Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant (Senior ATO)

The closing date is 29 April 2026

Job summary

Come and join the Pharmacy Team at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust!

We are seeking a motivated and hardworkingSenior Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant (post is equivalent to a Senior Assistant Technical Officer/Pharmacy ATO role) to join our dedicated Pharmacy Team.

You will be responsible for the supply and maintenance of stock medicines to all wards and departments and organising, planning, supervising the day to day work of other Assistant Technical Officers/ATOs using rotas and competency based training packages to ensure a safe and effective supply of medicines in the Trust.

The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, the ability to follow standard operating procedures, and a flexible, committed approach to work. You should be able to work effectively both as part of a team and independently, managing your workload and prioritising tasks as needed.

The successful candidate will have ; already completed a Level 2 in Pharmacy Services, have relevant underpinning knowledge, previous experience working in a pharmacy environment and previous experience developing and delivering competency based training packages.

Main duties of the job

o To organise, plan and supervise the day to day activities of other pharmacy assistants in the Dispensary or on the wards to ensure an effective service is maintained.o To assist in the development of competency based training packages for Pharmacy Assistants within the Dispensary/wardso To assist in the co-ordination of suitable rotas within the department.o To ensure that effective systems are in place for maintenance of good stock controlo To assist in the safe and effective supply of medicineso To safely dispense and issue prescriptions which have been clinically screened by a pharmacist on Near Patient Pharmacy (NPP) wards and in the Dispensary

About us

The Pharmacy team is innovative, caring and compassionate and provides Pharmacy services to a wide range of paediatric surgical and medical specialties. We are patient focused and passionate about upholding Trust values in order to provide the best possible service.

The Pharmacy department consists of a wide range of personnel; Pharmacists, Technicians and Assistant Technical Officers, working together as a team in a busy environment.

Details

Date posted

16 April 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

Reference number

411-MED-26-7853200

Job locations

Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Eaton Road

West Derby

L12 2AP


Job description

Job responsibilities

See Job Description Job Description

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. To be responsible for the supervision and co-ordination of the activities of other pharmacy assistants and assign tasks as necessary to ensure service needs are met. This may include the production of rotas.

2. To organise, develop and deliver the training of pharmacy assistants using competency based training packages.

3. To develop and routinely review job related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

4. To plan and organise induction training for new members of staff.

5. Accurately dispense prescriptions or other medication orders, including extemporaneous prescriptions, unlicensed drugs, controlled drugs, cytotoxic drugs, clinical trial medication and in-patient and out-patient prescriptions in accordance with the agreed safe systems of work practice in a safe and timely manner.

6. To carry out agreed local service audits ensuring regular reports are available on request.

7. To work closely with the Near Patient Pharmacy (NPP) technicians on the wards to ensure an efficient and robust NPP service, observing the relevant guides to good dispensing practice and any other recommendations from the Department of Health or medicines inspectorate.

8. Assist in maintaining reasonable stock levels, in accordance with current local policies, in the area of the pharmacy in which the post holder is currently employed and to assist in ensuring correct storage, stock rotation and expiry checks to maintain quality and potency. This should also include investigation into stock discrepancies and destruction of drugs within Pharmacy and other areas of the Trust.

9. To undertake basic non-complex patient counselling in the Outpatient Pharmacy and answer queries on supply, availability and administration of medicines within their competence.

10. To participate in the preparation of extemporaneous products demonstrating Good Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practice and adhering to Health and Safety and COSHH requirements.

11. To assist in the dispensing and accurate record keeping of Controlled Drugs (CDs) kept in the pharmacy including supplies to wards and departments, outpatient and discharge prescriptions and orders received into the pharmacy.

12. To be involved in the recruitment of assistants and delivery of Personal Development Reviews (PDRs)

13. To ensure the safe and effective transportation of medicines from the pharmacy department.

14. To assist in the maintenance of the electronic temperature monitoring system (Tutela) to ensure correct drug storage conditions are upheld.

15. To use the pharmacy computer system to issue, label and return medicines in accordance with level of training provided.

16. To supervise and organise the Emergency Box service in the Trust. This should include the delivery of staff training and maintenance of the database.

17. To be responsible for the delivery of the practical manual handling training within the department to all relevant staff.

18. To participate in the dispensing of clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, ICH GCP guidelines and European Directive under the direction of the clinical trials technician/pharmacist.

19. To receive, check and store drug requisition orders from the pharmacy stores and input these into the pharmacy computer system.

20. To answer telephone and face to face queries of a routine or basic technical nature from a wide range of staff groups, either in the pharmacy or on the ward, within their limits of authority, referring appropriate queries to the relevant member of the pharmacy team when necessary.

21. To undertake further training opportunities, as identified through appraisal and performance monitoring systems and attain a high level of expertise and to maintain high standards of work at all times. The post holder will be expected to participate in any appropriate training provided and will be encouraged to take part in any other education, activity or research project which may be offered.

