Job summary
Senior Pharmacy Assistant
Department: Pharmacy
Band 3 £24,625 - £25,674 per annum
Full time 37.5 per week, shift pattern - Sunday & Bank Holiday roster. All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
It is an exciting time to join the pharmacy team at MKUH; we are continually growing in size and influence and have recently built a new Aseptic Unit and refurbished our main pharmacy department including the installation of a state of the art dispensing robot.
We are a department of over 90 staff providing pharmacy services through team-working and prioritising the needs of those we serve, so evidence of customer service skills would be ad advantage.
Our Senior Pharmacy Assistants provide dispensing services in the hospital pharmacy and work in the pharmacy stores, on the wards. This will broaden your skills and help us to ensure we have a service that can meet all the demands that are placed on it.
If you think that you can fill this role and help yourself and our pharmacy to deliver excellent service, we are interested in receiving your application through NHS Jobs www.nhs.jobs.uk
For further information, please contact Amy Baker on 01908 995719 or amy.baker@mkuh.nhs.uk
Interview date: 05.08.2025
Main duties of the job
- To provide support to the running of the dispensary acting as a trainer and mentor to new staff ensuring that standards are maintained and adhered to.
- To perform under supervision, all types of pharmaceutical work appropriate to the level of knowledge and experience, in order to participate in the provision of pharmaceutical services to hospital patients and staff.
- To manage the purchasing and availability of all consumables used in the dispensary process.
- Help facilitate and organise department projects and audits to continually improve our service.
About us
"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"
"7.33 our of 10 support their team is compassionate and inclusive" (NHS Staff Survey 2024)
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free refreshments
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On-sitenursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Trust responsibilities:
- To perform, under supervision, all types of pharmaceutical work appropriate to the level of knowledge and experience, in order to participate in the provision of pharmaceutical services to hospital patients and staff.
Professional responsibilities:
- To contribute to the Trust compliance with Medicines Management standards and the Clinical Governance and risk Management agendas.
Operational responsibilities (Dispensary):
- To train and supervise new assistants and student technicians as they rotate through the dispensary and robot room.
Miscellaneous:
- To co-operate with staff in other disciplines to help ensure the safe, effective and economic use of drugs.
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Trust responsibilities:
- To perform, under supervision, all types of pharmaceutical work appropriate to the level of knowledge and experience, in order to participate in the provision of pharmaceutical services to hospital patients and staff.
Professional responsibilities:
- To contribute to the Trust compliance with Medicines Management standards and the Clinical Governance and risk Management agendas.
Operational responsibilities (Dispensary):
- To train and supervise new assistants and student technicians as they rotate through the dispensary and robot room.
Miscellaneous:
- To co-operate with staff in other disciplines to help ensure the safe, effective and economic use of drugs.
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- NVQ level 3 Pharmaceutical Sciences (or BTEC, City and Guilds equivalent) or equivalent experience
- Complete on-the-job training
- GCP Training (or willing to undertake).
- Education Supervisor / Train the trainer or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a Pharmacy aseptic environment.
- Education and training of staff.
- Experience in stock control management
Desirable
- Experience of working in a hospital pharmacy department.
- Experience of using the JAC Computer system.
Skills
Essential
- IT Skills for dispensing, monitoring performance and reporting/audit
- Dedication to high quality patient care
- Flexible to meet service and patient need
- Meeting deadlines
- Good training skills
- Evidence of implementing policies and/or proposing changes to practices or procedures for own area with an impact beyond own area and contributes effectively to wider policies and service developments
Desirable
- Team builder skills
- Evidence of analytical and judgemental skills when faced with facts or situations requiring analysis e.g. managing urgent requirements or prioritising work to meet patient and organisational need
- Evidence of effective support for less experienced staff
Personal and people development
Essential
- Positive Commitment to CPD
- Polite and courteous
- Professional attitude
- Initiative
- Self motivated and team player
Communication
Essential
- Good Communication skills, written and verbal.
- Evidence of ability to communicate clearly with patients, carers, hospital/ward staff and primary care or community health services and other organisations about medicines management or other technical information
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- NVQ level 3 Pharmaceutical Sciences (or BTEC, City and Guilds equivalent) or equivalent experience
- Complete on-the-job training
- GCP Training (or willing to undertake).
- Education Supervisor / Train the trainer or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a Pharmacy aseptic environment.
- Education and training of staff.
- Experience in stock control management
Desirable
- Experience of working in a hospital pharmacy department.
- Experience of using the JAC Computer system.
Skills
Essential
- IT Skills for dispensing, monitoring performance and reporting/audit
- Dedication to high quality patient care
- Flexible to meet service and patient need
- Meeting deadlines
- Good training skills
- Evidence of implementing policies and/or proposing changes to practices or procedures for own area with an impact beyond own area and contributes effectively to wider policies and service developments
Desirable
- Team builder skills
- Evidence of analytical and judgemental skills when faced with facts or situations requiring analysis e.g. managing urgent requirements or prioritising work to meet patient and organisational need
- Evidence of effective support for less experienced staff
Personal and people development
Essential
- Positive Commitment to CPD
- Polite and courteous
- Professional attitude
- Initiative
- Self motivated and team player
Communication
Essential
- Good Communication skills, written and verbal.
- Evidence of ability to communicate clearly with patients, carers, hospital/ward staff and primary care or community health services and other organisations about medicines management or other technical information
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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.
