Pharmacy Stores Assistant

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Luton; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Luton is seeking a Pharmacy Stores Assistant to manage and distribute medicines efficiently within their pharmacy team. This dynamic role offers entry into the pharmacy profession with opportunities for training and advancement. Candidates should hold a relevant NVQ qualification and demonstrate a commitment to service improvement. The position involves patient care and requires adherence to established procedures and processes.

Qualifications

• Completion of relevant NVQ certificate in pharmacy service skills or pharmaceutical science.
• Willingness to undergo additional training.
• Commitment to professional development.

Responsibilities

• Receive medicines and separate as required.
• Participate in stock maintenance and ordering for wards.
• Maintain cleanliness and tidiness of the department.
• Assist in service development and new processes.

Skills

Medicine handling

Stock management

Attention to detail

Education

Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills

Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science

Job description

Overview

Are you ready to kickstart a varied and dynamic role that puts patient care at its core? Our Pharmacy Stores Assistant position offers an exciting entry point into the world of pharmacy, with clear progression opportunities that can open doors to new and rewarding career paths. As a vital member of our modern, fast‑paced pharmacy team, you’ll work across both the automated dispensary and ward levels, ensuring patients receive the best pharmaceutical care possible. Your role will be key in supporting nursing staff and patients by managing and distributing medicines efficiently and safely.

Responsibilities

• Receive medicines into stock from wholesalers, separating CDs, unlicensed IV fluids, and cold storage products.
• Participate in the ward and department top‑up service, ordering and maintaining stock for wards, theatres, and clinic areas against agreed stock lists.
• Remove waste medicines to the Pharmacy disposal area and dispose of them safely in line with departmental procedures.
• Operate the Automated Dispensing Robot to supply pharmaceutical stock via ward box picking and to load newly received stock into it.
• Replenish automated dispensing robots and prepare ward medicine boxes.
• Stock shelves in the Pharmacy department, ensuring that stock is kept in the correct place, used in rotation, and kept tidy.
• Monitor temperatures of areas that hold pharmaceutical stock and raise any deviations with the Principal Stores and Distribution Technician.
• Maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of the department.
• Assist the Principal Stores and Distribution Technician with service development and the implementation of new processes.
• Liaise with ward pharmacists and ward technicts so that they are aware of stock problems which may lead to temporary alternatives being issued.
• Deal with any queries or problems concerning ward stocks and pharmacy stocks as and when they arise.
• Participate fully in the individual performance review and objective setting process of the Trust.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as they relate to the job role.
• Take part in the weekend working rota.
• Support the procurement team with drug shortages when stock is held at ward level.
• Update and maintain ward and department stock lists with support from the Principal Technician and ward pharmacist.
• Dispense liquid nitrogen to wards and departments on completion of training and competency logs.
• Be responsible for the destruction of drug waste in accordance with COSHH guidelines and department procedures.
• Complete the Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills (QCF) and/or Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science.
• Assist with induction training of new staff.

Qualifications & Development

• Completion of the Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills or Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science.
• Willingness to undergo additional training, including competency logs for liquid nitrogen dispensing.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and service improvement within the trust.