Pharmacy Assistant
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of around 600,000 people. We are a high‑performing organisation with a track record of success.
Closing date: 08 May 2026.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated pharmacy assistant to join the CDDFT Pharmacy Team and participate in the provision of a comprehensive pharmaceutical service.
All posts are based at Darlington Memorial Hospital and the University Hospital of North Durham primarily with an emphasis on the technical aspects of dispensing and supply of medicines, with elements of goods receipt, storage and distribution of medicines. All posts have a responsibility for ward and department top‑up supply and there may be a necessity to cross‑cover between areas after appropriate training.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
When a certificate is required in the person specification you must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification in order to complete pre‑employment checks.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for delivering a high‑quality dispensing and supply service, including dispensing, stock control, purchase and storage of medicines and participating in the ward stock top‑up service to allocated wards ensuring that the requirements of the ward are met at all times. The post holder will rotate through the dispensary and pharmacy stores areas, where appropriate.
Job responsibilities
* Prescription process/issue and receipt
* Undertake reception duties including the receipt, validation and prioritisation of prescriptions and the issuing of prescriptions to wards/departments or other health care professionals
* Check the exemption status of the patient on receipt of an out‑patient prescription and where appropriate calculate the prescription charge due and ensure that documentation is completed and passed to finance for payment according to Trust SFIs
* Enter the patients details on the prescription tracking database, where applicable
* Take responsibility for the dispensing and issue of all prescriptions within their knowledge and skills including oral cytotoxic regimes, clinical trials, in‑patient and out‑patient prescriptions using the pharmacy computer system, ensuring that accurate documentation and records are maintained to comply with legal requirements
* Develop a robust self‑checking technique to ensure accurate dispensing and calculation of doses are carried out prior to passing for a final check to ensure the accuracy of temporary stock items supplied directly to wards and departments
* Ensure the accuracy of temporary non‑stock items supplied directly to wards and departments
* Dispense controlled drug prescriptions and stock orders
* Ensure accurate entries are recorded in controlled drug registers to maintain stock control and legal requirements
* Ensure the receipt, storage, safe and secure handling and supply of controlled drugs
* Monitor issues from the out‑of‑hours Emergency Drug Cupboard daily and ensure stock is replaced
* Check expiry dates once a month and ensure stock is ordered in advance to maintain availability
* Inform the lead technician of any discrepancies
* Assist in the assembly and issue of emergency boxes, ensuring accurate records are maintained
* Provide a stock replenishment service (top‑up) to designated wards and departments to ensure good stock control, checking expiry dates of ward stock and ensuring sufficient stock of medicines
* Liaise with the pharmacy team to ensure that stock levels are set at the correct level
* Accurately assemble ward top‑up orders and book out ward supplies using the pharmacy computer system
* Process returned stock from wards and departments
* Communicate with the appropriate person regarding any supply problems
* Ensure dispensing areas are adequately stocked
* Order out‑of‑stock medication and follow items
* Ensure the receipt, storage, safe and secure handling and supply of pharmaceutical products is undertaken
* Forward any problems upon receipt of goods promptly to the procurement team to enable discrepancies to be dealt with in a timely manner (including return to suppliers, damaged and short‑dated stock)
* Ensure that all nutritional products are booked out and supplied to requesting wards on a daily basis
* Ensure that all working practices comply with Good Distribution Practice (GDP)
* Ensure that all goods received are accurately booked on the pharmacy computer system and put away appropriately
* Maintain the intravenous fluid storage area ensuring good stock rotation is carried out
* Ensure that all ambient and refrigerated temperatures are recorded on a daily basis in all areas within pharmacy and that logs are downloaded weekly
* Handle and dispose of waste or expired medicines correctly
* Participate in regular stock checks and expiry checks within the department
* Ensure stock is rotated correctly whilst putting dispensary stock away
* Check expiry dates on a regular basis. Book out expired stock from the computer system and highlight items that are close to their expiry date
* Ensure stock is booked out to the correct patient, consultant and ward to aid accurate financial reporting through the pharmacy computer system and that stock levels are correct and sufficient
* Highlight stock discrepancies to the Lead Pharmacy Technician
Person Specification
Qualifications
* GCSE English and Maths (Grade C and above) (or equivalent)
* Commitment to CPD
* Accredited Level 2 Qualification in Pharmacy Services, or equivalent experience
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Good computer and keyboard skills. Organised, methodical and accurate approach to tasks and able to demonstrate this approach in a busy environment
* Excellent skills for dealing with people
* Good time keeping and ability to work under pressure. Good oral and written communication skills. Evidence of personal development
* Basic understanding of stock control
* Demonstrate an interest in learning about drugs and their uses and hospital pharmacy work
Experience
* Experience of dealing with the public
* Experience of working in a team
* Working knowledge of live pharmacy stock control systems (including robotic systems)
* Previous experience of working in a dispensing environment in either a hospital or retail setting or of working in a hospital pharmacy store
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
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