Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer (ATO)
Employer: NHS Jobs
Location: Shrewsbury, SY3 8DS
Pay: £24,465.00 per year
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Disability Confident: No
Closing Date: 22/04/2026
About this job
* Dispense requests for medication for in-patients, outpatients and clinical trials in accordance with department SOPs under the supervision of a pharmacy professional (excluding Controlled Drugs).
* Assist with general reception duties including receiving prescriptions from patients and members of staff, answering the telephone and dealing with enquiries, ensuring a positive and professional image in keeping with the Trust values.
* Work with customers in a polite and efficient manner, face to face, over the phone, or by electronic methods, to deal with routine enquiries and refer appropriate queries to the relevant member of the pharmacy team.
* Take part in departmental stock takes and stock maintenance including expiry date checking and quarantining short‑dated / expired items.
* Order stock, check orders received against delivery notes, restock shelves, and maintain good stock rotation.
* Complete all necessary documentation and stock transfer using the pharmacy computer system.
* Support with raising orders for external suppliers and homecare; orders requiring sign off by a pharmacy technician or pharmacist.
* Undertake temperature monitoring of refrigerators and room environments and alert senior staff of any excursions outside the normal range.
* Participate in management of medication returns, ensuring recycling and destruction to maximise drug usage and financial resources.
* Liaise with portering and transport services to ensure an adequate service and escalating any failures.
* Maintain accurate computer records, including the use of pharmacy computer systems, patient records, issue and costing of medication issued to all areas of pharmacy, wards, departments and individual patients.
* Support the team in maintaining the safe storage and security of medicines, prescriptions, and confidential information.
* Participate in topping‑up ward/department stock medication and re‑order as necessary.
* Top up emergency medicines cupboard stock, removing short‑dated drugs and replacing appropriately.
* Occasionally deliver medication to wards, including cytotoxic/cytostatic medicines.
* Support day‑to‑day provision of the dispensary service to ensure smooth running: managing documentation, liaising with patients/service users, troubleshooting problems and queries.
* Assist procurement of medicines and arrange transport for collection and delivery of urgent items.
* Pack medicines securely, ready for delivery to wards/departments/clinics, and separate fridge items to ensure refrigeration until collection.
* Contact wards/departments to advise prescriptions are ready for collection.
* Monitor fax and scanner for prescriptions or orders, and undertake photocopying, filing and faxing of documents.
* Participate in audits and end‑of‑year stock takes as necessary.
* Support the department in delivering efficiency schemes.
* Attend pharmacy staff meetings and support efficient communication between members of the pharmacy team.
* Follow all departmental SOPs and undertake specific duties agreed with Chief Technicians and line manager.
Training and Development
* Complete mandatory training as required by the Trust.
* Participate in working toward the Personal Development Plan.
* Attend training courses and meetings to achieve departmental objectives as agreed with the line manager.
* Take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve knowledge and competence.
Working Arrangements
* Pharmacy department is currently open Monday to Friday but may be subject to change.
* Participate in weekend or bank holiday working to support pharmacy services across the Trust.
* Work at another site to cover staff shortages when required.
Communication and Relationships
* Provide excellent communication with pharmacy staff, clinical and managerial staff, patients/service users and carers, couriers and porters, Trust partners such as external suppliers and delivery drivers, and systems and equipment.
Computer Skills
* Standard keyboard skills for using the dispensary computer system to produce dispensary labels and stock sheets in the pharmacy Ascribe system.
* Use of email, Word, internet and other computer applications.
Decisions and Judgement
* Applies general knowledge effectively to the benefit of service delivery.
Physical, Mental and Emotional Demands
* Work across a large Trust, occasionally traveling between sites.
* High levels of concentration and fine manipulation when dispensing, picking, checking stock against delivery/order documents, and dealing with interruptions.
* Occasional exposure to unpleasant conditions and emotional distressing situations, such as dealing with irate patients or service users.
* Carry and pack pharmaceutical supplies, frequently concentrating while processing prescriptions, stock requests and checking wholesaler orders.
* Dexterity and coordination for keyboard and telephony skills; significant use of a VDU.
Responsibilities for Policy/Service Development
* Follow Trust/department policies, SOPs, and may contribute to development of SOPs.
Responsibilities for Human Resources
* Maintain confidentiality and complete appropriate training and support required for the role.
Responsibilities for Research and Development
* Participate in audits and surveys as necessary.
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