North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant

The closing date is 09 September 2025

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic team member with a dispensing qualification to join our Hospital Pharmacy Team. The post holder will contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive and modern pharmacy service by undertaking activities within the pharmacy and at ward level, which provide an efficient and effective delivery of medicines to patients e.g. dispensing medicines to patients, ward services and store based activities. Please note that whilst the posts will be predominantly based between University Hospital of North tees and University Hospital Hartlepool the post holder may be required to work on any site within the University Hospital of Tees Group.

Please do not apply if you do not hold the required dispensing qualification.

Main duties of the job

Day to day working in the dispensary and at ward level following appropriate training.

To provide a safe and effective dispensing service in areas worked, utilising technology such as EMIS Ascribe dispensing system, BD Rowa robots and Omnicell cabinets.

Supporting pharmacy stores service providing checks to assembled ward orders, support for pharmacy homecare service, Omnicell cycle counts, and ensuring sound stock control is carried out in areas covered.

Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation at the Trust are well developed and we aim to provide high quality care with an emphasis on services to patients, through a modernised lean process.

About us

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust our main priority is, and always will be, to provide safe and high quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones. We want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience.

We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development. Staff recognition is very important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Star and Team of the month, colleague recognition - a note of thanks, Managers Awards, Shining Stars and Service Awards.

Details

Date posted

01 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pro rata, per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

345-PHA7407073

Job locations

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick

Stockton on Tees

TS19 8PE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Following established SOPs to dispense prescriptions and requisitions timely and accurately using the ASCribe computer system and robotics. Self-check to ensure quality and accuracy of dispensed items prior to final technical check.

Dispense controlled drug prescriptions and ward orders from Omnicells following SOPs. Accurate entries to be made in controlled drug registers to maintain stock control and legal requirements. Responsible for each individual entry any discrepancies to be reported immediately to manager. Issue controlled drug stationary, prescription pads and requisition books ensuring necessary records are completed to approved staff. Monitor stock levels and inform manager when supplies are required.

Provide dispensing service on wards. Carry out POP service and after completing Medicine Management training and compilation of portfolio, subject to service requirements.

Carry out monthly cycle counts on all Omnicells, and reporting any issue to Principal Pharmacy Technician - Omnicells. Replenish A&E emergency Omnicell on a daily basis using generated reports. Assist Principal Pharmacy Technician in Omnicell project work.

Check the accuracy of the generation and selection of items for ward and departmental orders including ad hoc requisitions assembled by pharmacy assistants following SOPs. Ensure all items are correct, fit for purpose and in date. Inform staff of any discrepancies and ensure correction occurs. This includes use of robotics and Omnicell technology. Site dependent includes the use of Ascribe, robotics and Omnicell.

Responsible for ward stock supplies for designated ward or department. Maintain the stock to agreed levels on a weekly basis following SOPs. Monitor stock to ensure stock in date and fit for purpose. Site dependent includes the use of Ascribe, robotics and Omnicell.

Undertake training to include prescription/requisition/order entry onto the ASCribe computer system, accurate assembly and dispensing of medication, reception duties. Take responsibility for personal development and education including mandatory training via Electronic Staff Record (ESR) and targets set within annual appraisal. Participate in departmental dispensary training of new staff in SOPs and processes.

Responsible for counting daily stock takes, including robotics and Omnicells. Monitor accuracy of stock levels by reporting any discrepancies to line manager to ensure investigation. Maintain stock quality with regular expiry date checks. Dispose of expired / discontinued medication in a safe manner following the trust and departmental waste management procedure and COSHH regulations.

Record Homecare prescriptions against patient medical records using Ascribe Homecare module following SOPs.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Following established SOPs to dispense prescriptions and requisitions timely and accurately using the ASCribe computer system and robotics. Self-check to ensure quality and accuracy of dispensed items prior to final technical check.

Dispense controlled drug prescriptions and ward orders from Omnicells following SOPs. Accurate entries to be made in controlled drug registers to maintain stock control and legal requirements. Responsible for each individual entry any discrepancies to be reported immediately to manager. Issue controlled drug stationary, prescription pads and requisition books ensuring necessary records are completed to approved staff. Monitor stock levels and inform manager when supplies are required.

Provide dispensing service on wards. Carry out POP service and after completing Medicine Management training and compilation of portfolio, subject to service requirements.

Carry out monthly cycle counts on all Omnicells, and reporting any issue to Principal Pharmacy Technician - Omnicells. Replenish A&E emergency Omnicell on a daily basis using generated reports. Assist Principal Pharmacy Technician in Omnicell project work.

Check the accuracy of the generation and selection of items for ward and departmental orders including ad hoc requisitions assembled by pharmacy assistants following SOPs. Ensure all items are correct, fit for purpose and in date. Inform staff of any discrepancies and ensure correction occurs. This includes use of robotics and Omnicell technology. Site dependent includes the use of Ascribe, robotics and Omnicell.

Responsible for ward stock supplies for designated ward or department. Maintain the stock to agreed levels on a weekly basis following SOPs. Monitor stock to ensure stock in date and fit for purpose. Site dependent includes the use of Ascribe, robotics and Omnicell.

Undertake training to include prescription/requisition/order entry onto the ASCribe computer system, accurate assembly and dispensing of medication, reception duties. Take responsibility for personal development and education including mandatory training via Electronic Staff Record (ESR) and targets set within annual appraisal. Participate in departmental dispensary training of new staff in SOPs and processes.

Responsible for counting daily stock takes, including robotics and Omnicells. Monitor accuracy of stock levels by reporting any discrepancies to line manager to ensure investigation. Maintain stock quality with regular expiry date checks. Dispose of expired / discontinued medication in a safe manner following the trust and departmental waste management procedure and COSHH regulations.

Record Homecare prescriptions against patient medical records using Ascribe Homecare module following SOPs.

Person Specification

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to pay good attention to detail.
  • Ability to show initiative where applicable, and also to work within procedural guidelines.
  • Be focused on patient care and the delivery of an effective and efficient service.
  • Demonstrate ability to have a logical approach to problem solving and to form and maintain good working relationships with all staff groups.
  • Works accurately under pressure
  • Good written and verbal communication skills to facilitate the provision of routine information to others including staff and patients

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent

Desirable

  • Maths and English GCSE level 4 or above

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of dispensing and stock control work within a pharmacy
  • Up-to-date knowledge of pharmacy operational procedures and practices
  • Good written and verbal communication skills to facilitate the provision of routine information to others including staff and patients.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in hospital pharmacy
Person Specification

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to pay good attention to detail.
  • Ability to show initiative where applicable, and also to work within procedural guidelines.
  • Be focused on patient care and the delivery of an effective and efficient service.
  • Demonstrate ability to have a logical approach to problem solving and to form and maintain good working relationships with all staff groups.
  • Works accurately under pressure
  • Good written and verbal communication skills to facilitate the provision of routine information to others including staff and patients

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent

Desirable

  • Maths and English GCSE level 4 or above

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of dispensing and stock control work within a pharmacy
  • Up-to-date knowledge of pharmacy operational procedures and practices
  • Good written and verbal communication skills to facilitate the provision of routine information to others including staff and patients.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in hospital pharmacy

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick

Stockton on Tees

TS19 8PE


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick

Stockton on Tees

TS19 8PE


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Pharmacy Technician

Linda Whitaker

linda.whitaker2@nhs.net

01642624361

Details

Date posted

01 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pro rata, per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

345-PHA7407073

Job locations

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick

Stockton on Tees

TS19 8PE


Supporting documents

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