Senior Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

Integrated Care System; Carmarthen; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Wales is seeking a Senior Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer to support medicines optimisation and ensure safe pharmaceutical care. This full-time role includes responsibilities at ward level and within a dispensary team, aiming to provide quality healthcare services. Candidates should hold relevant qualifications and possess significant pharmacy experience. Competitive salary starting at £27,898 per annum.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of aseptic dispensing and preparation in hospital Pharmacy.
• Knowledge of legal requirements for dispensing and supply of medicines.
• GCSE at grade C or above in English and maths or equivalent qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Undertake general pharmaceutical duties under supervision.
• Dispense various prescription types with accuracy checks.
• Assist in the provision of safe and effective Pharmacy service.

Skills

Aseptic dispensing

Pharmaceutical technical procedures

Medicines optimisation

Education

NVQ level 2 or equivalent in Pharmacy Services

GCSE at grade C in English and maths

Tools

Pharmacy robotic systems

Job description

Senior Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

We are delighted to advertise for a brand new and innovative role supporting medicines optimisation, tailored for Senior Pharmacy Assistants.

You will be working at ward level, in close conjunction with the clinical pharmacy team, caring for your patients to manage medicines as per training provided.

You will also be an integral part of a multi-skilled Dispensary team, carrying out Final Accuracy Checking, again with appropriate training provided.

This is a new role for Senior Pharmacy Assistants in Glangwili Pharmacy, and if you are an ambitious, forward-thinking and proactive individual, who is committed to be part of a diverse Pharmacy team which supports each other, then you will fit in.

This post is permanent and full time 37.5 hours a week. Applicants are also expected to partake in a weekend working and Bank Holiday rota, and a stay late rota.

This is a Band 4/Annex 21 role. Please see below for further details and do get in touch if you would like to know more about this exciting role.

Main duties of the job

Undertake general pharmaceutical duties under the supervision of a line manager or deputy, assisting in the provision of a safe and effective Pharmacy service in line with current policies, procedures and legal requirements.

You will be an integral part of a multi-skilled Dispensary team, where duties include dispensing a variety of prescription types, and carrying out Final Accuracy Checking, following a clinical check by the Pharmacist. Appropriate training will be provided.

Work within patient services and at Ward Level undertaking medicines optimisation and discharge duties. This will include assessing patients' own medication, ensuring they are suitable for use in hospital, one-stop dispensing to wards in preparation for patients' discharge and maintaining and ordering non-stock medicines for patients. Again, appropriate training will be provided.

We are committed to developing the Senior Pharmacy Assistant role, where you will be encouraged and supported to develop yourself.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities

This post is advertised as a Band 4 and ideally candidates for this role must have achieved the HEIW Medicines Management for Pharmacy Support Staff Training Programme and Accuracy Checking for Pharmacy Assistants or equivalent qualifications. However applicants who do not currently hold the qualification for the Band 4 role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will need to attain the qualification within 2 years and will be appointed under Annex 21 rules.

This means they will be supported by a development plan. (During the first year payment will be 70% of the top rate of band 4 pay, and the second year 75%). Following successful passing of the HEIW Medicines Management for Pharmacy Support Staff Training Programme and Accuracy Checking for Pharmacy Assistants the post holder will then be paid at Band 4 (minimum point on the scale). Support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the successful applicant to the Band 4 role. Failure to achieve the qualification in the designated timeframe could result in redeployment.

As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 03/09/2025.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• NVQ level 2 or equivalent in Pharmacy Services
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical technical procedures to NVQ Level 3 equivalent. i.e: - Buttercups Level 2 or Equivalent Course for Pharmacy in relevant area of practice AND Pre and Inprocess Checking Competency (Dependant on area of work) OR - Buttercups Level 4 Accredited Checking Dispensing Assistant qualification or equivalent. (Dependant on area of work) OR - CIPS Level 2 qualification AND extensive experience and knowledge of procurement and invoicing procedures and processes (Dependant on area of work)
• HEIW Medicines Management for Pharmacy Support Staff accreditation
• Knowledge of regulations covering aseptic preparation and current issues. (depending on area of work)
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing, dispensing and distribution practices.
• GCSE at grade C or above in English and maths or equivalent qualifications
• Aseptic Dispensing and Preparation of Medicines, Leeds Relevant NVQ 3 units
• HNC in Applied Science, Food science & technology
• Knowledge of the services provided by the medicines management team

Experience

• Significant experience of aseptic dispensing and preparation in hospital Pharmacy.
• Significant experience of dispensing and distribution of medicines in a community or hospital Pharmacy.
• Basic knowledge of the functions of the NHS
• Good knowledge of legal requirements for dispensing and supply of medicines, including controlled drugs
• Aware of Health, Safety & Wellbeing and their implications for staff
• Good understanding of stock control and stock management
• Significant experience of Pharmacy procurement process and financial understanding of drug budgets
• Significant experience with relevant IT systems and pharmacy robotic systems
• Experience of working on a ward
• Use of stock control systems.
• Experience of in-process checks during aseptic preparation
• Experience of working effectively both within a team and independently
• Experience in preparation of aseptically prepared products
• Health and Safety in the Workplace
• Involvement in procedure writing
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work to targets
• Experience of leading a team

Language Skills

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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.

£27,898 to £30,615 a yearper annum (pro rata if part time) (Annex 21)