Overview
We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL. With us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations. Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.
Job title and details
Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant Technical Officer
NHS AfC: Band 3
Main area: Pharmacy | Contract: Fixed term – 24 months (Must participate in bank holiday, evening and weekend rotas) | Hours: 30 hours per week (Must participate in bank holiday, evening and weekend rotas) | Job ref: 409-7432997-A
Site: Whiston Hospital, Prescot | Salary: £24,937 - £26,598 per annum, pro rata | Salary period: Yearly | Closing: 13/10/2025 23:59
Notes: After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred recruitment system. You will be able to track progress and receive messages through the Apps.Trac system. By applying, you agree to transferring information to the trust’s applicant management system and, if appointed, into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
Job overview
We are looking for enthusiastic, proactive individuals who communicate well and work accurately and efficiently to a high standard. You will be based within the main dispensary at Whiston Hospital with rotation to the outpatient pharmacy department at St Helens Hospital, assisting in a safe and effective dispensing service.
Duties include routine labelling and dispensing of prescriptions for inpatients and outpatients, handling Controlled Drugs, preparation of extemporaneous medicines, and managing returned medicines. You will rotate to work with ward-based Pharmacy Technicians to provide a ward-based dispensing service. You will participate in weekend and evening rotas to provide a 7-day-a-week service.
Current experience of working within a pharmacy setting is essential (e.g., hospital, community, prison service). Candidates must have completed an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services and hold a recognised dispensing qualification. A GCSE level education or equivalent would be advantageous.
Main duties of the job
Participate with the pharmacy team to provide an efficient and comprehensive pharmaceutical service within the pharmacy departments of Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, under the direction of the Chief Pharmacist. Duties include labelling, dispensing, stock rotation, storage, handling dispensary queries and patient counselling.
Working for our organisation
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9,000 across 21 sites.
We are committed to Five Star Patient Care and provide services across Acute Care, Primary Care, Community Services and Specialist Regional Services. Our achievements include Outstanding by CQC (2018), Top 100 places to work in the NHS, and National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023).
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification. This post will be subject to a standard DBS check (with barred list for Adults and Children’s disclosure).
Please note this vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Has completed a recognised dispensing qualification
Experience
* Experience working in a Pharmacy environment with demonstrable understanding of procedures up to NVQ level 3
* Experience of working with computer systems
* Experience in using CMM/EMIS Pharmacy Computer Systems
Skills
* Good verbal and communication skills, both face to face and on the telephone
* Ability to talk to patients, staff and other health professionals
* Accurate and efficient work with good attention to detail
* Good administration and record-keeping skills
* Concentration and ability to work under pressure
* Hardworking with determination to overcome obstacles and understand the role in context
* Self-motivated team player with ability to motivate the team to achieve objectives
* Reliable, well organised with good time management
Other
* Ability to travel between hospital sites
* Present professional image/appearance
* Supportive of colleagues of all grades
* Ability to participate in the departmental rota for late and weekend working
Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey and West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust.
We may close vacancies earlier than stated if sufficient applications are received.
The Trust may contact you for feedback during recruitment. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and value diversity. We are Disability Confident and will offer interview to disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria. We also offer Guaranteed Interview for armed forces veterans meeting the criteria. We operate anonymous shortlisting and collect equality monitoring information to improve recruitment practices.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Please check eligibility for sponsorship under UK immigration policies before applying.
eVisa updates: Successful candidates on visa routes will receive guidance on entering the UK electronically.
Disclosure and Barring Service check
This post may require DBS disclosure. Costs may be deducted from salary following appointment; enrolment in DBS Update Service is encouraged.
Flexible working
MWL supports flexible working patterns. Applicants may request flexible working from day one and there is no limit on the number of requests.
Working for Team MWL
We recognise staff through awards, reviews and a generous benefits package including a pension, unsocial hours payments where applicable, 27 days annual leave (pro rata) and NHS discounts. We offer wellbeing programmes and support for career development.
The Trust operates a Smoke Free policy across all sites. Applications should be truthful and accurate; the Trust may use AI-detection tools to assess applications.
Additional information: Review the Trusts Values and Behaviours (We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE). An applicant guide is available in supporting documents.
Contact Gill Eddleston, Chief Pharmacy Technician - Dispensary / Stores, gillian.eddleston@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk, Tel: 0151 290 4289
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