Senior ATO – Stores & Distribution

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust; Stafford; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is seeking a Senior Assistant Technical Officer for Stores and Distribution in the Pharmacy Directorate. The role is Band 3, 37.5 hours per week, based at County Hospital, Stafford, you will coordinate ward orders, stock requisitions and support staff in delivering medicines efficiently.

You will lead in processing orders, liaise with wards and external customers, and contribute to continuous service improvement while working unsupervised to

Qualifications

• 4 GCSEs or equivalent – must include Maths and English at grade 4 or above – and BTEC Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services or be working towards.
• 4 GCSEs or equivalent – must include Maths and English at grade 4 or above plus an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent, in an area relevant to the role and willing to work towards BTEC Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services

Responsibilities

• Support the supply of medicines, liaising with wards and departments and external customers.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to support timely supply of medicines and processing of orders.
• Lead and supervise other team members, prioritising and allocating work and ensuring rotas are followed.
• Compile rotas with Lead Technician; maintain high standards of work and attention to detail.
• Liaise with clinical teams, ward staff and external customers to resolve queries and ensure timely delivery of medicines.
• Coordinate and support training of staff within the Pharmacy team.

Skills

Co‑ordinating people & workflow

Problem solving

Good organisational skills

Experience communicating with patients

IT skills

Education

GCSEs Maths & English 4+

NVQ Level 2 / BTEC Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services

Tools

Pharmacy computer systems

Job description

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Senior ATO – Stores & Distribution

The closing date is 18 October 2026

At present, University Hospitals of North Midlands is unable to offer visa sponsorship for Band 2 to Band 4 roles, as these positions do not meet the minimum salary and skill thresholds required under UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self‑motivated individual to join the Pharmacy team at County Hospital where you will oversee the work in the Stores and Distribution area.

Experience we are looking for:

• Previous experience of working in a pharmacy environment
• It would be desirable but not essential to have experience of ward based automated/ pharmacy automated machines
• It is desirable but not essential to have previous experience of working in a warehouse/ stores environment
• Co‑ordinating people and workflow
• Experience of evaluating and translating information from a variety of sources.
• Experience of communicating with patients and hospital staff over the phone
• Problem solving
• Good organisational skills

We take pride in supporting our staff throughout their career development and our strong retention rates reflect the value we place on nurturing individual growth.

Main duties of the job

You will support the supply of medicines, including liaising with wards and departments and external customers.

It is necessary to liaise with internal stakeholders to support the timely supply of medicines and processing of orders. We are looking for someone who is able to show initiative; is helpful and approachable; organised and can work accurately; good IT skills, problem solving and communication skills.

It is a requirement to be able to demonstrate working unsupervised to the required deadlines.

You will have previous experience in a similar environment, with a willingness to work in other areas within pharmacy.

You will be responsible for co‑ordinating and supporting the pharmacy support staff in the processing of ward orders and stock requisitions for the delivery of medicines. You will provide leadership as part of the Pharmacy team and co‑ordinate and support the training of staff. You will be required to liaise with clinical teams, ward staff and external customers to resolve queries and to ensure patients receive their medicines in a timely manner.

About us

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke‑on‑Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co‑created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Job responsibilities

Senior Assistant Technical Officer Stores and Distribution

Pharmacy Directorate

Band 3

37.5 hours per week

Qualifications

• 4 GCSEs or equivalent - must include Maths and English at grade 4 or above - and BTEC Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services or be working towards. OR 4 GCSEs or equivalent - must include Maths and English at grade 4 or above plus an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent, in an area relevant to the role and willing to work towards BTEC Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services

Experience

• At least 1 years' experience in a similar role
• Experience of using computer systems and applications
• Ability to lead and supervise other members of the team, prioritising and allocating work, ensuring rotas are complied with
• Good organisational skills for example when liaising with Lead Technician to compile rotas
• Ability to deal confidently and directly with all members of healthcare teams and members of the public
• Ability to investigate queries, taking appropriate action, liaising with technicians and pharmacists as necessary
• Pride in establishing and maintaining high standards of work and attention to detail
• Ability to work unsupervised and alone within departmental guidelines/SOPs
• Previous experience of dealing with customers and difficult queries
• Work experience in any of the following: Hospital environment Stock control Reception/telephone work

Personal Qualities

• A positive 'can do' attitude combining an enthusiastic and intelligent approach to work
• Flexible approach to work including changing in work schedules and job rotation
• Participate in extended hours, weekend and bank holiday working
• Interest in expanding knowledge and self‑development. Self‑motivated and ability to motivate others

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust