Trainee Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant

NHS; Ashington; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Dispensary Assistant to join their pharmacy team at Wansbeck General Hospital. The successful candidate will support the delivery of medications to patients and will be expected to work flexibly across various locations. A desire to maintain high standards in patient care is essential. Applicants should have good literacy and numeracy skills, with the opportunity to enroll in NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services shortly after starting.

Qualifications

• Good literacy and numeracy skills equivalent to GCSE grade C or above.
• Trainee Dispensary Assistants must enroll in NVQ Level 2 within 3 months.
• Basic computer skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the delivery of the pharmacy service.
• Communicate information with healthcare staff.
• Assist in the supply and dispensing of medications.

Skills

Literacy

Numeracy

Computer Skills

Education

Equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in English Language

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Job summary

We are looking for ideal candidates to join our existing team of Dispensary Assistants at Wansbeck General Hospital (WGH) The successful candidate will be undertaking activities at ward level but also within the pharmacy department, who contribute to the efficient and effective delivery of medicines to patients e.g. medicines supple and dispensing medication.

The post will be based at Wansbeck General Hospital but the post holder may be required to work at other sites within the Trust. Weekend cover will be based at North Tyneside General Hospital to support the 7 day clinical service to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH).

An NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services is desirable, however, if not held then you will be expected to achieve this within 12 months. Previous experience in a similar post would be desirable but it is not essential.

Annex 20 Applies: this post falls within the provisions of Agenda for Change Annex 20 - Development of Professional Roles, whereby upon completion of an agreed set of competencies you may move onto the next pay band without the need for an application for a post at a higher level.

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received

Main duties of the job

To contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive and modern ward pharmacy service. Undertaking activities predominantly within the pharmacy department which contribute to the efficient and effective delivery of medicines to patients e.g. medicines supply, drug administration, and dispensing medication.

About us

We manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, in addition to our state-of-the-art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. We also care for people in their homes and provide services from facilities in local communities such as health centres. We give people greater choice and control over their care to help them to live independently at home and avoid hospital admission where appropriate. High quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do and we strive to ensure every single patient and service user has an exceptional experience with us. We have one of the most extensive patient experience programmes of any trust in England.

Details Date posted

27 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

319-7222377JA

Job locations

Wansbeck General Hospital

Woodhorn Lane

Ashington

NE63 9JJ

Job description Job responsibilities

To communicate routine information with other healthcare staff to ensure that a safe and effective system of supply of medicines is maintained to patients.

To communicate routine information with patients/ carers concerning their medicines which may include to patients with communication difficulties.

Job description Job responsibilities

To communicate routine information with other healthcare staff to ensure that a safe and effective system of supply of medicines is maintained to patients.

To communicate routine information with patients/ carers concerning their medicines which may include to patients with communication difficulties.

Person Specification Qualifications and experience Essential

• Good standards of literacy and numeracy equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics
• Trainee Dispensing Assistants will be enrolled on the NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services supported appropriate underpinning knowledge training e.g. that provided by NPA, Buttercups or other accredited inhouse programmes. Enrolment will occur within three months of commencing their role (or as soon as practical within local training arrangements), the programme should be completed within a twelve month period following enrolment and only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. prolonged sickness absence, maternity leave) should it extend beyond this.
• Experience of computers including basic keyboard skills.

other Essential

• It is an essential requirement of the role that the post holder has a valid driving licence and is either a car owner and able to use the car for work purposes, or has a Trust personal lease vehicle which may be used for the role. However, the Trust would consider making reasonable adjustments to the role, if necessary, to enable a disabled person to undertake the role

Person Specification Qualifications and experience Essential

• Good standards of literacy and numeracy equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics
• Trainee Dispensing Assistants will be enrolled on the NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services supported appropriate underpinning knowledge training e.g. that provided by NPA, Buttercups or other accredited inhouse programmes. Enrolment will occur within three months of commencing their role (or as soon as practical within local training arrangements), the programme should be completed within a twelve month period following enrolment and only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. prolonged sickness absence, maternity leave) should it extend beyond this.
• Experience of computers including basic keyboard skills.

other Essential

• It is an essential requirement of the role that the post holder has a valid driving licence and is either a car owner and able to use the car for work purposes, or has a Trust personal lease vehicle which may be used for the role. However, the Trust would consider making reasonable adjustments to the role, if necessary, to enable a disabled person to undertake the role

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.

Employer details Employer name

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Wansbeck General Hospital

Woodhorn Lane

Ashington

NE63 9JJ

Employer's website

https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Wansbeck General Hospital

Woodhorn Lane

Ashington

NE63 9JJ

Employer's website

https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)