Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant Technical Officer (A&E)

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Sefton; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust based in Southport is seeking a Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant Technical Officer to support the Emergency Department (A&E) and SDEC, ensuring the timely and safe supply of medicines for patients.

The role includes dispensing medicines, managing Omnicell cabinets, supporting 7-day pharmacy service rotas, and collaborating with the A&E team to maintain stock, reduce delays, and optimise patient flow and discharge processes.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a pharmacy environment (hospital/community/prison/primary care).
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent) is essential.
• A recognised dispensing qualification is essential.

Responsibilities

• Undertake dispensing duties, including the dispensing and supply of medicines for patients attending A&E.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of Omnicell cabinets, maintain stock levels and perform date checks.
• Promote reuse of patients' own medicines to support medicines optimisation and cost-effective use of resources.
• Respond to urgent medicine requests and supply queries from clinical staff.
• Ensure medicines accompany patients when transferred from A&E to inpatient wards to reduce delays.

Skills

Pharmacy experience

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Recognised dispensing qualification

Job description

Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant Technical Officer (A\E)

Company:

Company: St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

A Vacancy at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

We are looking for a enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Assistant who is committed to delivering high-quality patient care and have excellent attention to detail. Successful candidates will work as part of a friendly & supportive pharmacy team, contributing to the safe and effective supply of medicines across Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals.

We have oneexciting opportunity available based in ourEmergency Department (A\E) including SDEC which is based at Southport Hospital, supporting the timely supply of medicines and pharmacy services within the Emergency Department.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the delivery of pharmacy services within A\E, helping to ensure the timely and safe supply of medicines to patients. The role will include dispensing medicines to support quick turnaround and discharge, ensuring medicines move with patients as they transfer through the hospital, maintaining appropriate stock levels, and working closely with the pharmacy and A\E teams to support smooth patient flow and the efficient day-to-day running of the department.

Applicants must have experience working within a pharmacy environment, such as hospital, community, prison, or primary care pharmacy. A recognised dispensing qualification and NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent) are essential

The post holders will be expected to participate in weekend, bank holiday, and late duty rotas as part of the department's commitment to providing a 7 day pharmacy service.

• Be based within (A\E), including (SDEC), providing pharmacy support throughout the week.
• Undertake dispensing duties, including the dispensing & supply of medicines for patients attending A\E.
• Ensure medicines supplied to patients accompany them when transferred from A\E to inpatient wards, reducing delays in treatment and preventing unnecessary re-dispensing.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the Omnicell cabinets, ensuring stock levels are maintained, medicines are replenished promptly and date checks are completed in line with departmental procedures.
• Promote the reuse of patients' own medicines where appropriate, supporting medicines optimisation and cost-effective use of resources.
• Respond to urgent medicine requests & supply queries from clinical staff.
• Maintain ward stock levels & support the effective management of medicines within the department.
• Monitor & maintain pre-pack medicine stock levels to support efficient patient care.
• Work closely with the A\E Pharmacist and Technician to support the day-to-day running and development of the service.
• Assist in identifying opportunities to improve processes, enhance the patient experience and increase efficiency within the department.
• Contribute to initiatives aimed at reducing medicine waste and delivering cost savings to the Trust.
• Provide excellent customer service to patients and healthcare professionals, maintaining high standards of accuracy, professionalism & patient safety.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our Services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

For further information please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Interviews will take place on 17th November, 2026

This post will be subject to a enhanced DBS (with barred list for Adults and Children’s disclosure).

Please note this vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications is reached.

This advert closes on Wednesday 4 Nov 2026

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust