Job Description

Applications are invited from all dispensing assistants including those who are community-based with no previous hospital experience. This is an excellent opportunity to further your pharmacy career and break into the hospital sector.
The successful candidate will support the smooth running of the pharmacy dispensary ensuring that medication is supplied safely and accurately in a timely manner. You will be required to undertake a broad range of duties and full training will be given
You will be part of an expanding team of highly professional and dedicated staff whose aim is to provide an excellent, patient focus service.
This role would suit someone who is committed to providing high quality patient safety focused care utilising excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work within a large team.
Please refer to the and Person Specification for all essential and desirable criteria required for the role. For further information about the role please contact Helen Laws -- helen.laws@uhb.nhs.uk -- 0121 371 8730
Main duties of the job
The required candidate must have excellent organisational and time management skills as they will be responsible for a variety of dispensary-based activities, they will need to have good attention to detail and be happy working flexibly within a team.
They will:
*Meet the essential criteria of the job specification
*Hold a QCF Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (formerly NVQ) Level 2 Pharmacy Assistant qualification or equivalent.
You role will involve:
*Stock control
*Reviewing stock lists
*Tidying and organising the medication cabinets
*Reception and telephones duties
*Date checking
*Supporting local audits within the department
*Working within a large multi-disciplinary team
*Supporting the training and supervision of other support staff
*Dispensing for in and out-patients
*Participating in late nights, weekends and bank holidays
UHB prides itself on its investment in staff both in terms of developing career skills but also its commitment to staff health and wellbeing.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Details
Date posted
16 January 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,937 to 26,598 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
304-1097462
Job locations
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Mindelsohn Way
Birmingham
West Midlands
B15 2TH
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached * Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached *
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• * GCSE grade C or above in Mathematics and English (or equivalent)
• * NVQ level 2 Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills (QCF), BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science
• or
• * Accredited Dispensing Assistants Course (NPA)

Experience
Essential

• * Post NVQ level 2 qualification developmental experience of a range of dispensing with formal training and annual revalidated accreditation as a dispenser
• * Understanding of pharmacy related computer systems
• * Understanding of Health and Safety at Work, manual handling and COSHH
• * Understanding of dispensing, stock control and supply systems and processes
• * Knowledge of stock control systems
• * Knowledge of code of practice/customer care
• * Understands the need for delivering a cost effective service and the required work practices to reduce waste

Desirable

• * Previous experience within a pharmacy setting
• * Experience in staff training
• * Working Knowledge of JAC pharmacy system
• * Knowledge of drugs, side effects & where to find further information

Additional Criteria
Essential

• * Able to reflect on own practice and learn from experience
• * Able to identify customer needs and deliver services to the required level
• * Able to communicate at an appropriate level complex information verbally, written and electronically as required
• * Demonstrates ability to work to set procedures
• * Takes responsibility for own work and actions and contributes to the team success
• * Demonstrates I.T and keyboard skills
• * Demonstrates ability to recognise professional and personal limitations referring to appropriate person when necessary
• * Demonstrates ability to undertake a variety of tasks
• * Demonstrates numeracy skills
• * Demonstrates ability to work independently
• * Demonstrates ability to maintain accuracy under pressure
• * Demonstrates ability to deal with frequent interruptions e.g. bleeps/pagers
• * Able to maintain confidentiality of information
• * Able to adapt to change
• * Demonstrates ability to prioritise and organise daily tasks using own initiative
• * Good time management
• * Able to demonstrate discretion and diplomacy
• * Strong attention to detail
• * Reliable
• * Ability to travel to all UHB sites
• * Flexible to work in accordance with service needs
• * Committed to abide by the Trust vision and values
• * Able to lift moderate weights (up to 15kg)

Desirable

• *Demonstrates ability to guide and train others

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• * GCSE grade C or above in Mathematics and English (or equivalent)
• * NVQ level 2 Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills (QCF), BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science
• or
• * Accredited Dispensing Assistants Course (NPA)

Experience
Essential

• * Post NVQ level 2 qualification developmental experience of a range of dispensing with formal training and annual revalidated accreditation as a dispenser
• * Understanding of pharmacy related computer systems
• * Understanding of Health and Safety at Work, manual handling and COSHH
• * Understanding of dispensing, stock control and supply systems and processes
• * Knowledge of stock control systems
• * Knowledge of code of practice/customer care
• * Understands the need for delivering a cost effective service and the required work practices to reduce waste

Desirable

• * Previous experience within a pharmacy setting
• * Experience in staff training
• * Working Knowledge of JAC pharmacy system
• * Knowledge of drugs, side effects & where to find further information

Additional Criteria
Essential

• * Able to reflect on own practice and learn from experience
• * Able to identify customer needs and deliver services to the required level
• * Able to communicate at an appropriate level complex information verbally, written and electronically as required
• * Demonstrates ability to work to set procedures
• * Takes responsibility for own work and actions and contributes to the team success
• * Demonstrates I.T and keyboard skills
• * Demonstrates ability to recognise professional and personal limitations referring to appropriate person when necessary
• * Demonstrates ability to undertake a variety of tasks
• * Demonstrates numeracy skills
• * Demonstrates ability to work independently
• * Demonstrates ability to maintain accuracy under pressure
• * Demonstrates ability to deal with frequent interruptions e.g. bleeps/pagers
• * Able to maintain confidentiality of information
• * Able to adapt to change
• * Demonstrates ability to prioritise and organise daily tasks using own initiative
• * Good time management
• * Able to demonstrate discretion and diplomacy
• * Strong attention to detail
• * Reliable
• * Ability to travel to all UHB sites
• * Flexible to work in accordance with service needs
• * Committed to abide by the Trust vision and values
• * Able to lift moderate weights (up to 15kg)

Desirable

• *Demonstrates ability to guide and train others

Skills Required