Overview
A business case aimed at improving Medicines Management on our wards with a focus on reducing waste has been approved, resulting in an opportunity to expand the services we currently deliver. This crucial work will form part of a bigger project with the long-term aim of securing further investment to grow the technical pharmacy workforce. This is a great role to start your career as a Ward based Pharmacy Assistant, as you'll receive all the training and support you need to be your best. In our new recruits, we are looking for individuals who are committed to delivering a high quality service to our patients and the trust, whose personal attributes include: accuracy in a busy environment, good communication, professionalism, good time management, a flexible team approach and the ability to adapt to and engage in change.
Previous experience in pharmacy is not required, as you will be provided with competency-based training and support to help you expand your knowledge and experience. Candidates without training or experience in hospital or community pharmacy equivalent to an NVQ level 2 will be considered for an apprenticeship at a Band 2 salary, increasing to Band 3 on completion of the course within 18 months. If you already have experience in pharmacy and hold an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy services or equivalent this post will be appointed to Band 3.
Alongside this role, there are a number of other posts associated with this business case that have been created. The successful candidates will play a crucial role within this team to demonstrate the benefits of having pharmacy involved in the management of medicines at ward level.
We are looking for motivated individuals who have the drive to implement and deliver quality improvement. The successful candidates must be able to work well within a large team and help develop and deliver the Ward Pharmacy service. These roles will be Trust wide – covering areas at both the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital. You will work alongside a Senior Pharmacy Leadership team, Specialist Pharmacy Technician and Senior Ward Medicines Assistant to support the Pharmacy team and senior nursing colleagues with oversight of medication at ward level. This will include the following:
* Dispensing of prescriptions
* Ordering of medication for ward use
* Temperature monitoring
* Participation in audits
* Sustained improved stock management (supporting/rationalising medicine supply processes resulting in significantly less stock on wards)
* Elimination of expired stock on wards
* Reduce waste from medicines by utilising patients own drugs
* Appropriate use of pre-packs
* Ensure the quality and safety of medicines used at ward level is maintained through education and training
* Ensure any data collection is collated and presented in line with departmental/clinical board requirements
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
* Freeman Hospital
* Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
* Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
* Newcastle Dental Hospital
* Newcastle Fertility Centre
* Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
* Northern Genetics Service
* Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS. We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under “Documents to download” or “Supporting documents”. For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Interview date: Tuesday 7 October 2025 • 37 hours 30 minutes per week • You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Band 3 Responsibilities
* To carry out the full range of Dispensing Assistant duties including the dispensing of prescriptions and orders at ward level.
* Provide technical support to the ward clinical pharmacy team, including carrying out the ordering of individual patient medication, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
* Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
* Assess patient’s own drugs (PODs) to ensure that they are suitable for reuse within the Trust and that they are transferred with the patient.
Apprentice Band 2 Responsibilities
* To support with a full range of Dispensing Assistant duties including the dispensing of prescriptions and orders at ward level.
* Provide support to the ward clinical pharmacy team, including carrying out the ordering of individual patient medication, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
* Provide support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
* Support with assessing patient’s own drugs (PODs) to ensure that they are suitable for reuse within the Trust and that they are transferred with the patient.
Apprenticeship Posts: You will need to meet all the eligibility requirements as prescribed by the apprenticeship criteria to undertake the role.
To be eligible for an apprenticeship you must:
* Have the right to work and remain in the UK.
* Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.
* Provide original evidence of required English and maths qualifications.
Further information:
* You will not be considered if you have an equivalent or higher qualification in the same or a very similar subject.
* You must not be engaged in any other funded training or education programme.
* We cannot sponsor applicants during or on successful completion of the apprenticeship so please ensure you meet visa status eligibility.
* We cannot accept applications from student visa applicants.
Please be advised if you are a “Non-UK National” applicant you must meet the eligibility criteria and fulfil the settlement requirements of the apprenticeship course funding. Your settlement status will need to be verified as eligible for funding, by the relevant apprenticeship provider, for you to formally enrol on the course.
Further details can be found on the UK Government website.
This advert closes on Sunday 14 Sep 2025
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