Pharmacy Assistant (Procurement)

Chesterfield Royal; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is looking for an assistant to join the pharmacy procurement team, responsible for purchasing medicines for the hospital. The role supports the procurement of over £20 million worth of medicines annually and requires a careful, team‑minded approach to stock control and supplier liaison.

You will handle orders, invoices, and records, with a focus on accuracy, timeliness, and helping ensure continuous supply across wards and departments.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4-9 are required.
• Level 2 QCF/NVQ Pharmacy or equivalent is required.
• Experience with medicines procurement or distribution is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Place routine and ad-hoc pharmacy orders in the procurement system.
• Process invoices and investigate deviations from predicted prices.
• Pursue overdue orders and liaise with manufacturers and suppliers under the Pharmacy Procurement Manager.
• Assist in maintaining records of medicines shortages and stock takes.
• Answer enquiries from wards and departments and support the Pharmacy Procurement Office Manager.

Skills

Good organisational skills

Communication skills

Education

GCSE English (grade 4-9)

GCSE Maths (grade 4-9)

Level 2 QCF/NVQ Pharmacy (or equivalent)

Job description

CRH offers a wide range of exciting and rewarding opportunities for people who are passionate about providing exceptional patient care.With more than 350 different careers on offer there is a job for you no matter what your interests, skills, or qualifications.

Main area Pharmacy Grade NHS AfC: Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 30 hours per week (09:00 - 15:00) Job ref 166-DCSC-8298424

Site Chesterfield Royal Hospital Town Chesterfield Salary £25,272 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 25/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for an assistant to join our pharmacy procurement team responsible for the purchasing of medicines for the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

The procurement team mange the ordering of over £20 million worth of medicines each year, so we are looking for someone with the right skills and attention to detail. We are looking for an excellent team player who is hardworking and enthusiastic to participate in and support the provision of our services.

Main duties of the job

To undertake the safe and efficient procurement of medicines used by the hospital, undertaking a broad range of administrative and technical duties in the pharmacy purchasing office and store.

Working for our organisation

Our Vision is to be a first-class provider of sustainable healthcare services, delivering the best possible care for our patients; and being a great place to work for our people. Our Proud to CARE philosophy supports this vision. As members of staff we will always:

• Show COMPASSION– treating everyone with kindness – welcoming diversity and inclusion, considering individual needs; and challenging inappropriate behaviours outside of our values
• AMBITION– Aspiring to be the best – reaching high standards, providing exceptional care and services; and achieving measurable improvements in people’s health and wellbeing
• RESPECT– Valuing and appreciating everyone – listening, learning and acting on their experiences, being open and honest; and recognising that working with others brings benefits
• ENCOURAGEMENT– Opportunities for all – supporting education and development, helping people to bring their improvement ideas to life and speak‑up; and getting everyone involved in our future

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To undertake the placing of routine and ad‑hoc pharmacy orders, in accordance with the defined daily routine.
• To undertake invoice processing, in accordance with agreed timescales, ensuring that deviations from predicted purchase price are investigated.
• To pursue overdue orders, including liaison with manufacturers and suppliers under the direction of the Pharmacy Procurement manager.
• To assist in maintaining records of medicines shortages
• To participate in planned and ad hoc stock taking activity in the pharmacy store.
• To deal with enquiries and requests from wards and departments liaising with the Pharmacy Procurement Office Manager and Principal Technician as required.
• To assist and advise members of pharmacy staff on matters relating to medicines procurement / availability.
• To assist with general clerical duties, including post, filing, answering the telephone, photocopying, and document management.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

• A-C /or Grade 4-9 in English and Maths
• Level 2 QCF/NVQ Pharmacy (or equivalent)

Experience

• Experience of medicines procurement / distribution
• Previous dispensing experience in a hospital or community dispensary
• Team Working
• Ability to prioritise

Skills and Knowledge

• Good organisational and communication skills

Personal Attributes

• Able to remain calm under pressure
• Evidence of self‑motivation and self direction
• Ability to recognise limits of own knowledge and to refer accordingly
• Caring attitude

Flexible Working

If you're looking for flexible or predictable working arrangements, please speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate this. If it works for our service and patients, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is committed to ensuring the safety of all our staff and patients therefore encourages and supports staff to be vaccinated against COVID19 as this remains the best line of defence against the virus.

UK Points‑based immigration system

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK) are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Please note that from 1 January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self‑assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .

It is vital that you provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Overseas applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead, which is cheaper to apply for and you do not need to pay the annual immigration health surcharge.

Communications

Communications throughout the application process will be via e‑mail therefore please check your e‑mail account and Trac account regularly. References are also requested by email (where possible). Therefore to speed up the recruitment process please provide an email address for all referees when completing your application form.

If you require any support in completing the application form, please do not hesitate to contact the HR Support Services team on 01246 513177 and we will be happy to provide assistance.

Please see the attached documents and links in relation to working for Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. In particular, the general conditions of employment and benefits of working for the trust.

This role is part of the integrated health and social care community across Derbyshire, where there are many opportunities to work across different locations and providers developing new and different skills. Whilst this role is initially based in Chesterfield there may be future opportunities to be based at different locations within the health and social care community which we may talk to you about in the future.

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.

Opening hours:8.30am-5pm, Monday-Friday