Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 294-CORP-8186018-AZ
- Employer
- South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Springfield University Hospital
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £31,554 - £33,270 per annum inclusive of Inner London HCAs
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/08/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Dispensing Assistant
NHS AfC: Band 3
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We provide a full range of local mental health services to the Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth London boroughs, as well as specialist forensic mental health services, including specialised services such as national deaf adults and CAMHS inpatients and OCD.
We are committed to providing high quality integrated health and social care for local people with mental health problems in South West London and more specialist mental health services for people throughout the UK. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ however we aim to be ‘outstanding’.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values; being consistent, compassionate, collaborative, respectful and open is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is "making life better together".
When you join us, you’ll be part of something special – an innovative and rapidly growing organisation that is helping to redefine the Mental Health, education and social care landscape in the UK.
As a Trust, we are happy to talk flexible working.
Job overview
The SWLStG pharmacy team have an excellent opportunity for a Senior Pharmacy Assistant to join our friendly pharmacy team within this Mental Health Trust, based at Springfield Hospital in Tooting. Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm – Currently no weekends/Bank holidays/late duties.
We are looking for a conscientious and adaptable individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. To be eligible you must be enthusiastic, self-motivated, hardworking and have a good standard of general education. Computer literacy, accuracy and attention to detail are essential.
The pharmacy provides a high-quality medicines service supplying medication to a variety of patients, wards and departments. The role will involve dispensing and distribution of pharmaceuticals and supporting the wider pharmacy team in providing a medicines management service.
Main duties of the job
Day to day working in the dispensary and at ward level following appropriate training. To provide a safe and effective dispensing service in areas worked. To participate in and provide accuracy checks to assembled ward stock orders and ensuring sound stock control is carried out in areas covered.
The ideal candidate will hold NVQ level 2 (or equivalent) in Pharmacy Services Skills and have recent experience of working as a dispenser. Those who do not meet the essential criteria will be considered for a band 2 to 3 progression, with a tailored development programme which may suit a school leaver.
We are committed to get the very best out of our staff and support staff in their career aspirations. We have career pathways available, where you will be able to develop your skills and build on your experience to progress into other roles across different specialties. For this role, we offer career pathways to become an apprentice trainee pharmacy technician. We offer ongoing training and development in pharmacy practice delivered through monthly Continued Education sessions and Medicine Optimisation meetings.
Working for our organisation
Unless expressly stated in the job advert this role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK.
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ - we aspire to be ‘outstanding’.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To dispense & self-check medication for patients, ready to receive a final accuracy check.
To participate in the medication supply and topping-up service at ward/team base level, when required, to ensure adequate stocks are maintained for patient care.
To participate within the pharmacy, when necessary, with the receipt, processing, storage and stock control of medicines and other supplies and invoicing support for the Pharmacy Team Secretary.
To participate in the supply of clozapine to patients under the guidance of the Senior Pharmacy Technician (Patient Services) according to SOPs.
To issue dispensed medication to patients, carers or staff.
To respond to enquiries and requests from staff, patients and carers, in accordance with individual competence and departmental policy.
To top-up, assemble and replace expired pharmaceuticals in the emergency equipment pouches for ILS bags according to SOP.
To train dispensary staff on rotation and locums or other agency staff in the routine duties of the dispensary.
To use pharmacy and other computer systems in the course of performing these duties.
To cover for the Pharmacy Assistant in their absence.
To ensure patient & carer information is readily available.
To be responsible for efficient and safe organisation and workflow in the dispensary.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications
If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.
Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.
Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.
Person specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Basic general education which should include GCSE at a grade 4 or above (or equivalent) in Maths, English and Double Science
- Either/or o Successful achievement of relevant units of Pharmacy Service Skills NVQ level 2 (QCF) o Successful achievement of relevant units of a GPhC accredited training programme of an equivalent level to Pharmacy Service Skills NVQ level 2 (QCF)
Experience
Essential criteria
- Recent experience of working in a pharmacy as a qualified Dispensing Assistant
- Experience of dispensing prescriptions
Desirable criteria
- Previous hospital pharmacy experience
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Pooja Singh
- Job title
- Chief Pharmacy Technician
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 020 35132566
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