Job Summary
Working Full time : 37.5 hours per week
Are you an experienced dispenser seeking new challenges in hospital pharmacy or a pharmacy assistant who has completed NVQ level 2 in pharmacy services or equivalent? We are seeking a flexible, conscientious, reliable and motivated individual with a positive attitude to join our pharmacy team. The ability to work under pressure is essential.
Based in the Dispensary at the Countess of Chester Hospital you will work as a member of our pharmacy team in the delivery of an efficient pharmacy service to all service users. You must be able work under pressure and communicate effectively in a number of situations with a variety of people including patients, pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals. Duties will include reception cover, ordering and receipt of pharmaceutical orders, pre-packing and over-labelling of medication, replenishing and overseeing the supply of cardiac arrest boxes, storage and disposal of patients own medication, ward returns and participation in the dispensing rota.
Inclusion in weekend working & Bank Holiday rota paid as extra
Main duties of the job
* To carry out accurately and efficiently the dispensing of prescriptions, including unlicensed and named-patient medication, oral cytotoxic, controlled drugs and Patient's own medication in accordance with the agreed safe systems of work practice; This includes drug's strength, formulation, pack size, expiry date and quantity, in line with departmental procedures.
* To prepare blister packs for designated patients
* To extemporaneously dispense medicines in accordance with COSHH regulations and standard operating procedures.
* Be aware of department dispensing Key Performance Indicators, work towards achieving them and reporting breaches.
* To input and maintain accurate computer and register records for controlled drugs, unlicensed drugs and named-patient medication according to departmental procedures.
About Us
The Trust's services are provided from three locations:
* The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
* Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
* Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery.
Details
Date posted 04 February 2026
Pay scheme Agenda for change
Band Band 3
Salary £24,937 to £26,598 a year pa
Contract Permanent
Working pattern Full-time
Reference number 210-2026-47
Job locations Countess of Chester Hospital, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1UL
Job Description
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies. New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above. Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date. Good luck with your application.
Person Specification
Essential
* English and Maths GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent qualification)
* NVQ level 2 Pharmacy service or equivalent experience
* Experience in a pharmacy setting receiving and issuing medicines
* Knowledge of medicines
* Ability to participate in training programmes and successfully demonstrate the required competence
* Experience in dealing with members of the public in a service capacity to ensure good customer service
* Commitment to CPD, further education and career development
* Understanding of stock holding and rotation
Desirable
* NPA Interact in Over the counter medication
* Knowledge of procedures for own pharmacy area and ability to follow them
* Experience of good organisational and time management skills
* Experience in Hospital / Community pharmacy
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 details
Employer name Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Countess of Chester Hospital, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1UL
Employer's website https://www.coch.nhs.uk/working-with-us.aspx
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