The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Dispensing Assistant

The closing date is 20 July 2025

Job summary

We have a great new job in our Pharmacy Team! We're looking for a Dispensing Assistant to help us work with GP surgeries across Newcastle. You'll be part of a friendly team of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians based at Regent Point in Gosforth.

We're looking for someone who:

Works hard and enjoys learning
Can stay organised and manage their time well
Is confident talking to different people
Is proactive and a hardworking attitude
Has willingness to learn and grown within the role

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you! You can contact us to ask questions or come and visit us to find out more. We would encourage candidates to get in touch with us to find out more about the role and arrange a visit.

Interview Date Wednesday 06 August 2025
26 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

Reviewing and updating simple clinical letters and medication histories.
Communicating with community pharmacies about stock availability.
Monitoring and managing a shared email inbox.
Speaking with patients over the phone to help resolve queries.
Contacting clinics via phone or email to clarify medication-related questions.
Supporting cost-saving initiatives through audits and data collection.
Assisting with quality improvement projects.
Collaborating with our admin team to streamline prescription processes.

About us

Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:

o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Date posted

14 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

317-2025-25-026

Job locations

Royal Victoria Infirmary

317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary

NE1 4LP

Job description

Job responsibilities

To carry out the full range of Dispensing Assistant duties including the dispensing of prescriptions and orders.
Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
To dispense discharge prescriptions and electronically generate patient specific orders at ward level.
To provide support within the clinical trials unit (Freeman only)

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To carry out the full range of Dispensing Assistant duties including the dispensing of prescriptions and orders.
Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
To dispense discharge prescriptions and electronically generate patient specific orders at ward level.
To provide support within the clinical trials unit (Freeman only)

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations / pack sizes

Desirable

Knowledge of Hospital Pharmacy

SKILLS

Essential

Demonstrate good oral and written communication
Basic computer skills
Good organisational and accuracy skills
Capable of working with minimum supervision
Good customer care skills

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Previous experience dispensing prescriptions

Desirable

Grandparent clause notification to the GPhc

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services OR a training programme accredited by the GPhC to an equivalent level to Pharmacy Services Skills NVQ Level 2 (QCF)

Desirable

GCSE (Min. Grade C) or equivalent in Mathematics and English Language or previous relevant experience

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations / pack sizes

Desirable

Knowledge of Hospital Pharmacy

SKILLS

Essential

Demonstrate good oral and written communication
Basic computer skills
Good organisational and accuracy skills
Capable of working with minimum supervision
Good customer care skills

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Previous experience dispensing prescriptions

Desirable

Grandparent clause notification to the GPhc

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services OR a training programme accredited by the GPhC to an equivalent level to Pharmacy Services Skills NVQ Level 2 (QCF)

Desirable

GCSE (Min. Grade C) or equivalent in Mathematics and English Language or previous relevant experience

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.