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Job summary

Main area
Dispensing Assistant
Grade
AFC Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Job share
37.5 hours per week (Weekends and Bank Holidays are worked on a rota basis) - 2 posts offered 1 x37.5 1 x 22.5 or 2 x 30 hours per week)
Job ref
345-PHA7407073
Employer
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
University Hospital of North Tees
Town
Stockton on Tees
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 pro rata, per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
09/09/2025 23:59

Employer heading

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust logo

Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant

AFC Band 3

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, our main priority is, and always will be, providing safe and high quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones.

If you share our passion then apply for this opportunity and help us make our patients’ experience the best it can possibly be.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital-based services to the population of Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees and parts of East Durham and Sedgefield as well as community, therapeutic and screening to a wider population across Durham and Teesside.

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic team member with a dispensing qualification to join our Hospital Pharmacy Team. The post holder will contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive and modern pharmacy service by undertaking activities within the pharmacy and at ward level, which provide an efficient and effective delivery of medicines to patients e.g. dispensing medicines to patients, ward services and store based activities. Please note that whilst the posts will be predominantly based between University Hospital of North tees and University Hospital Hartlepool the post holder may be required to work on any site within the University Hospital of Tees Group.

Please do not apply if you do not hold the required dispensing qualification. 

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, utilising technology such as EMIS Ascribe dispensing system, BD Rowa robots and Omnicell cabinets.

Supporting pharmacy stores service providing checks to assembled ward orders, support for pharmacy homecare service, Omnicell cycle counts, and ensuring sound stock control is carried out in areas covered.

 

Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation at the Trust are well developed and we aim to provide high quality care with an emphasis on services to patients, through a modernised lean process.

 

 

Working for our organisation

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust our main priority is, and always will be, to provide safe and high quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones. We want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience.

We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development.  Staff recognition is very important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Star and Team of the month, colleague recognition – a note of thanks, Managers Awards, Shining Stars and Service Awards.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Following established SOP’s to dispense prescriptions and requisitions timely and accurately using the ASCribe computer system and robotics. Self-check to ensure quality and accuracy of dispensed items prior to final technical check.

Dispense controlled drug prescriptions and ward orders from Omnicells following SOP’s.  Accurate entries to be made in controlled drug registers to maintain stock control and legal requirements. Responsible for each individual entry any discrepancies to be reported immediately to manager. Issue controlled drug stationary, prescription pads and requisition books ensuring necessary records are completed to approved staff. Monitor stock levels and inform manager when supplies are required.

Provide dispensing service on wards. Carry out POP service and after completing Medicine Management training and compilation of portfolio, subject to service requirements.

Carry out monthly cycle counts on all Omnicells, and reporting any issue to Principal Pharmacy Technician - Omnicells. Replenish A&E emergency Omnicell on a daily basis using generated reports. Assist Principal Pharmacy Technician in Omnicell project work.

Check the accuracy of the generation and selection of items for ward and departmental orders including ad hoc requisitions assembled by pharmacy assistants following SOP’s.  Ensure all items are correct, fit for purpose and in date. Inform staff of any discrepancies and ensure correction occurs. This includes use of robotics and Omnicell technology. Site dependent includes the use of Ascribe, robotics and Omnicell.

Responsible for ward stock supplies for designated ward or department. Maintain the stock to agreed levels on a weekly basis following SOP’s. Monitor stock to ensure stock in date and fit for purpose. Site dependent includes the use of Ascribe, robotics and Omnicell.

Undertake training to include prescription/requisition/order entry onto the ASCribe computer system, accurate assembly and dispensing of medication, reception duties. Take responsibility for personal development and education including mandatory training via Electronic Staff Record (ESR) and targets set within annual appraisal. Participate in departmental dispensary training of new staff in SOP’s and processes.

Responsible for counting daily stock takes, including robotics and Omnicells. Monitor accuracy of stock levels by reporting any discrepancies to line manager to ensure investigation. Maintain stock quality with regular expiry date checks. Dispose of expired / discontinued medication in a safe manner following the trust and departmental waste management procedure and COSHH regulations.

Record Homecare prescriptions against patient medical records using Ascribe Homecare module following SOP’s.

Person specification

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Ability to pay good attention to detail.
  • Ability to show initiative where applicable, and also to work within procedural guidelines.
  • Be focused on patient care and the delivery of an effective and efficient service.
  • Demonstrate ability to have a logical approach to problem solving and to form and maintain good working relationships with all staff groups.
  • Works accurately under pressure
  • Good written and verbal communication skills to facilitate the provision of routine information to others including staff and patients

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Maths and English GCSE level 4 or above

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of dispensing and stock control work within a pharmacy
  • Up-to-date knowledge of pharmacy operational procedures and practices
  • Good written and verbal communication skills to facilitate the provision of routine information to others including staff and patients.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in hospital pharmacy

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Dying to Work CharterStep into healthArmed Forces Covenant

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Linda Whitaker
Job title
Principal Pharmacy Technician
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01642 624361
Additional information

Paul Yardley

Principal Pharmacy Technician

01642 624361

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