Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Assistant Technical Officer to join our busy dispensary at The Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, for a 12 month fixed term maternity leave cover.
The post holder will provide a supervisory role to the pharmacy team within the dispensary, assisting in the secure, safe and effective running of the pharmacy dispensary at all times.
Main duties of the job
To assist in the supervision of the processes and associated activities of all dispensary supply services conducted at Royal Sussex County Hospital. To liaise and deputise for the Dispensary Service Lead Pharmacy Technician as needed.
To assist and supervise the education and training of new and rotating staff through dispensary services. To team lead and supervise the work of band 2 Assistant Technical Officers
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Duties and responsibilites:
1. To assist in the secure the safe and effective running of the pharmacy dispensary at all times
2. Working together with the pharmacy porters to deliver medication to the patients at appropriate times required.To communicate workflow throughout the dispensary and escalate to seniors where necessary
3. Communicate effectively, providing and receiving routine information both verbally and in writing to ensure a seamless dispensary process
4. To communicate current workflow and any issues out to the department when needed using appropriate communication tools
5. Accurately label and dispense medications using CMM and PTS computer systems
6. Ensure SOPs relating to the dispensary are accessible and followed by all staff working within the dispensary, included those related to controlled drugs.
7. Participate in audits of the service including data collection and retrieval
8. To deputise for the Dispensary Services Lead Pharmacy Technician in their absence
9. To prioritise, delegate and manage workload and flow
10. To assist and supervise in the education and training of new and existing members of staff.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Person specification
Experience and Qualification
Essential criteria
11. NVQ Level 2 in pharmaceutical sciences or equivalent
12. Pharmacy work-based experience equivalent to NVQ Level 3
13. Customer service experience
14. Experience of working in a supervisory capacity within a pharmacy department
Desirable criteria
15. Practice supervisor qualification
16. Knowledge of CMM computer systems
Skills
Essential criteria
17. Accurate knowledge and evidence of reconstitution and water measurements
18. Dispensing of oral chemotherapy, including evidence of competency
19. Dispensing of medication including assembly of blister pack medication, including evidence of competency
20. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Desirable criteria
21. Knowledge of CareFlow Medicines Management CMM. pharmacy computer system
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
22. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
23. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications