Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Dispensary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Bedford is seeking a Pharmacy Assistant to join our automated dispensary team. You will support the safe dispensing of prescriptions in the main dispensary and assist with stock management across the Pharmacy Department.

We require NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent and experience in a hospital or community pharmacy setting; weekend and some late shifts are required. 37.5 hours per week, based at Bedford Hospital South Wing.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent.
• Basic numeracy and literacy.
• Vocational IT skills qualification.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality dispensing services within the Pharmacy Dispensary.
• Support and oversee Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians in the dispensary.
• Participate in late-duty rota, weekend and bank-holiday shift patterns.
• Receive prescriptions and other requests into the Main Dispensary or Dispensary Satellites per procedures.
• Interpret prescriptions and clarify with a pharmacy technician or pharmacist as needed.

Skills

Good communication skills

Verbal and written communication

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Empathetic communication

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Basic numeracy and literacy

Vocational IT skills qualification

Tools

Pharmacy computer system

Job description

Main area Pharmacy Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (N/A) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Including lates, weekends and bank holidays) Job ref 418-AHP06900-CW

Site Bedford Hospital South Wing Town Bedford Salary £25,760 - £27,476 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 23/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

Are you looking for a dynamic role centred on delivering outstanding pharmaceutical care to patients? We’re seeking motivated pharmacy assistants to become an integral part of our forward-thinking team, working within our modern, automated dispensary facilities. In this position, you’ll support the safe and efficient dispensing of prescriptions in the main dispensary, as well as contribute to effective stock management across the Pharmacy Department.

To be considered, you should have previous experience in either a hospital or community pharmacy setting, along with an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or an equivalent qualification).

We’re looking for individuals who are enthusiastic about developing their skills, embracing new responsibilities, and consistently providing an excellent patient experience.

Bedford Pharmacy operates a 7-day service, so some weekend working will be required.

Main duties of the job

Provide high-quality dispensing services within the Pharmacy Dispensary.

Support and oversee the work of Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians in the dispensary.

Participate in the late-duty rota, as well as weekend and bank-holiday shift patterns.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.

• To receive prescriptions and other requests into the Main Dispensary or Dispensary Satellites according to the agreed procedures and deal with straightforward problems
• To interpret prescriptions and where necessary, contact a pharmacy technician or pharmacist to clarify prescriptions
• To undertake dispensing tasks under supervision including use of the pharmacy computer system for labelling
• To check and restock the emergency drugs cupboard
• To answer the telephone and resolve problems

Person specification

Qualifications

• Basic numeracy and literacy
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services
• Vocational qualification in IT skills

Experience

• Experience in a pharmacy, warehouse or customer orientated environment
• Experience of supervising staff in training
• Experience of training other staff
• Use of computer systems

Knowledge

• Understanding of customer care
• Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times
• Familiarity with drug names

Skills

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to organise own day to day work tasks
• Accurate and organised
• Shows initiative
• Ability to deal sensitively with distressed / aggrieved customers / clients
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Empathetic communication skills

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

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.

Name Lianne Watson Job title Principal Pharmacy Technician - Dispensary Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01234 355122