Pharmacy Assistant

NHS; North East; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a motivated pharmacy assistant to join their team at the University Hospital of North Durham. The role emphasizes delivering high-quality dispensing services, managing stock control, and ensuring the needs of various wards are met efficiently. This position offers a permanent contract with full-time and part-time options available.

Qualifications

• Experience of dealing with the public.
• Experience of working in a team.

Responsibilities

• Dispensing and supply service.
• Managing stock control and purchase of medicines.
• Participating in the ward stock top up.

Skills

Good computer skills

Organised and methodical

Good oral and written communication skills

Education

GCSE English and Maths (Grade C and above)

Accredited Level 2 Qualification in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Job summary

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of around 600,000 people. We are a high performing organisation with a track record of success.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated pharmacy assistant to join the CDDFT Pharmacy Team and participate in the provision of a comprehensive pharmaceutical service.

We have a post based at the University Hospital of North Durham primarily with an emphasis on the technical aspects of dispensing and supply of medicines with elements of the technical aspects of goods receipt, storage and distribution of medicines

All posts have a responsibility for ward and department top up supply and there may be a necessity to cross cover between areas after appropriate training

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for delivering a high quality dispensing and supply service

The post holder will undertake a range of activities including dispensing, stock control, purchase and storage of medicines and participate in the ward stock top up service to allocated wards ensuring that the requirements of the ward are met at all times

The post holder will rotate through the dispensary and pharmacy stores areas, where appropriate.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)

Details Date posted

18 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0352

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW

Job description Job responsibilities

The post-holder must ensure that all duties are performed following SOPs and include:

Prescription process/issue and receipt

undertake reception duties including the receipt, validation and prioritisation of prescriptions and the issuing of prescriptions to wards/departments or other health care professionals

check the exemption status of the patient on receipt of an out-patient prescription and where appropriate, calculate the prescription charge due and ensure that documentation is completed and passed to finance for payment according to Trust SFIs

enter the patients details on the prescription tracking database, where applicable

take responsibility for the dispensing and issue of all prescriptions within their knowledge and skills including oral cytotoxic regimes, clinical trials, in-patient and out-patient prescriptions using the pharmacy computer system, ensuring that accurate documentation and records are maintained to comply with legal requirements

develop their own robust self-checking technique to ensure accurate dispensing and calculation of doses are carried out prior to passing for a final check to ensure the accuracy of temporary stock items supplied directly to wards and departments

ensure the accuracy of temporary non stock items supplied directly to wards and departments

Controlled Drugs

Dispense controlled drug prescriptions and stock orders

ensure accurate entries are recorded in controlled drug registers to maintain stock control and legal requirements

ensure the receipt, storage, safe and secure handling and supply of controlled drugs

Emergency Drug Cupboard/ Boxes

Monitor issues from the out of hours Emergency Drug Cupboard daily and ensure stock is replaced

check expiry dates once a month and ensure stock is ordered in advance to maintain availability

inform the lead Technician of any discrepancies

assist in the assembly and issue of emergency boxes, ensuring accurate records are maintained

Ward Supply

provide an individual stock replenishment service (top-up) to designated wards and departments to ensure that good stock control is maintained at all times. This will include the checking of expiry dates of ward stock and ensuring that wards and departments have a sufficient stock of medicines

liaise with the pharmacy team to ensure that stock levels are set at the correct level

accurately assemble ward top-up orders and book out ward supplies using the pharmacy computer system

process returned stock from wards and departments

communicate with the appropriate person regarding any supply problems.

Stock Control

Ensure that dispensing areas are adequately stocked

order out of stock medication process to follow items

ensure the receipt, storage, safe and secure handling and supply of pharmaceutical products is undertaken

ensure that any problems upon receipt of goods are forwarded promptly to the procurement team to enable any discrepancies are dealt with in a timely manner (including return to suppliers, damaged and short dated stock)

ensure that all nutritional products are booked out and supplied to requesting wards on a daily basis

ensure that all working practices comply with Good Distribution Practice (GDP)

ensure that all goods received are accurately booked onto the pharmacy computer system and put away appropriately

assemble the ward top up orders and book out ward supplies using the pharmacy computer system

maintain the intravenous fluid storage area ensuring good stock rotation is carried out

ensure that all ambient and refrigerated temperatures are recorded on a daily basis in all areas within pharmacy and to ensure logs are downloaded weekly

handle and dispose of waste or expired medicines correctly

participate in regular stock checks and expiry checks within the department

ensure stock is rotated correctly whilst putting dispensary stock away

check expiry dates on a regular basis. Book out expired stock from the computer system and highlight items that are close to their expiry date

ensure stock is booked out to the correct patient, consultant and ward to aid accurate financial reporting through the pharmacy computer system and that stock levels are correct and sufficient

highlight stock discrepancies to the Lead Pharmacy Technician

The Pharmacy Department is also looking for staff who would be interested in joining the Trust bank to work with us on an adhoc basis. If you would like to be considered for bank work please contact us using the details above

Job description Job responsibilities

The post-holder must ensure that all duties are performed following SOPs and include:

