Overview
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279) seeks a Senior Assistant Technical Officer/Storekeeper to support the Receipt & Distribution / Bulk & Stores Manager, Dispensary Leads and Quality Assurance Lead in managing pharmacy storage areas, stock control, quality assurance, and supporting the Pharmacy Automation Lead to ensure the maintenance and smooth day-to-day operations of the Pharmacy service across UHSussex NHS Trust. The closing date is 14 October 2025.
Job responsibilities
Role Summary
* Storage of all pharmaceuticals within the department, including managing and supervising storage areas, expiry date checking and stock rotation.
* Training of pharmacy staff regarding storage areas, expiry date checking and stock rotation.
* Review temperature control for specific storage areas, reporting to the Dispensary, Receipt / Bulk and Distribution / Stores, and Quality Assurance leads on all aspects of temperature management and excursions.
* Ensure NHS Supplies/Sundries stock are receipted and stored in their respective areas and support administrative teams in managing department paperwork, labeling, boxing and distribution to library services for storage.
* Organise and be accountable for day-to-day stock control tasks (including Daily Stock Takes / KTAKE), storage of Pharmaceuticals (including Automation) and supporting Stock Returns.
* Provide high-level supervision and assistance to Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officers (ATOs) for the Dispensary, Receipt and Distribution services across the Trust by supporting stock management and Pharmacy Automation rollout.
* Participate as an active member of the Pharmacy Team, providing line management in line with departmental procedures.
* Participate in ongoing training and development and maintain skills necessary for the role.
* Carry out daily practice in line with Trust values: Communication; Kindness, Understanding and Inclusion; Fairness and Transparency; Working Together.
* Maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders as part of daily responsibilities.
Key Working Relationships
Internal: Pharmacy Department, Pharmacy Receipt & Distribution Team / Stores & Bulk Team, Pharmacy and Ward Staff responsible for Pharmacy stock control, and the extended Pharmacy Trust team; UHSussex NHS Trust Pharmacy Purchasing & Invoicing Team; Other hospital support services.
Maintain good communications with all patients, their carers and relatives.
External: Pharmaceutical Suppliers and representatives including couriers and delivery personnel.
Structure
Pharmacy Receipt & Distribution Structure (UHSussex Hospitals NHS Trust, RSCH, PRH)
* Deputy Chief of Pharmacy (RSCH, RAH, SEH, PRH) (Cross Site)
* Receipt & Distribution
* (RSCH, RAH, SEH)
* Receipt & Distribution
* (PRH)
* Receipt & Distribution Manager (RSCH, RAH, SEH, PRH)
* Chief of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Stores Structure (UHSussex Hospitals NHS Trust, WOR, SRH)
* Deputy Chief of Pharmacy (WOR, SRH)
* (WOR)
* (SRH)
* Chief of Pharmacy
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* Work within own level of assessed competence and participate actively in training and assessment. Take personal responsibility for booking and participating in all statutory & mandatory training required for the role.
* Minimise infection risks and maintain health, safety and security in line with established protocols (e.g., hand hygiene, PPE).
* Maintain patient dignity, privacy and confidentiality at all times.
* Provide concise, legible and accurate data and records from own work (input into Pharmacy computer system CMM and handwritten).
* Provide supervision and support to Pharmacy staff for stock management processes.
* Provide day-to-day management of storage of all pharmaceuticals within the Pharmacy footprint, securely storing stock, ensuring tidiness, correct labeling, rotation of stock to comply with product storage guidelines, and overseeing stock stored in temperature-controlled areas, while presenting stock for efficient issues by Pharmacy staff.
* Supervise and assist Pharmacy ATOs to ensure Daily Stock Takes are printed, checked and investigated to comply with Trust Audit requirements; organise daily stock take counts and complete investigations of errors in stock take sheets, considering expiry dates and short-dated items.
* Support and jointly supervise with Pharmacy ATOs responsible for expiry date checking to ensure all pharmaceutical areas are checked, reported and removed monthly per Quality Assurance procedures.
* Support the Pharmacy Admin team with NHS Sundries ordering and the collection of Pharmacy paperwork for library storage.
* Supervise and assist ATOs in emptying ward boxes and filtering drugs for return, recycling & destruction while following COSHH regulations.
* Aid in training and maintenance of Pharmacy automation processes; liaise with Automation suppliers, Dispensary Lead Technician and Receipt & Distribution / PIPAS Manager to ensure replenishment and supply of fast-moving stocks from the receipt & distribution / bulk area(s) into the Robot and resolve automation issues.
* Supervise and assist with answering calls, emails, and resolving stock or storage enquiries as appropriate.
* Resolve irregular stock discrepancies by liaising with the Dispensary Team, Receipt & Distribution / Stores & Bulk Team and Manager; query CMM discrepancies with a senior staff member.
* Access online temperature areas where Pharmacy stock is located following Temperature Reading procedures; inform senior staff of temperature excursions.
Person Specification
Essential & Desirable
* Basic Pharmacy Receipt & Distribution experience
* Demonstrated knowledge of Pharmacy Receipt, Storekeeping and Distribution
* Experience of Pharmacy Storekeeping/supervising pharmacy staff/processes
* Familiar with Quality Assurance processes within UHSussex NHS Trust
* Pharmacy Receipt & Distribution experience; minimum of 3 GCSEs grade C or above, or equivalent in Maths and English
* Previous or existing Pharmacy Storekeeping experience
* Ability to communicate and develop stock management and working relationships
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Evidence of undertaking own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
* Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles where appropriate to the role
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
£24,937 to £26,598 per annum, pro rata
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