Pharmacy Stores / Ward Top up Assistant Technical Officer

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Chester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting for a Pharmacy Stores / Ward Top up Assistant Technical Officer, Band 3, permanent full-time (37.5 hours). The role supports efficient running of Pharmacy Stores, handling ward top ups, stock receipt, checking and stock control across hospital departments.

The post requires accuracy, good IT skills and the ability to work flexibly within a team and with procurement and dispensary colleagues.

Qualifications

• English & Maths GCSE grade C or above or equivalent qualification.
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services.
• Experience in a Pharmacy setting and hospital ward top up/stock control is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Issue, distribute and stock-control of ward top-up medicines across the Trust.
• Receive, unpack and check orders from wholesalers; store according to GDP.
• Participate in stock-control programme, investigate discrepancies and minimise waste.
• Deliver pharmacy stock securely to clinical areas within the Trust.
• Verify ward stock top-up accuracy (strength, formulation, pack size, expiry, quantity).

Skills

Excellent organisational skills

Time management

Education

English & Maths GCSE grade C or above or equivalent qualification

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Tools

Pharmacy robot and computer systems

Job description

Pharmacy Stores / Ward Top up Assistant Technical Officer

Band 3

Main area Pharmacy Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Weekends and Bank holidays allocated on a rota basis) Job ref 210-2026-643

Site Countess of Chester Hospital Town Chester Salary £25,760 - £27,476 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 21/09/2026 23:59

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.

Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation

Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.

As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.

Job overview

Working Full time: 37.5 hours per week

This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the Pharmacy Supply Services team here at the Countess of Chester Hospital as an Assistant Technical Officer. The role involves supporting the efficient running of a busy Pharmacy Stores service and contributing to the delivery of a high-quality pharmaceutical and stock management system within the department and the wider hospital.

The post holder will be expected to have a friendly and approachable attitude, with the ability to work flexibly and both independently and as part of a team. Strong communication skills are essential, along with good computer literacy to support accurate record keeping and stock control processes.

The post holder will work closely with the Procurement, Distribution, and Dispensary teams to ensure the efficient receipt and organisation of goods within the Pharmacy department.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for issuing, distribution and stock-control of Top Up Medicines for Wards and Departments across the Trust.

To receive, unpack and check all orders received into the Pharmacy Stores from wholesalers and other companies; ensure they are stored correctly following the principles of Good Distribution Practice

To participate in the Pharmacy stock-control programme investigating discrepancies, maintaining and rotating stock and ensuring waste is kept to a minimum.

To participate in the secure delivery of pharmacy stock to all clinical areas within the Trust.

To be responsible for accuracy checking of ward stock top up including the drug’s strength, formulation, pack size, expiry date and quantity, in line with departmental procedures, prior to delivery.

Working for our organisation

The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service.Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person specification

Qualifications

• English & Maths GCSE grade C or above or equivalent qualification
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in a Pharmacy setting receiving and issuing medicines.
• Knowledge of medicines
• Experience in Hospital Pharmacy services including ward top up, stock taking, and stock control.
• Knowledge/experience of Pharmacy robot and computer systems

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organisational and time management skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.

The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules

For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.

Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 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.