positive and motivated team player, with an open mind to the development of the Distribution service, including the supply of medication to non‑NBT entities under WDA(h) and in line with Good Distribution Practice. The candidate must also be able to communicate effectively with a range of professionals, both internally and externally. Additionally the individual must use their initiative to complete the most urgent tasks, with an awareness of when to refer to a line manager.

About North Bristol NHS Trust

Working for our organisation – North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12 000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award‑winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialties. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered. North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti‑discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all under‑represented groups.

Information for Applicants

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful. Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance. If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel [phone]. North Bristol NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments. At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT's workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people. Please note that stringent pre‑employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.

EEO Statement

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.