Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Dispensary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Pharmacy Assistant to join the Dispensary, contributing to safe and efficient dispensing and stock management in our automated facilities.

Ideal candidates will have NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent and experience in hospital or community settings. 7-day service means some weekend work; a DBS check is required and probation applies.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent.
• Experience in hospital or community pharmacy environments.
• Ability to work across 7 days including weekends.
• Willing to undergo DBS check and probation period.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality dispensing services within the dispensary.
• Supervise and support Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians.
• Participate in late-duty, weekend and bank-holiday rotas.
• Receive prescriptions and manage requests per procedures.
• Maintain accuracy in dispensing and stock control.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Day-to-day task organisation

Accuracy and organisation

Initiative

Customer sensitivity

Teamwork

Empathetic communication

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Vocational IT qualification

Tools

Pharmacy computer system

Job description

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Dispensary

The closing date is 23 November 2026

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.

About us

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.

Job 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

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust