Job Description

The post holder undertakes assistant duties in the following areas of pharmaceutical care:

• Dispensary
• Wards

The post holder will be an integral part of the Pharmacy team and will rotate into all areas to support the demands of the service which will include working at both the main hospital sites
The post holder must hold the minimum education requirements outlined by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) for Pharmacy Assistants/support staff.
If the post holder does not hold the specific Dispensing units required, training and assessments will be provided to meet the GPhC requirements. Qualifications will be checked at interview
This post will require a Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS) check
Main duties of the job
Main Tasks
To assist in the provision of a high-quality patient focused medicines optimisation and dispensary service to patients at the Trust
Dispensing - Working in a busy dispensary, following electronic prescription orders, managing controlled drugs & dispensing clinical trials. You will also be part of a team in ensuring accurate maintenance of the emergency room and emergency boxes for the Trust.
At ward level you will work as part of the Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Team and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team in ensuring efficient Medicine reconciliation, patient counselling and discharge of patients. You will assist the team by checking patients own medicines, ensuring the efficient supply and transfer of medicines, and basic patient counselling.
About us
Would you like a new challenge? Would you like to make a real difference to patients' treatment?
We are looking for an enthusiastic Pharmacy Assistants who are committed to providing quality patient care and pharmacy service. You will work across the Trust at both main hospital sites in the Pharmacy Dispensaries, wards and clinical areas.
At ward level you will work as part of the Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Team and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team in ensuring efficient Medicine reconciliation, patient counselling and discharge of patients. You will assist the team by checking patients own medicines, ensuring the efficient supply and transfer of medicines, and basic patient counselling.
Training will be given to support this role including relevant work based Medicine Optimisation modules.
In the dispensaries you will process a range of prescriptions including controlled drugs and clinical trials. You will also be part of a team in ensuring accurate maintenance of the emergency room and emergency boxes for the Trust.
Within both your roles at ward level and in the dispensaries you will be key in supporting and training Pharmacy Assistants, work experience and Pharmacy Assistant Apprentices.
Details
Date posted
29 August 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
24,937 to 26,598 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
372-FSS2866-A
Job locations
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary / Calderdale Royal Hospital
Acre Street, Lindley
Huddersfield
HD3 3EA
Job description
Job responsibilities
Dispensary Duties:
To carry out the validation, dispensing and issue of prescriptions in the Pharmacy of the base hospital

• To assist with the dispensing, recording, maintenance, issue and receipt of Clinical Trials
• To assist with the dispensing, recording, maintenance, issue and receipt of Controlled Drugs
• To supply medicines and pharmaceutical supplies to areas of the Trust and external to the Trust serviced by the Pharmacy dispensary
• To undertake an in-process accuracy check of assembled prescribed Items prior to the final accuracy check
• To work under the supervision of line manager and Band 5 Pharmacy Technician within the dispensary in ensuring quality and efficient workflow and pharmacy provision
• To carry out general duties, including stock and preparation of bottles, sundry items, additional information and labels, packaging, and counting and cleaning equipment,
• To assist with medicine stock control duties including maintenance of stock, issue and receipt of stock.
• To assist with the maintenance of the emergency stock room and emergency box supply and monitoring for the Trust
• To assist with the monitoring of the til to enable the team to process transactions efficiently
• To process Pharmoutcomes to ensure efficient and timely communication with community pharmacies on discharge medication
• To monitor and record safe storage of stock by carrying out environmental temperature checks, expiry date checking, stock checks and assisting in the rotation of stock.
• To assist with the maintenance of records, relating to work and workload stats
• To clean shelving where pharmaceuticals are stored, keeping them in a tidy, organised and fit for purpose condition

Ward Duties:

• To assist the Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy teams on the wards under the direction of the Band 5 Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Technician
• To assist in waste reduction, transfer of medicines, and audit.
• To assist in reduction of missed doses and assist smoother discharge of patients reducing potential delays
• To carry out duties at ward level including patient locker checks, assessment of patients own medicines and assisting in the supply of medicines to patients on the wards.
• To provide person centred Inhaler and basic counselling to patients under the direction of the Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Technician
• To liaise with the dispensary team, Medicine optimisation teams and multidisciplinary team on the timely processing of medications
• To transfer and deliver medications from dispensary to destination including between wards/clinical environments to ensure timely administration of medicines
• To refer to Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Technician or Ward Pharmacist of any discrepancies, counselling needs or issues beyond limits of role
• To supply medicines and pharmaceutical supplies to areas of the Trust serviced by the base dispensary
• To carry out general duties, including preparation of bottles and packaging, cleaning equipment, receipt of orders, expiry date checking, stock checks and stock control of medicines
• To monitor, record and report refrigerator temperatures and stock environments to ensure the safe and secure storage of medicines
• To assist in Audits

