Ward based and Distribution Pharmacy Support Worker

Stockport; Stockport; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27–33 days annual leave + bank hols

Salary sacrifice schemes

Cycle to work

Stockport Credit Union

Job summary

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust in Stockport is seeking a Ward based and Distribution Pharmacy Support Worker. The post is NHS AfC Band 3, permanent, full time (37.5 hours).

The role supports ward and distribution teams within the inpatient pharmacy and requires attention to detail, teamwork, and clear communication with multidisciplinary staff and patients. Eligibility notes indicate visa sponsorship is not available due to salary threshold, with a minimum indicative salary around £41,700 per

Qualifications

• Good attention to detail
• Excellent communication with patients and colleagues
• Flexible working approach
• Good time keeping

Responsibilities

• Ward top ups including rotation and expiry date checking of stock medication, safe handling and storage compliance, temperature monitoring, maintaining pharmacy databases.
• Distributing medications to internal and external customers, ordering patient specific medications via electronic systems, and assembling orders for distribution across the trust.
• Assessing stock holding levels and cost saving duties.
• Receiving medication from suppliers.
• Communicating effectively with patients and colleagues.

Education

NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy services or equivalent

Tools

None

Job description

From the exceptional opportunities we offer, to the remarkable care we provide for our patients, we think there is something special about working here.

Ward based and Distribution Pharmacy Support Worker

NHS AfC: Band 3

Main area Pharmacy Support worker Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 362-ACS3PHAR-10-26-A

Site Stepping Hill Hospital Town Stockport Salary Dependant on experience Closing 23/10/2026 23:59

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust

There are lots of good reasons to choose to come and work at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust. A dynamic integrated Trust with integrity and vision. Exactly the same qualities you’ll see in yourself. Stockport NHS Foundation Trust aims to be the organisation of choice for patients and an employer of choice for staff. In order to continually improve all aspects of our patient experience, we rely upon having a highly skilled, motivated, diverse, productive and patient focused workforce.

Stockport Foundation Trust is one of four ‘specialist’ hospital sites in Greater Manchester. Being a ‘specialist’ hospital will enhance our general surgery, anaesthetics, critical care and emergency medicine for the benefit of people in Stockport, High Peak, Cheshire and across Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

As well as recognising previous NHS service, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is a member of the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. If you are currently employed by Greater Manchester Local Authority, Combined Authority, GMFRS, TfGM as well as other public service organisations, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust will recognise your previous service for sickness and maternity/paternity/adoption entitlement and also for annual leave purposes (providing there has been no break in service). If you currently work for one of the above organisations and successfully apply for a post with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, please ensure the Recruitment team are aware so that this service is reflected in your contract of employment.

Job overview

Ward based and Distribution Pharmacy Support Worker: Permanent (37.5 hours)

We are looking for a reliable, enthusiastic person to join our busy, forward thinking pharmacy department.

The correct candidate will be based with the ward based and distribution team within the inpatient pharmacy.

The post holder should have good attention to detail, able to work independently and also as part of a busy team. They must have good communication skills as this role involves working with multidisciplinary teams and patients.

Important Notice on Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

Please note that whilst the trust does offer sponsorship this role is unfortunately not eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Health and Care Worker/Skilled visa route. This is due to the position not meeting the minimum salary threshold of £41,700 per annum and the required skill level set by UK Visas and Immigration.

We appreciate your interest in this opportunity and encourage applications from candidates who already have theright to work in the UK.

Main duties of the job

Ward top ups including, correctrotation and expiry date checking of stock medication, safe handling and storage compliance, temperature monitoring, maintaining pharmacy specific databases.

Distributing medications to internal and external customers, ordering patient specific medications through electronic systems and assembling orders for distribution across the trust.

Assessing stock holding levels and cost saving duties.

Receiving medication from suppliers.

Communicating effectively with patients and colleagues.

Working for our organisation

We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.

If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.

We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.

Benefits we offer to you:

• Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary finance – for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
• Stockport Credit Union– for local financial advice

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specifications focuses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded. The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy services or equivalent

Knowledge

• Knowledge of equality and diversity
• Knowledge of technical procedures at NVQ level 2 pharmacy services
• Knowledge of pharmacy dispensing procedures
• Awareness of COSHH

Experience

• Demonstrates flexible approach to 7 day working week including Saturday, Sundays, Evenings and Bank Holidays
• Adhere to comply with Trust ‘No Smoking’ policy
• Physical effort - strength to move heavy boxes.

Skills and abilities

• Flexible working approach
• Good time keeping

Applicants are encouraged to read the documents attached to this vacancy before applying, including the job description and person specification and the information for applicants which includes useful information to assist you in completing your application.

From time to time we may need to close a vacancy early when in receipt of a sufficient number of applications. If you are interested in this post and wish to be considered, we strongly advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note that all correspondence will be via your NHS Jobs account. Unfortunately we are not able to acknowledge each application. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please consider that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion. Please also note that Stockport NHS Foundation Trust are unable to refund Interview expenses or re-location costs.

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting and championing a culture of diversity, fairness and equality for all applicants and employees. Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds and we strive to reflect the community we serve in our diverse workforce. Our "two tick" kite mark guarantees a candidate with a disability, who fulfills the essential criteria, an interview at the Trust. We can make reasonable adjustments, and offer support and advice in a variety of ways on request.

At the Trust we always adhere to the UK Visas and Immigration rules pertaining to right to work; candidates who do not hold UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) citizenship are required to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to be eligible to apply for either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa which allows them to work in the UK, unless they have eligibility to work in the UK via another route.

To avoid disappointment, candidates wishing to apply for a role at the Trust who do not hold UK or Republic of Ireland citizenship and who would require a CoS from an employer, should carry out a self‑assessment process to identify the likelihood of obtaining CoS by visiting Work in the UK.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If you choose to use AI when writing a job application, it is essential to personalise the content, particularly the supporting statement. AI cannot fully understand the specific context or requirements of a role and may generate inaccurate or misleading information. Over ‑ reliance on AI can reduce an applicant’s chances of success, as it cannot effectively demonstrate how individual knowledge, experience, and skills meet the job criteria. Applicants should ensure their statements reflect a personal voice and avoid a generic or robotic tone.

Applicants should ensure their statements reflect a personal voice and avoid a generic or robotic tone.

Please note that we monitor the use of AI in applications. Applicants who use AI are required to declare this as part of the application process.

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.