The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 14 December 2025

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a Pharmacy Assistant who will work a Saturday / Sunday at the in-patient dispensary for the Freeman and RVI hospitals, to support our the weekend dispensary service.

This position would suit Undergraduate University Student seeking new challenges in an innovative environment who are keen to develop their knowledge and skills in the dispensary setting of a large acute trust.

Interview date: Wednesday 14 January 2026
15 hours/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 a Pharmacy Assistant you will be working in the in-patient dispensary at the which has automated robotic dispensing to facilitate the dispensing of a wide range of prescriptions to various specialties across the Trust.
As key members of the pharmacy team you will work alongside Pharmacist's, Technician's, Assistants and Student's supporting the rapid discharge of our patients 7 days a week. You will also support the timely supply of controlled drugs and a range of other requests for in-patient medicines.
In our new recruit we are looking for individual who is committed to delivering a high quality service to our patients whose personal attributes include: the ability to work accurately in a very busy environment, good communication skills, a professional manner, a flexible team approach and the ability to adapt to and engage in change.
If you thrive in a busy environment and are seeking new development opportunities this could be the role for you.
Please note this is an on-going fixed contract, further funding will be applied for at the end of each period, if successfully granted a further fixed contract will be offered.

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

Date posted

03 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

13 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

317-2025-47-38-DR

Job locations

Royal Victoria Hospital

Newcastle Upon Tyne

NE1 4LP

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
Undertake reception duties at the staff hatch, answer the dispensary telephone and ensure orders/prescriptions are entered on the prescription tracking system.
Provide appropriate support as required to dispensary staff.
Checks off orders received into the dispensary in accordance with procedure.
Replenish the Emergency Drug Cupboard.
Replenish a variety of cardiac arrest boxes.
Issues Controlled Drugs in response to a written order.
Deliver drug bags to wards and departments throughout the hospital.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
Undertake reception duties at the staff hatch, answer the dispensary telephone and ensure orders/prescriptions are entered on the prescription tracking system.
Provide appropriate support as required to dispensary staff.
Checks off orders received into the dispensary in accordance with procedure.
Replenish the Emergency Drug Cupboard.
Replenish a variety of cardiac arrest boxes.
Issues Controlled Drugs in response to a written order.
Deliver drug bags to wards and departments throughout the hospital.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Knowledge of Health and Safety and hygiene in the workplace

Desirable

Knowledge of Hospital Pharmacy
Knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations / pack sizes

SKILLS

Essential

Demonstrate good oral and written communication
Basic computer skills
Good organisational and accuracy skills.
Good customer care skills.

EXPERIENCE

Desirable

Grandparent clause notification to the GPhC
Experience of stock control and stock management

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

Good basic education (e.g. GCSEs or equivalent qualifications) or previous relevant experience
Must commit to undertake an NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services if not already achieved.

Desirable

GCSE (Min. Grade C) or equivalent in Mathematics and English Language or previous relevant experience.
NVQ 2 in pharmacy services

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Knowledge of Health and Safety and hygiene in the workplace

Desirable

Knowledge of Hospital Pharmacy
Knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations / pack sizes

SKILLS

Essential

Demonstrate good oral and written communication
Basic computer skills
Good organisational and accuracy skills.
Good customer care skills.

EXPERIENCE

Desirable

Grandparent clause notification to the GPhC
Experience of stock control and stock management

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

Good basic education (e.g. GCSEs or equivalent qualifications) or previous relevant experience
Must commit to undertake an NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services if not already achieved.

Desirable

GCSE (Min. Grade C) or equivalent in Mathematics and English Language or previous relevant experience.
NVQ 2 in pharmacy services

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.