Job description
Job responsibilities
Dispensary Duties:
To carry out the validation, dispensing and issue of prescriptions in the Pharmacy of the base hospital

• To assist with the dispensing, recording, maintenance, issue and receipt of Clinical Trials
• To assist with the dispensing, recording, maintenance, issue and receipt of Controlled Drugs
• To supply medicines and pharmaceutical supplies to areas of the Trust and external to the Trust serviced by the Pharmacy dispensary
• To undertake an in-process accuracy check of assembled prescribed Items prior to the final accuracy check
• To work under the supervision of line manager and Band 5 Pharmacy Technician within the dispensary in ensuring quality and efficient workflow and pharmacy provision
• To carry out general duties, including stock and preparation of bottles, sundry items, additional information and labels, packaging, and counting and cleaning equipment,
• To assist with medicine stock control duties including maintenance of stock, issue and receipt of stock.
• To assist with the maintenance of the emergency stock room and emergency box supply and monitoring for the Trust
• To assist with the monitoring of the til to enable the team to process transactions efficiently
• To process Pharmoutcomes to ensure efficient and timely communication with community pharmacies on discharge medication
• To monitor and record safe storage of stock by carrying out environmental temperature checks, expiry date checking, stock checks and assisting in the rotation of stock.
• To assist with the maintenance of records, relating to work and workload stats
• To clean shelving where pharmaceuticals are stored, keeping them in a tidy, organised and fit for purpose condition

Ward Duties:

• To assist the Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy teams on the wards under the direction of the Band 5 Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Technician
• To assist in waste reduction, transfer of medicines, and audit.
• To assist in reduction of missed doses and assist smoother discharge of patients reducing potential delays
• To carry out duties at ward level including patient locker checks, assessment of patients own medicines and assisting in the supply of medicines to patients on the wards.
• To provide person centred Inhaler and basic counselling to patients under the direction of the Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Technician
• To liaise with the dispensary team, Medicine optimisation teams and multidisciplinary team on the timely processing of medications
• To transfer and deliver medications from dispensary to destination including between wards/clinical environments to ensure timely administration of medicines
• To refer to Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Technician or Ward Pharmacist of any discrepancies, counselling needs or issues beyond limits of role
• To supply medicines and pharmaceutical supplies to areas of the Trust serviced by the base dispensary
• To carry out general duties, including preparation of bottles and packaging, cleaning equipment, receipt of orders, expiry date checking, stock checks and stock control of medicines
• To monitor, record and report refrigerator temperatures and stock environments to ensure the safe and secure storage of medicines
• To assist in Audits

Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING
Essential

• English and Math's GCSE grades 9-2 (A*-E) or equivalent
• NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills and BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science (QCF) or equivalent Pharmacy Assistant course approved by the GPhC

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
Essential

• Customer service techniques
• Prior work experience as a pharmacy assistant
• Computer literate
• Calm and professional manner under pressure
• Calm and professional manner under pressure
• Able to pay meticulous attention to detail
• Able to understand and follow written procedures

Desirable

• Prior work experience in a dispensary
• Prior work experience on a ward or clinical environment
• To have the desire to work in a service that contributes to patient care
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Organised, tidy and methodical
• Have an awareness of all Trust policies and procedures

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)
Essential

• Oral and written communication skills
• Team worker

Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING
Essential

• English and Math's GCSE grades 9-2 (A*-E) or equivalent
• NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills and BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science (QCF) or equivalent Pharmacy Assistant course approved by the GPhC

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
Essential

• Customer service techniques
• Prior work experience as a pharmacy assistant
• Computer literate
• Calm and professional manner under pressure
• Calm and professional manner under pressure
• Able to pay meticulous attention to detail
• Able to understand and follow written procedures

Desirable

• Prior work experience in a dispensary
• Prior work experience on a ward or clinical environment
• To have the desire to work in a service that contributes to patient care
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Organised, tidy and methodical
• Have an awareness of all Trust policies and procedures

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)
Essential

• Oral and written communication skills
• Team worker

Skills Required