Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant

NHS; North Shields; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in North Shields is seeking a Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant to contribute to a modern pharmacy service by ensuring efficient delivery of medications. Candidates should have NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services and a good standard of literacy and numeracy. The role includes effective communication with healthcare staff and patients regarding their medicines. Opportunities for professional growth and a supportive team environment are offered. Salary ranges from £24,937 to £26,598 per annum pro rata.

Qualifications

• Good standard of literacy and numeracy equivalent to GCSE Grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics.
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services and relevant training/experience.
• Deriving valid driving licence and car ownership for work purposes.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive and modern pharmacy service.
• Undertake activities within pharmacy and at ward level.
• Communicate routine information regarding medicines to patients.

Skills

Good standard of literacy and numeracy

Communication skills

Education

GCSE Grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant

Closing date: 25 January 2026

We are looking for an enthusiastic and determined individual to work 37.5 hours per week to join our progressive team with a national reputation for innovation and development. You will be part of a broad pharmacy team, using your skills for inpatients, outpatients and clinical trials patients.

We are a growing team and there are many exciting opportunities for personal and professional development. Individuals will spend time working outside the department with key stakeholders, including the clinical research team and sponsor representatives.

The post holder may be required to work at other sites within the Trust. Weekend cover will be based at North Tyneside General Hospital to support the 7‑day clinical service to the Specialist Emergency Care Hospital. Opportunities for further development are available within our forward‑thinking service.

Part‑time hours may be considered.

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.

Main duties of the job

Dispensary roles will remain in line with usual working practice. For traditional dispensing assistant roles, you will undertake activities at ward level and within the pharmacy department, contributing to the efficient and effective delivery of medicines to patients (e.g., medicine supply, dispensing medication).

Communicate routine information with other healthcare staff to ensure a safe and effective system of medicine supply. Communicate routine information with patients/carers concerning their medicines, which may include patients with communication difficulties. Must demonstrate the English language proficiency level required for this post.

About us

We manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, in addition to our state‑of‑the‑art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. We also care for people in their homes and provide services from facilities in local communities such as health centres. We give people greater choice and control over their care to help them live independently at home and avoid hospital admission where appropriate. High‑quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do and we strive to ensure every single patient and service user has an exceptional experience with us. We have one of the most extensive patient experience programmes of any trust in England.

Job responsibilities

Contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive and modern pharmacy service by undertaking activities within the pharmacy and at ward level, which contribute to the efficient and effective delivery of medicines to patients (e.g., store‑based activities, ward top‑up services and dispensing medication).

Qualifications

• Good standard of literacy and numeracy equivalent to GCSE Grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services supported by appropriate underpinning knowledge and training, e.g., programmes provided by NPA, Buttercups or other accredited in‑house programmes or a recognised pharmacy dispensing qualification (Boots, NPA) and relevant training/experience.

Other requirements

• It is an essential requirement of the role that the post holder has a valid driving licence and is either a car owner and able to use the car for work purposes.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and, as such, a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pro rata per annum