pharmacy assistants

EAST LANCASHIRE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in England is seeking Pharmacy Assistants to join their dynamic department. The role involves maintaining accurate stock levels, dispensing medicines supported by a robot, and replenishing stock in hospital wards. Candidates must have four GCSEs including English or Maths at Level 4, and NVQ 2 in Pharmacy Services is essential. Excellent teamwork skills and a commitment to following procedures are required. This full-time position offers comprehensive training and opportunities for further education.

Qualifications

• Four GCSEs at Level 4 or above, or equivalent, and NVQ 2 in Pharmacy Services are essential.
• Prior pharmacy experience is desirable but not essential.
• Ability to work in a team and follow strict procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining accurate stock levels of medicines and consumables.
• Dispensing a wide range of medicines supported by a dispensing robot.
• Visiting wards to replenish stock, including large quantities of IV fluids.

Skills

Ability to follow procedures

Flexibility to work late-night shifts

Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines

Education

Four GCSEs including English or Maths at Level 4 or above

NVQ 2 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Overview

Pharmacy Assistants cover a range of tasks to ensure we meet the needs of the hospital sites. Training will be provided in each of the various rotational areas of the hospital pharmacy including dispensary, stock distribution and aseptic services. The successful candidates will be enrolled on a distance learning program to complete an NVQ level 2, with the support of our training lead and on‑site assessors if they don't already hold this necessary qualification.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining accurate stock levels of medicines and consumables
• Picking and packing medicines for wards, which includes heavy lifting and bending
• Visiting wards to replenish stock, including large quantities of IV fluids
• Inputting orders into the computer systems
• Storing stock in line with stock rotation
• Working on reception, dealing with members of the public and clinical staff, taking in prescriptions and directing telephone calls
• Dispensing a wide range of medicines supported by a dispensing robot
• Processing and disposing of medicinal waste
• Working in state‑of‑the‑art clean rooms assisting in the production of IV medicines and chemotherapy, cleaning and general environmental monitoring

A rota is in place to cover weekends and Bank Holidays; you will also be expected to participate in the late‑night rota which involves working until 19:00 on occasion to cover the regular team. Core hours of the service run from 08:00 to 17:30, with staff working 7.5 hours within these hours; longer shifts may be possible. All working patterns can be discussed at interview.

Qualifications

• Four GCSEs including English or Maths at Level 4 or above, or equivalent, and NVQ 2 in Pharmacy Services (essential)
• Ability to follow procedures (essential)
• Pharmacy experience (desirable)
• Stock management experience (desirable)
• Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines (desirable)
• Flexibility to work late‑night shifts, weekends and Bank Holidays on a rota basis (desirable)

Additional Information

We are looking for motivated and hardworking individuals to join our busy and friendly department. Whilst previous pharmacy experience is desirable, it is not essential. We are committed to giving our team opportunities to develop, and many of our pharmacy assistants have gone on to further education, supported by the department to qualify as Pharmacy Technicians. If you are looking for a new challenge, please let us know via your application how you can meet the person specification of the role.

The Trust is an equal‑opportunity employer and welcomes applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our BAME communities.

Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS): If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity, any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check. Candidates may pay the DBS fee in instalments. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking.

Salary advertised is for full‑time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro‑rata. The vacancy may close before the closing date if sufficient applications are received.