Pharmacy Assistant - Rotational

NHS; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Pharmacy Assistant to join their team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. This full-time role offers the opportunity to contribute to a high-quality medication supply service while receiving extensive training. The ideal candidate will thrive in a busy environment, possess strong communication skills, and be committed to delivering exceptional patient care. Join a dynamic team that plays a vital role in supporting clinical colleagues and ensuring the availability of medications for patients. If you are looking for a rewarding career in healthcare, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Evidence of achievement at CSE or GCSE in Mathematics and English.
• Experience of working in a stores/warehouse environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide an efficient and accurate pharmaceutical service.
• Ensure timely delivery of medicines to wards and departments.
• Participate in the assembly and replenishment of medicines.

Skills

Good communication skills

Ability to work accurately

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Basic computer skills

Education

CSE or GCSE in Mathematics and English

NVQ Level 2 in pharmacy services

Tools

Stock control systems

Automated dispensing systems

Job description

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a Pharmacy Assistant who will work full time (37.5hrs), mainly based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, to assist in the provision of a first class medication supply service within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust and to support our clinical colleagues in the treatment of our patients.

Presently the Pharmacy Stores team operates fully from Monday to Friday and provides a reduced provision on Saturdays and Sundays. The successful applicant will participate on a rostered basis in providing this additional service and it is our intention to review and extend this provision across all days of the week in the near future.

As a Pharmacy Assistant you will initially be working predominantly in the Pharmacy Stores at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and will receive extensive training & support from the rest of the Stores team.

• Interview date: Wednesday 4 June 2025
• 37 hours 30 minutes/week
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be involved in the receipt of medication into the Trust in an environment which can be both noisy and hectic ensuring a high level of accuracy at all times. You will also be working as part of a Team to provide a delivery service to the wards ensuring medication is delivered from Stores & Dispensaries in a timely manner. Precise assessment and recording of information is imperative to ensure that correct items are received and put into stock within the Stores environment.

As your confidence and knowledge grows you will transition into roles throughout the wider hospital environment.

When working within the departments and wards of the Trust the successful applicant will facilitate in ensuring that the right medications are available when required by other member of the healthcare team and also contributing to an effective top-up service

In our new recruit we are looking for an individual who is committed to delivering a high quality service to our patients and whose personal attributes include: the ability to work accurately in a very busy environment, good communication skills, a professional manner, a flexible team approach and the ability to adapt to and engage in change.

If you thrive in a busy environment and are seeking new development opportunities this could be the role for you.

About us

Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:

o Freeman Hospital

o Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)

o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)

o Newcastle Dental Hospital

o Newcastle Fertility Centre

o Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria

o Northern Genetics Service

o Cramlington Manor Walks

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Date posted

02 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

317-2025-18-30-DR

Job locations

Royal Victoria Infirmary

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 4LP

Job description Job responsibilities

• To provide an efficient, accurate and high quality pharmaceutical service from the Dispensary and Pharmacy Stores through the receipt, storage and distribution of medicines
• To ensure both during and outside of department opening hours, the timely and secure delivery of medicines, including IV fluids, dietary products, prescription packages and controlled drugs from the stores and dispensary to wards and departments within the trust using manual and electric trolleys.
• To participate in the timely assembly of medicines in both the stores and dispensary
• To assist in the ordering and receipt of medical and industrial gases.
• To order and replenish stock supplies for wards and departments throughout the trust through the top-up process.
• To carry out the replenishment of drugs in cardiac and anaphylaxis emergency drug boxes
• To replenish, cycle count, adjust and monitor stock within Omnicell automated drug cabinets on wards and departments within the trust.
• To monitor the automated filling of ward boxes with medicines output from the pharmacy robot.
• To participate in late duty, bank holiday and weekend working on a rotational basis.
• Contribute to the disposal of certain types of waste (e.g., cytotoxic, cytostatic and clinical waste).
• To assist with the locking up of the Pharmacy Stores on a rotational basis.
• The overriding purpose of this role is to support the provision of the highest quality patient care through personal actions and continuous improvement.

