County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Ward Based Pharmacy Assistants
The closing date is 25 February 2026.
To work under the professional direction and supervision of Pharmacy Technicians and pharmacists to perform a variety of routine and nonroutine tasks to support and assist the pharmacy teams to deliver a 7‑day patient focused pharmaceutical service. This will include working between dispensaries, ward based services and distribution areas (stores).
Main duties of the job
In the dispensary, dispense medication on prescriptions and requisitions for in‑patient use, outpatient prescriptions and for discharge, including controlled drugs. Work with pharmacists and technicians at ward level to provide accurate and timely medication from admission to discharge. Perform the weekly top‑up service to allocated wards and assist in the rollout, training and management of Omnicell under supervision of the Omnicell Pharmacy Team.
Job responsibilities
* Ward based clinical support – ensure the availability of medicines throughout patient stay.
* Act as liaison between the pharmacy department and ward staff for prescription progress, queries and dispensing.
* Transfer medicines between wards to minimise re‑ordering and wastage.
* Facilitate compliance aids and communicate with community pharmacy colleagues.
* Support planning and prompting of discharge medicines.
* Assess patients' own drugs (PODs) and document appropriately, highlighting discrepancies and obtaining consent when required.
* Order medicines that are unavailable and reduce omitted doses, especially for critical and high‑risk medicines.
* Provide individual stock replenishment (top‑up) to designated wards, checking expiry dates and maintaining stock levels.
* Distribute ward top‑up orders and book supplies using the pharmacy computer system.
* Dispense all prescriptions, including oral cytotoxic regimes, clinical trials, controlled drugs and unlicensed medication, following safe system practices.
* Participate in core and extended working hours, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Special Requirements
* Availability to work weekends and relevant bank holiday arrangements.
Qualifications
* Good standard of literacy and numeracy (equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics).
* Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent experience) or other accredited in‑house programmes or recognised pharmacy dispensing qualifications (Boots, NPA) and relevant training/experience.
* Obtained or willing to commence CDDFT Medicines Management Module 1: Assessment of Patients Own Drugs within 6 months of employment.
* Evidence of ongoing competency/training.
Experience
* Experience working in a hospital pharmacy.
* Working knowledge of live pharmacy stock control systems.
* Demonstrated experience working in a team.
* Experience in a customer service role.
Special Skills and Knowledge
* Good computer and keyboard skills.
* Responsible, accurate and methodical.
* Ability to demonstrate this approach in a busy environment.
* Attention to detail and ability to carry out instructions.
* Excellent customer service skills for dealing with people.
* Good oral and written communication skills.
* Evidence of personal development and commitment to CPD.
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.
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£24,937 to £26,598 a year pro rata.
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