Pharmacy Assistant

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS hospital trusts in the country, with around 16,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.7 billion. We provide a wide range of hospital and community services, supporting patients with rare and complex medical conditions, cancers, and genetic disorders. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and sustainability, aiming to be Net Zero by 2030 for our direct carbon footprint and by 2040 for our full footprint.

About the role

We are recruiting a Pharmacy Assistant to join our Royal Victoria Infirmary Pharmacy Team. You may occasionally work across sites at the Freeman Hospital, both of which use automated robotic dispensing to support a wide range of prescriptions and orders. As a key team member, you will work alongside Pharmacists, Technicians, Assistants, and Students to support the rapid discharge of patients 7 days a week. The role includes weekend, weekday late duties, and bank holiday rotations as part of our seven-day service.

This is an excellent opportunity for career development, with full training and support provided. No prior pharmacy experience is required, as competency-based training will be offered.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to dispensary services, including ordering, distribution, and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
• Undertake reception duties at the staff hatch, answer dispensary telephones, and ensure orders/prescriptions are logged on the tracking system.
• Support dispensary staff as required, including checking off received orders.
• Replenish the Emergency Drug Cupboard and a variety of cardiac arrest boxes.
• Issue Controlled Drugs in response to written orders.
• Deliver drug bags to wards and departments throughout the hospital.

Requirements

• Good basic education (e.g., GCSEs or equivalent) or relevant experience.
• Commitment to undertake an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services if not already achieved.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety and hygiene in the workplace.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills and strong organizational abilities.
• Good customer care skills and a professional manner.
• Ability to work accurately in a busy environment and adapt to change.

Qualifications

• Essential:
  • Good basic education (e.g., GCSEs or equivalent) or previous relevant experience.
  • Must commit to undertaking an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services if not already achieved.
• Desirable:
  • GCSE (Minimum Grade C) or equivalent in Mathematics and English Language.
  • NVQ 2 in Pharmacy Services.
  • Knowledge of hospital pharmacy, drug names, and formulations.
  • Experience in stock control and management.
  • Grandparent clause notification to the GPhC.

Benefits

As a flexible working-friendly organisation, we strive to accommodate arrangements that work for both the service and you. Additional staff benefits are available; see the attached documents for details.

Schedule

• 37.5 hours per week.
• Rotational shifts including weekends, weekday late duties, and bank holidays.

Interview Date: 10 September

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Successful candidates requiring a DBS certificate will have the cost deducted from their first month’s salary.