Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant Technical Officer (A&E)

Mersey And West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Nhs Trust; Southampton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Pharmacy Assistant to join the Emergency Department (A&E) team at Southport Hospital. The role focuses on timely and safe supply of medicines, dispensing to support quick turnaround and discharge, and ensuring medicines accompany patients during transfers.

Applicants should have dispensing qualifications (NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Services or equivalent) and experience in a pharmacy setting.

Qualifications

• Has completed a recognised dispensing qualification.
• NVQ level 2 Pharmacy Services qualification.
• Experience working in a Pharmacy environment with demonstrable understanding of procedures gained through additional role-based training up to NVQ level 3.
• Experience of working with computer systems.
• Good verbal and communication skills both face to face and using telephones.
• Ability to talk to patients, staff and other senior health professionals.
• Ability to concentrate for long periods of time and able to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Be based within A&E, including SDEC, providing pharmacy support throughout the week.
• Undertake dispensing duties and supply of medicines for patients attending A&E.
• Ensure medicines accompany patients during transfers to wards to reduce delays.
• Manage Omnicell cabinets and maintain stock levels and date checks.
• Promote reuse of patients’ own medicines to optimise resources.
• Respond to urgent medicine requests and supply queries from clinical staff.
• Maintain ward stock levels and manage medicines within the department.
• Support day-to-day running and development of the service with the team.

Skills

Attention to detail

Team player

Good communication

Education

Recognised dispensing qualification

NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Services

Tools

CMM/EMIS Pharmacy Computer System

Job description

Job summary

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 and supportive pharmacy team, contributing to the safe and effective supply of medicines across Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals. We have one exciting opportunity available based in our Emergency 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.

Main duties of the job

• Be based within (A&E), including (SDEC), providing pharmacy support throughout the week.


• Undertake dispensing duties, including the dispensing and 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 and supply queries from clinical staff.


• Maintain ward stock levels and support the effective management of medicines within the department.


• Monitor and 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 and patient safety.

About us

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.

Person Specification

Essential

• Has completed a recognised dispensing qualification


• NVQ level 2 Pharmacy services qualification


• Experience working in a Pharmacy environment with demonstrable understanding of procedures gained through additional role-based training up to NVQ level 3


• Experience of working with computer systems


• Good verbal and communication skills both face to face and using telephones


• Ability to talk to patients, staff and other senior health professionals


• Ability to work accurately and efficiently with good attention to detail


• Good administration skills including record-keeping


• Ability to concentrate for long periods of time and able to work under pressure


• Hardworking with a determination to overcome obstacles and understand the importance and context of the role


• Self-motivated team player with the ability to motivate the team performance to achieve objectives


• Supportive of colleagues of all grades


• Ability to participate in the departmental rota for late and weekend working


• We are Kind, Open and Inclusive

Desirable

• Experience in using CMM/EMIS Pharmacy Computer System(s)

Location

Southport Hospital, Town Lane, Kew, Southport, PR8 6PN

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Pay scheme

Agenda for change, Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum, pro rata

Closing date

04 November 2026

Interview date

17 November 2026

Reference number

409-8330284

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check (with barred list for adults and children disclosure). 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

For questions about the job, contact

Claire Richardson, Deputy Chief Pharmacy Technician

[e-mail]

01704704166