Job Description

Pharmacy Assistant for distributionWould you like a challenging job that really makes a difference? Could you play an important part within a busy pharmacy team and help with the preparation and supply of medicines to patients? If this interests you, then we would like to hear from you. The GSTT distribution team currently have vacancies for pharmacy assistants to aid in restocking ward drug cabinets using the Omnicell system, maintaining and optimizing the automated software and hardware and providing a safe and accurate service for patients.All pharmacy assistants work alongside pharmacy technicians and pharmacists and form an integral part of the pharmacy team.
You will be required to complete a level 2 qualification in pharmacy services over 12 months and will need a minimum A-C pass at GCSE level in mathematics, English and science or equivalent.
Candidates will be required to produce the certificates to enrol for the course.A logical approach to tasks and an appreciation for working to established Standard Operating Procedures are very important as our patients rely on us to provide exceptional care.
Main duties of the job
The postholder is responsible for receiving medicines from suppliers, inventory control and supplying medicines to all areas in the hospital as stock and dispensed for patients to take home.
The postholder will also work with robotic technology and Omnicell cabinets.
About us
Guy's andSt Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Guy's & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK's busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King's Health Partners - we are one of England's eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research's biomedical research centres, established with King's College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
We have around 22,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.
Date posted
29 April 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 2
Salary
xc2xa329,583 a year p.a. inc HCA
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
196-LIS9494
Job locations
Guys and St Thomas' Inpatient Pharmacy Stores
Westminster Bridge Road and Great Maze Pond
London
SE1 7EH
Job description
Job responsibilities
Stores and Distribution

• To work within Standard Operating procedures for the Store and Distribution area.
• To receive medicines into stock from wholesalers and manufacturers, separating CDs, unlicensed and bonded medicines, IV fluids and cold storage products
• To move all medicinal stock to the correct pharmacy location when received on EPIC
• To ensure that clinical trial medicines, investigational medicinal products IMPs are taken directly to the named clinical trial area on delivery to the pharmacy stores or dispensary
• To participate in the topping up service, ordering and maintaining stock for wards/departments/theatre and clinic areas against agreed stock lists
• To supply medicines to the Omnicell cabinets including the use of barcoding of stock products into the cabinets, expiry date and stock adjustments
• To report on and follow up on the overstocking, understocking and review of stock levels
• To issue stock on the pharmacy computer system against a written or electronic order
• To pick requisitioned items and pack into stock containers and return the completed orders to the requisitioning point
• To collect and deliver pharmaceuticals, intravenous and irrigation fluids to ward/department/theatre areas, obtaining staff signatures as proof of delivery
• To ensure that pharmaceuticals products returned to the pharmacy store are checked for the suitability for re-issue and that returns are made using the EPIC computer system
• To file delivery notes. requisitioned orders and prescriptions in date order
• To count daily inventory of stock using EPIC and expiry date check medicines
• To remove expired and damaged stock
• To deliver stock medicines and dispensed medicines to all wards, clinics, departments and theatres 7 days per week. Green bags, boxes and IV fluids
• To maintain the level of consumables including containers, bags, stationery, water for dilution, spoons, syringes and yellow disposal bins
• To clean and tidy shelves and equipment including the bulk fluid store
• Robot maintenance and ensuring all medicines are processed correctly into and out of the Robot
• To remove waste medicines to the Pharmacy disposal area and dispose of safely
• To answer the telephone according to hospital guideline
• To assemble pharmaceuticals for Retrieval packs following Standard Operating Procedures and Health and Safety
• Any other duties required which are judged to be within the competency of the pharmacy assistant grade, with appropriate training where required

Dispensary

• To ensure that procedures relating to good dispensing practices are followed, and to encourage and maintain high standards and orderly methods of working
• To participate in dispensing of inpatient and take home medication in line with dispensing standard

Training

• To undertake the full CQF Pharmacy Services Level 2 with optional units relevant to practice area
• To undertake and record CPD.

Job description
Job responsibilities
Stores and Distribution

• To work within Standard Operating procedures for the Store and Distribution area.
• To receive medicines into stock from wholesalers and manufacturers, separating CDs, unlicensed and bonded medicines, IV fluids and cold storage products
• To move all medicinal stock to the correct pharmacy location when received on EPIC
• To ensure that clinical trial medicines, investigational medicinal products IMPs are taken directly to the named clinical trial area on delivery to the pharmacy stores or dispensary
• To participate in the topping up service, ordering and maintaining stock for wards/departments/theatre and clinic areas against agreed stock lists
• To supply medicines to the Omnicell cabinets including the use of barcoding of stock products into the cabinets, expiry date and stock adjustments
• To report on and follow up on the overstocking, understocking and review of stock levels
• To issue stock on the pharmacy computer system against a written or electronic order
• To pick requisitioned items and pack into stock containers and return the completed orders to the requisitioning point
• To collect and deliver pharmaceuticals, intravenous and irrigation fluids to ward/department/theatre areas, obtaining staff signatures as proof of delivery
• To ensure that pharmaceuticals products returned to the pharmacy store are checked for the suitability for re-issue and that returns are made using the EPIC computer system
• To file delivery notes. requisitioned orders and prescriptions in date order
• To count daily inventory of stock using EPIC and expiry date check medicines
• To remove expired and damaged stock
• To deliver stock medicines and dispensed medicines to all wards, clinics, departments and theatres 7 days per week. Green bags, boxes and IV fluids
• To maintain the level of consumables including containers, bags, stationery, water for dilution, spoons, syringes and yellow disposal bins
• To clean and tidy shelves and equipment including the bulk fluid store
• Robot maintenance and ensuring all medicines are processed correctly into and out of the Robot
• To remove waste medicines to the Pharmacy disposal area and dispose of safely
• To answer the telephone according to hospital guideline
• To assemble pharmaceuticals for Retrieval packs following Standard Operating Procedures and Health and Safety
• Any other duties required which are judged to be within the competency of the pharmacy assistant grade, with appropriate training where required

Dispensary

• To ensure that procedures relating to good dispensing practices are followed, and to encourage and maintain high standards and orderly methods of working
• To participate in dispensing of inpatient and take home medication in line with dispensing standard

Training

• To undertake the full CQF Pharmacy Services Level 2 with optional units relevant to practice area
• To undertake and record CPD.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Demonstrates communication skills

Desirable

• Previous hospital experience

Skills
Essential

• Demonstrates ability to work in a team
• Clear and well spoken/written English
• Problem solving skills to resolve queries
• Computer skills - basic data entry

Knowledge
Essential

• GCSE Maths grade A-C
• GCSE English grade A-C
• GCSE Science grade A-C

Desirable

• CQF/NVQ Pharmacy Services

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Demonstrates communication skills

Desirable

• Previous hospital experience

Skills
Essential

• Demonstrates ability to work in a team
• Clear and well spoken/written English
• Problem solving skills to resolve queries
• Computer skills - basic data entry

Knowledge
Essential

• GCSE Maths grade A-C
• GCSE English grade A-C
• GCSE Science grade A-C

Desirable

• CQF/NVQ Pharmacy Services