Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Dispensing Assistant

The closing date is 26 March 2026

Job summary

A vacancy has arisen for a Dispensing Assistant (Assistant Technical Officer) within the Pharmacy Department, split between St Nicholas' Hospital in Newcastle and St. George's Park in Morpeth, Northumberland. The successful candidate will ideally have Pharmacy experience, excellent communication and team working skills as well as being self-motivated, enthusiastic and have a flexible approach to their work.

To be eligible to join us in this exciting role you will already hold, be working towards or be willing to study for an NVQ2 Certificate in Pharmacy Services or equivalent, with appropriate GCSE qualifications in Mathematics and English.

Main duties of the job

We provide a comprehensive clinical pharmacy service to all our mental health, learning disability and neurological rehabilitation inpatient teams. We also provide services to community mental health teams, crisis teams, and other specialist services throughout the region.

Our Dispensary services team provide dispensing services to inpatients, community patients and day cases, and support to ward based clinical pharmacy teams which includes dispensing for discharge on wards and medicines topping up services.

The pharmacy team works across four main bases, in Cumbria, Northumberland, Newcastle and Sunderland and the postholder will be required to travel between Newcastle and Northumberland bases as detailed below. Very occasional travel to our other Pharmacy sites may also be required. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 08.30 to 17.00

About us

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

The North-East of England offers affordable housing and fantastic quality of life opportunities for anyone looking to relocate. It includes some of Britain's most beautiful scenery and coastline, national parks and ancient heritage sites. There is also a vibrant cultural scene in the major cities of Newcastle and Sunderland and a number of attractive market towns. Transport links with other UK regions are excellent, with an international airport in Newcastle as well as major train stations in Sunderland and Newcastle (East Coast main line). For further information, please visit the NHS Find Your Place website: www.nhsfindyourplace.co.uk.

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

263-SS26-019-LB

Job locations

St Nicholas Hospital

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE3 3XT


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 12th March 2026

Closing date : 26th March 2026

We welcome your application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 12th March 2026

Closing date : 26th March 2026

We welcome your application.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE Maths and English
  • NVQ Level 2 in pharmacy services
  • Underpinning knowledge- equivalent to NVQ 3 standard

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Ability to plan, organise and deliver service objectives

Skills and Competencies

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Good analytical, judgmental and interpersonal skills to ensure timely supply of medicines to wards according to a pre-determined schedule
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE Maths and English
  • NVQ Level 2 in pharmacy services
  • Underpinning knowledge- equivalent to NVQ 3 standard

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Ability to plan, organise and deliver service objectives

Skills and Competencies

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Good analytical, judgmental and interpersonal skills to ensure timely supply of medicines to wards according to a pre-determined schedule

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Nicholas Hospital

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE3 3XT


Employer's website

https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Nicholas Hospital

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE3 3XT


Employer's website

https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Specialist Technician - Dispensary Services

Sarah Hindhaugh

Sarah.Hindhaugh@cntw.nhs.uk

01912456606

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

263-SS26-019-LB

Job locations

St Nicholas Hospital

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE3 3XT


Supporting documents

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