Overview
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer
The closing date is 10 October 2025
This post would be suitable for someone who is looking to start their career in Hospital Pharmacy. We are looking for enthusiastic, flexible and well-motivated individuals to join our existing Pharmacy team. The successful candidates will rotate between Pharmacy stores and Whiston and St Helens Hospital dispensaries, and participate in our evening, weekend and bank holiday rotas. Attention to detail is essential, as is an ability to work accurately in a fast-paced environment with other members of the Pharmacy team. Good communication skills and a willingness to learn is important. Candidates ideally should possess NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Service skills or a GPhC recognised equivalent qualification, however training can be provided. A good standard of education (to GCSE level) would be advantageous. The JD & PS are currently under AfC review and are subject to change.
Main duties of the job
* To participate in the ATO rota through areas of the stores dispensaries and wards.
* To assist in the receipt of prescriptions.
* To participate in pharmacy services to wards and clinics primarily to maintain and control medicines.
* To assist in booking in and auditing prescriptions, using the latest software.
* To prepare and assemble supplies of medicines for delivery to wards and departments.
* To assist in the receipt, storage and issue of stock including the maintenance of manual and computerised records.
* To assist in the provision of a ward topping up service, supplying stock medication to wards on a weekly basis.
* To co-operate with the provision of necessary staffing within the pharmaceutical service and participate in staff rotation to other sites e.g. St Helens.
* To assist in the preparation and assembly of resuscitation and anaphylaxis boxes.
* To participate in stock control of medicines within the pharmacy department under the supervision of the dispensary manager or senior technician.
* Regularly handle or process cash or cheques when dealing with outpatients prescriptions.
* To comply with the legal and other requirements related to the purchase, supply, use, safe custody and destruction of drugs both within the Pharmacy and in all other areas of the Trust.
* To participate in the Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday rotas.
* To participate in evening and on-call rotas in response to the changing needs of the service.
* To assist with basic counselling of outpatients in accordance with pharmacy procedures and under the supervision of a pharmacist or Pharmacy technician.
* To answer telephone and face to face queries of a routine or basic technical nature from a wide range of staff groups, patients and the public, either in the pharmacy or on the ward, and refer appropriate queries to the relevant member of the pharmacy team when necessary.
* To liaise with various members of the Pharmacy team and ward staff when solving supply problems and ensuring the best service to patients.
* To ensure safety of drugs awaiting collection by nursing staff and other responsible persons
* To participate in individual performance review and continuing education programmes in order to maintain and improve standards of service.
* To be responsible for the accurate input of data into the Pharmacy JAC computer system for all duties requiring its use e.g. Ordering and stock control.
* To assist in the completion and filing of departmental documents.
* To record any information and assist in the compilation of any data necessary.
* To act as a role model and assist in the training and induction of other members of the technical staff.
* To undertake and achieve the NVQ level 2 Pharmacy service skills qualification in accordance with GPhC guidance.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NVQ LEVEL II in Pharmacy Services (hold or work towards)
Other
* Physical Effort - To sit at VDU, to push, pull and handle deliveries of drugs
* Mental Effort - To concentrate for stock issue and checking
Knowledge and Experience
* Dispensing Assistant
Skills
* Good communication skills, both written and verbal
* Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
* Ability to pay attention to detail
* Ability to work to a high specification of accuracy
* Ability to understand the importance of confidentiality
* Commitment to Continual Professional Development
* Self-motivating and flexible
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
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
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