Job summary
We have
an exciting opportunity for a Pharmacy Assistant to join the pharmacy team at
Watford General Hospital. You will be responsible for supporting the provision
of Pharmacy Stores and Distribution services to West Hertfordshire Teaching
Hospitals NHS Trust and non-Trust customers. You will support and manage daily
ward top-ups, including dealing with ward stock and assisting with the supply
chain management of medicines, such as ordering, invoicing, distribution,
delivery, and general stock control. You will also support pharmacists in their
day-to-day duties and manage related clerical and administrative tasks to
ensure the safe and efficient running of the pharmacy service.
Main duties of the job
As a
Pharmacy Assistant you will attend and actively participate in departmental or
sectional meetings, respond to routine and general enquiries received by phone
or in person, and ensure these are directed to the appropriate member of staff
when required. You will work effectively within a multi-disciplinary and
pharmacy team, maintaining clear and professional communication with colleagues
and key stakeholders. You will be responsible for escalating any issues or
concerns promptly to the Stores Supervisor, or in their absence the appropriate
line manager or Chief Pharmacy Technician. You will also contribute to
departmental rotas as required and organise and plan your own workload to meet
service demands and priorities.
About us
Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.
Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges
Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave
Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
To contribute to replenishment activities across clinical areas,
supporting scheduled replenishment cycles and ensuring automated dispensing
equipment is used accurately to maintain availability of items required for
patient care.
-
To process electronic requests within internal inventory platforms,
ensuring timely progression in line with agreed priorities and logistics
schedules for both internal services and external partners.
-
To receive incoming consignments at designated intake points, checking
contents against documentation for correctness, condition, and volume, and
placing items into allocated locations using effective rotation methods to
maintain usability.
-
To support inventory integrity through regular checks and monitoring,
including identifying shortfalls, isolating unsuitable items, and contributing
to investigative actions where variances are identified, while maintaining a
clean, orderly, and secure working environment.
-
To assist with environmental monitoring and compliance activities,
including daily recording exercises and participation in mapping programmes,
ensuring storage conditions consistently meet professional, regulatory, and
local standards at all times.
-
To take part in service enhancement, training, and development activities,
including audit data gathering, completion of mandatory learning, supporting
new starters and learners, adhering to procedural guidance, and working
flexibly to accommodate evolving service needs such as varied working patterns
and operational changes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
To contribute to replenishment activities across clinical areas,
supporting scheduled replenishment cycles and ensuring automated dispensing
equipment is used accurately to maintain availability of items required for
patient care.
-
To process electronic requests within internal inventory platforms,
ensuring timely progression in line with agreed priorities and logistics
schedules for both internal services and external partners.
-
To receive incoming consignments at designated intake points, checking
contents against documentation for correctness, condition, and volume, and
placing items into allocated locations using effective rotation methods to
maintain usability.
-
To support inventory integrity through regular checks and monitoring,
including identifying shortfalls, isolating unsuitable items, and contributing
to investigative actions where variances are identified, while maintaining a
clean, orderly, and secure working environment.
-
To assist with environmental monitoring and compliance activities,
including daily recording exercises and participation in mapping programmes,
ensuring storage conditions consistently meet professional, regulatory, and
local standards at all times.
-
To take part in service enhancement, training, and development activities,
including audit data gathering, completion of mandatory learning, supporting
new starters and learners, adhering to procedural guidance, and working
flexibly to accommodate evolving service needs such as varied working patterns
and operational changes.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSEs in Maths and English (Grade 4+) or equivalent; Science/NVQ Level II desirable.
- Knowledge of stock control, pharmacy systems, and hospital pharmacy procedures.
- Teamwork skills with effective communication to staff, customers, and suppliers.
- IT literate, including MS Word, Excel, and electronic stock systems.
- Understanding of pharmacy regulations, GDP, and safe medicine handling.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSEs in Maths and English (Grade 4+) or equivalent; Science/NVQ Level II desirable.
- Knowledge of stock control, pharmacy systems, and hospital pharmacy procedures.
- Teamwork skills with effective communication to staff, customers, and suppliers.
- IT literate, including MS Word, Excel, and electronic stock systems.
- Understanding of pharmacy regulations, GDP, and safe medicine handling.
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.