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Job description Job responsibilities

• To provide an efficient, accurate and high quality pharmaceutical service from the Dispensary and Pharmacy Stores through the receipt, storage and distribution of medicines
• To ensure both during and outside of department opening hours, the timely and secure delivery of medicines, including IV fluids, dietary products, prescription packages and controlled drugs from the stores and dispensary to wards and departments within the trust using manual and electric trolleys.
• To participate in the timely assembly of medicines in both the stores and dispensary
• To assist in the ordering and receipt of medical and industrial gases.
• To order and replenish stock supplies for wards and departments throughout the trust through the top-up process.
• To carry out the replenishment of drugs in cardiac and anaphylaxis emergency drug boxes
• To replenish, cycle count, adjust and monitor stock within Omnicell automated drug cabinets on wards and departments within the trust.
• To monitor the automated filling of ward boxes with medicines output from the pharmacy robot.
• To participate in late duty, bank holiday and weekend working on a rotational basis.
• Contribute to the disposal of certain types of waste (e.g., cytotoxic, cytostatic and clinical waste).
• To assist with the locking up of the Pharmacy Stores on a rotational basis.
• The overriding purpose of this role is to support the provision of the highest quality patient care through personal actions and continuous improvement.

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Person Specification Qualifications & Education Essential

• Evidence of achievement at CSE or GCSE in Mathematics and English at Grade A*-E (or New GCSE Grades 9-2)

Desirable

• NVQ 2 in pharmacy services and the approved underpinning knowledge

Knowledge & Experience Essential

• Experience of stock control systems
• Experience of working in a stores/warehouse environment, receiving, storing, assembling and delivering goods
• Demonstrate good oral / written communication

Desirable

• Knowledge of Pharmacy stock control systems
• Knowledge of hospital and Pharmacy policies and procedures
• Knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations/pack sizes
• Experience of monitoring and maintaining stock
• Knowledge of automated dispensing systems
• Experience in a similar post
• Demonstrate an understanding of standard operating procedures and their relevance in the workplace

Skills & Abilities Essential

• Ability to prioritise own work to meet service requirements
• Good organisational skills with an ability to maintain a disciplined approach to work
• Be able to work as part of a team
• Be able to adapt and respond promptly to changing circumstances
• Be able to work under pressure
• Be able to maintain a high level of accuracy in a busy environment
• Be able to maintain high levels of concentration for lengthy periods of time
• Basic computer skills

Person Specification Qualifications & Education Essential

• Evidence of achievement at CSE or GCSE in Mathematics and English at Grade A*-E (or New GCSE Grades 9-2)

Desirable

• NVQ 2 in pharmacy services and the approved underpinning knowledge

Knowledge & Experience Essential

• Experience of stock control systems
• Experience of working in a stores/warehouse environment, receiving, storing, assembling and delivering goods
• Demonstrate good oral / written communication

Desirable

• Knowledge of Pharmacy stock control systems
• Knowledge of hospital and Pharmacy policies and procedures
• Knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations/pack sizes
• Experience of monitoring and maintaining stock
• Knowledge of automated dispensing systems
• Experience in a similar post
• Demonstrate an understanding of standard operating procedures and their relevance in the workplace

Skills & Abilities Essential

• Ability to prioritise own work to meet service requirements
• Good organisational skills with an ability to maintain a disciplined approach to work
• Be able to work as part of a team
• Be able to adapt and respond promptly to changing circumstances
• Be able to work under pressure
• Be able to maintain a high level of accuracy in a busy environment
• Be able to maintain high levels of concentration for lengthy periods of time
• Basic computer skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Victoria Infirmary

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 4LP

Employer's website

https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Victoria Infirmary

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 4LP

Employer's website

https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)