Prescription process/issue and receipt

undertake reception duties including the receipt, validation and prioritisation of prescriptions and the issuing of prescriptions to wards/departments or other health care professionals

check the exemption status of the patient on receipt of an out-patient prescription and where appropriate, calculate the prescription charge due and ensure that documentation is completed and passed to finance for payment according to Trust SFIs

enter the patients details on the prescription tracking database, where applicable

take responsibility for the dispensing and issue of all prescriptions within their knowledge and skills including oral cytotoxic regimes, clinical trials, in-patient and out-patient prescriptions using the pharmacy computer system, ensuring that accurate documentation and records are maintained to comply with legal requirements

develop their own robust self-checking technique to ensure accurate dispensing and calculation of doses are carried out prior to passing for a final check to ensure the accuracy of temporary stock items supplied directly to wards and departments

ensure the accuracy of temporary non stock items supplied directly to wards and departments

Controlled Drugs

Dispense controlled drug prescriptions and stock orders

ensure accurate entries are recorded in controlled drug registers to maintain stock control and legal requirements

ensure the receipt, storage, safe and secure handling and supply of controlled drugs

Emergency Drug Cupboard/ Boxes

Monitor issues from the out of hours Emergency Drug Cupboard daily and ensure stock is replaced

check expiry dates once a month and ensure stock is ordered in advance to maintain availability

inform the lead Technician of any discrepancies

assist in the assembly and issue of emergency boxes, ensuring accurate records are maintained

Ward Supply

provide an individual stock replenishment service (top-up) to designated wards and departments to ensure that good stock control is maintained at all times. This will include the checking of expiry dates of ward stock and ensuring that wards and departments have a sufficient stock of medicines

liaise with the pharmacy team to ensure that stock levels are set at the correct level

accurately assemble ward top-up orders and book out ward supplies using the pharmacy computer system

process returned stock from wards and departments

communicate with the appropriate person regarding any supply problems.

Stock Control

Ensure that dispensing areas are adequately stocked

order out of stock medication process to follow items

ensure the receipt, storage, safe and secure handling and supply of pharmaceutical products is undertaken

ensure that any problems upon receipt of goods are forwarded promptly to the procurement team to enable any discrepancies are dealt with in a timely manner (including return to suppliers, damaged and short dated stock)

ensure that all nutritional products are booked out and supplied to requesting wards on a daily basis

ensure that all working practices comply with Good Distribution Practice (GDP)

ensure that all goods received are accurately booked onto the pharmacy computer system and put away appropriately

assemble the ward top up orders and book out ward supplies using the pharmacy computer system

maintain the intravenous fluid storage area ensuring good stock rotation is carried out

ensure that all ambient and refrigerated temperatures are recorded on a daily basis in all areas within pharmacy and to ensure logs are downloaded weekly

handle and dispose of waste or expired medicines correctly

participate in regular stock checks and expiry checks within the department

ensure stock is rotated correctly whilst putting dispensary stock away

check expiry dates on a regular basis. Book out expired stock from the computer system and highlight items that are close to their expiry date

ensure stock is booked out to the correct patient, consultant and ward to aid accurate financial reporting through the pharmacy computer system and that stock levels are correct and sufficient

highlight stock discrepancies to the Lead Pharmacy Technician

The Pharmacy Department is also looking for staff who would be interested in joining the Trust bank to work with us on an adhoc basis. If you would like to be considered for bank work please contact us using the details above

Person Specification Special Skills & Knowledge Essential

• Good computer and keyboard skills Organised, methodical and accurate approach to tasks and able to demonstrate this approach in a busy environment
• Excellent skills for dealing with people
• Good time keeping and ability to work under pressure. Good oral and written communication skills Evidence of personal development

Desirable

• Basic understanding of stock control.
• Demonstrate an interest in learning about drugs and their uses and hospital pharmacy work

Experience Essential

• Experience of dealing with the public
• Experience of working in a team

Desirable

• Working knowledge of live pharmacy stock control systems (including robotic systems)
• Previous experience of working in a dispensing environment in either a hospital or retail setting or of working in a hospital pharmacy store

Qualifications Essential

• GCSE English and Maths (Grade C and above) (or equivalent)

Desirable

• Commitment to CPD
• IT qualification
• Science qualification
• Accredited Level 2 Qualification in Pharmacy Services, or equivalent experience

Person Specification Special Skills & Knowledge Essential

• Good computer and keyboard skills Organised, methodical and accurate approach to tasks and able to demonstrate this approach in a busy environment
• Excellent skills for dealing with people
• Good time keeping and ability to work under pressure. Good oral and written communication skills Evidence of personal development

Desirable

• Basic understanding of stock control.
• Demonstrate an interest in learning about drugs and their uses and hospital pharmacy work

Experience Essential

• Experience of dealing with the public
• Experience of working in a team

Desirable

• Working knowledge of live pharmacy stock control systems (including robotic systems)
• Previous experience of working in a dispensing environment in either a hospital or retail setting or of working in a hospital pharmacy store

Qualifications Essential

• GCSE English and Maths (Grade C and above) (or equivalent)

Desirable

• Commitment to CPD
• IT qualification
• Science qualification
• Accredited Level 2 Qualification in Pharmacy Services, or equivalent experience

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

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW

Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)