Job summary
We are seeking to employ a motivated and enthusiastic Pharmacy Assistant to join the dispensary team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a high-performing, patient-focused pharmacy service.
The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the safe, efficient, and timely supply of medicines across the Trust, working in a fast-paced and technologically advanced environment.
In this role, you will be instrumental in managing the inpatient dispensary workflow and supporting the dispensary team to maintain high standards of service delivery.
You will also oversee the pharmacy tracking system, a critical tool for monitoring prescription progress and ensuring compliance with Trust performance targets. Your contribution will directly impact patient outcomes, discharge efficiency, and the overall quality of care.
- Interview date: Thursday 8 January 2026
- 37 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
As part of the dispensary team, this role involves taking a lead in coordinating the dispensary workflow to ensure prescriptions are processed promptly and in accordance with Trust Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Support for the dispensary management team includes supervising and guiding colleagues to foster a collaborative and responsive working environment that consistently delivers high standards of patient care.
A key responsibility is the monitoring and maintenance of the pharmacy tracking system, ensuring accurate recording and reporting of dispensing activity. Dispensing prescriptions must be carried out efficiently and in compliance with legal and professional standards, with close collaboration across the multidisciplinary team including pharmacists, technicians, assistants, and students, to ensure safe and effective pharmaceutical services.
Additional duties include contributing to stock management through the ordering, receipt, and appropriate storage of medicines. Participation in the seven-day pharmacy service may be required, including weekend, late, and bank holiday rotas, to support continuity of care. The role also involves active engagement in service improvement initiatives and supporting the implementation of new processes and technologies. A professional and flexible approach is essential, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and evolving service needs.
About us
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.
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospital
o Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
o Newcastle Dental Hospital
o Newcastle Fertility Centre
o Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
o Northern Genetics Service
o 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
Job description
Job responsibilities
To support the dispensary management team in leading and coordinating dispensary workflow. To supervise and co-ordinate the day-to-day workload within the dispensary. To ensure the receipt of all goods received into the dispensary are in accordance with procedures. To ensure medicinal products and other products located in the dispensary are stored in a safe and secure manner in pre-agreed locations. Supervise daily stock checks and investigate discrepancies. To manage and monitor the Pharmacy Tracking System (PTS) Liaise with pharmacy stores and procurement office to co-ordinate stock availability. Under the direction of the dispensary manager, ensure stock levels in the dispensary are appropriate. Undertake the Accuracy Checking Dispensing Assistant course. Undertake appraisal training and complete annual appraisals for dispensary staff. Creating and demonstrating a positive and constructive environment within the Pharmacy Department, promoting a culture of openness and honesty in the interests of excellent service delivery. Performing informal performance management, referring to more senior staff when a more formal approach is required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To support the dispensary management team in leading and coordinating dispensary workflow. To supervise and co-ordinate the day-to-day workload within the dispensary. To ensure the receipt of all goods received into the dispensary are in accordance with procedures. To ensure medicinal products and other products located in the dispensary are stored in a safe and secure manner in pre-agreed locations. Supervise daily stock checks and investigate discrepancies. To manage and monitor the Pharmacy Tracking System (PTS) Liaise with pharmacy stores and procurement office to co-ordinate stock availability. Under the direction of the dispensary manager, ensure stock levels in the dispensary are appropriate. Undertake the Accuracy Checking Dispensing Assistant course. Undertake appraisal training and complete annual appraisals for dispensary staff. Creating and demonstrating a positive and constructive environment within the Pharmacy Department, promoting a culture of openness and honesty in the interests of excellent service delivery. Performing informal performance management, referring to more senior staff when a more formal approach is required.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- CSE or GCSE in Maths or English
- 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
- NVQ Level 3 in Management
- Accuracy checking dispensing assistant buttercups qualification or equivalent
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of pharmacy stock control systems
- Significant experience of working within a dispensary environment
- Ability to deliver high quality work to deadline
- Demonstrate an understanding of pharmacy stock control systems
- Demonstrate a knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations / pack sizes.
- Knowledge and experience of a wide range of routine and nonroutine dispensary duties and practices
Desirable
- Awareness of non-pharmaceutical legislation affecting role e.g., COSHH
- Knowledge of financial audit and its role in pharmacy stock control systems
- Demonstrate an awareness of pharmacy purchasing systems.
- Previous supervisory experience
- Ability to plan, organise and deliver service objectives
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrate good oral and written communication.
- Demonstrate planning and organisational skills
- Basic computer skills
Desirable
- Appraisal skills
- Negotiating and influencing skills
- Microsoft office / Microsoft Outlook
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- CSE or GCSE in Maths or English
- 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
- NVQ Level 3 in Management
- Accuracy checking dispensing assistant buttercups qualification or equivalent
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of pharmacy stock control systems
- Significant experience of working within a dispensary environment
- Ability to deliver high quality work to deadline
- Demonstrate an understanding of pharmacy stock control systems
- Demonstrate a knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations / pack sizes.
- Knowledge and experience of a wide range of routine and nonroutine dispensary duties and practices
Desirable
- Awareness of non-pharmaceutical legislation affecting role e.g., COSHH
- Knowledge of financial audit and its role in pharmacy stock control systems
- Demonstrate an awareness of pharmacy purchasing systems.
- Previous supervisory experience
- Ability to plan, organise and deliver service objectives
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrate good oral and written communication.
- Demonstrate planning and organisational skills
- Basic computer skills
Desirable
- Appraisal skills
- Negotiating and influencing skills
- Microsoft office / Microsoft Outlook
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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