22. To participate in the development and future requirements of the service to provide a flexible, high quality service and improve patient care.

23. To participate in the general cleanliness and tidiness of the department

Job description

Job responsibilities

See Job Description Job Description

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. To be responsible for the supervision and co-ordination of the activities of other pharmacy assistants and assign tasks as necessary to ensure service needs are met. This may include the production of rotas.

2. To organise, develop and deliver the training of pharmacy assistants using competency based training packages.

3. To develop and routinely review job related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

4. To plan and organise induction training for new members of staff.

5. Accurately dispense prescriptions or other medication orders, including extemporaneous prescriptions, unlicensed drugs, controlled drugs, cytotoxic drugs, clinical trial medication and in-patient and out-patient prescriptions in accordance with the agreed safe systems of work practice in a safe and timely manner.

6. To carry out agreed local service audits ensuring regular reports are available on request.

7. To work closely with the Near Patient Pharmacy (NPP) technicians on the wards to ensure an efficient and robust NPP service, observing the relevant guides to good dispensing practice and any other recommendations from the Department of Health or medicines inspectorate.

8. Assist in maintaining reasonable stock levels, in accordance with current local policies, in the area of the pharmacy in which the post holder is currently employed and to assist in ensuring correct storage, stock rotation and expiry checks to maintain quality and potency. This should also include investigation into stock discrepancies and destruction of drugs within Pharmacy and other areas of the Trust.

9. To undertake basic non-complex patient counselling in the Outpatient Pharmacy and answer queries on supply, availability and administration of medicines within their competence.

10. To participate in the preparation of extemporaneous products demonstrating Good Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practice and adhering to Health and Safety and COSHH requirements.

11. To assist in the dispensing and accurate record keeping of Controlled Drugs (CDs) kept in the pharmacy including supplies to wards and departments, outpatient and discharge prescriptions and orders received into the pharmacy.

12. To be involved in the recruitment of assistants and delivery of Personal Development Reviews (PDRs)

13. To ensure the safe and effective transportation of medicines from the pharmacy department.

14. To assist in the maintenance of the electronic temperature monitoring system (Tutela) to ensure correct drug storage conditions are upheld.

15. To use the pharmacy computer system to issue, label and return medicines in accordance with level of training provided.

16. To supervise and organise the Emergency Box service in the Trust. This should include the delivery of staff training and maintenance of the database.

17. To be responsible for the delivery of the practical manual handling training within the department to all relevant staff.

18. To participate in the dispensing of clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, ICH GCP guidelines and European Directive under the direction of the clinical trials technician/pharmacist.

19. To receive, check and store drug requisition orders from the pharmacy stores and input these into the pharmacy computer system.

20. To answer telephone and face to face queries of a routine or basic technical nature from a wide range of staff groups, either in the pharmacy or on the ward, within their limits of authority, referring appropriate queries to the relevant member of the pharmacy team when necessary.

21. To undertake further training opportunities, as identified through appraisal and performance monitoring systems and attain a high level of expertise and to maintain high standards of work at all times. The post holder will be expected to participate in any appropriate training provided and will be encouraged to take part in any other education, activity or research project which may be offered.

22. To participate in the development and future requirements of the service to provide a flexible, high quality service and improve patient care.

23. To participate in the general cleanliness and tidiness of the department

Person Specification

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

  • working accurately to standard operating procedures
  • being able to adapt to computer packages
  • experience of stock maintenance
  • Previous experience working within a Pharmacy environment

Desirable

  • Planning and delivering PDRs

Education and Training

Essential

  • Possesses Level 2 Pharmacy Services qualification

Desirable

  • Practical manual handling training

Skills

Essential

  • Good organisational skills and working under pressure
  • Ability to work in a team and unsupervised
  • Accuracy and good attention to detail
  • Effective Communicator
  • Good time management skills
Person Specification

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

  • working accurately to standard operating procedures
  • being able to adapt to computer packages
  • experience of stock maintenance
  • Previous experience working within a Pharmacy environment

Desirable

  • Planning and delivering PDRs

Education and Training

Essential

  • Possesses Level 2 Pharmacy Services qualification

Desirable

  • Practical manual handling training

Skills

Essential

  • Good organisational skills and working under pressure
  • Ability to work in a team and unsupervised
  • Accuracy and good attention to detail
  • Effective Communicator
  • Good time management skills

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

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Eaton Road

West Derby

L12 2AP


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Eaton Road

West Derby

L12 2AP


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Pharmacy Technician

Stephen Hazlehurst

stephen.hazlehurst@alderhey.nhs.uk

01512525669

Details

Date posted

16 April 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

Reference number

411-MED-26-7853200

Job locations

Alder Hey Children's Hospital

Eaton Road

West Derby

L12 2AP


Supporting documents

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