Pharmacy Services Assistant

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 06 May 2025

Job summary

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, motivated, responsible individual to join the pharmacy team and be an integral part of our 7 day service.

We are a busy department covering a diverse range of activities and functions including: dispensary, logistics, quality control, manufacture and preparation of medicines and products including chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition, clinical trials, ward based/clinical activities, medicines information and community services.

You will support our Logistics and Dispensary teams providing pharmacy services in the dispensary, store and distribution areas, including portering (transportation of stock to the wards and clinics) and ward stock top-ups.

On the job training will be given with departmental competencies to complete.You must have at least 2 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C or above / 4 - 9, including Maths and English. Must be willing, able and eligible to undertake the L2 Pharmacy Service skills apprenticeship (if it or equivalent is not already achieved) and any other required training.

You must be flexible and react positively to change, to work in the different areas of pharmacy. Have experience of working calmly and effectively in a busy environment; an eye for detail, good team-working and interpersonal skills. You must be able to follow written procedures, work under supervision, complete tasks accurately to set deadlines, move and handle stock and provide portering services.

Main duties of the job

Details about our pharmacy service - https://esneft.pagetiger.com/buqzfou/1

DispensaryWorking at our reception hatch greeting customers (eg. patients, hospital staff), taking payment, receiving and giving out prescriptions, dealing with phone calls and helping with basic queries, referring when required.

Dispensing medication for in and out patients, community hospitals and units.

LogisticsSupporting with stock management in all areas of work, receipt and safe storage of goods, picking and packing stock orders for the hospital and community hospitals. Movement of stock across the hospital site including heavy loads (portering). Stock topping-up on wards and return and recycling of medicines no longer required.

Stock rotation and expiry date checking.

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is thatTime Mattersto everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here -www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Date posted

30 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

432-HR144-25

Job locations

Ipswich Hospital

Heath Road

Ipswich

IP4 5PD

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

At least 2 GCSEs (or equivalent) Grade C or above/4 - 9 including maths and English
Willing and able to undertake the L2 Pharmacy Service Assistant course or other relevant course as required/defined by management.

Desirable

Science GCSE (or equivalent qualification)

Experience

Essential

Working effectively as part of a team or alone under supervision.
Working effectively under pressure.
Moving and handling loads
Applying theory to practice
Working in a busy and stressful environment

Knowledge

Essential

Basic knowledge of stock control/rotation

Desirable

Standards for pharmacy professionals (GPhC)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

At least 2 GCSEs (or equivalent) Grade C or above/4 - 9 including maths and English
Willing and able to undertake the L2 Pharmacy Service Assistant course or other relevant course as required/defined by management.

Desirable

Science GCSE (or equivalent qualification)

Experience

Essential

Working effectively as part of a team or alone under supervision.
Working effectively under pressure.
Moving and handling loads
Applying theory to practice
Working in a busy and stressful environment

Knowledge

Essential

Basic knowledge of stock control/rotation

Desirable

Standards for pharmacy professionals (GPhC)

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.