Band 2 Pharmacy Assistant

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Pharmacy Assistant to join the pharmacy team at Watford General Hospital. You will be responsible for supporting the provision of Pharmacy Stores and Distribution services to West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and non-Trust customers. You will support and manage daily ward top-ups, including dealing with ward stock and assisting with the supply chain management of medicines, such as ordering, invoicing, distribution, delivery, and general stock control. You will also support pharmacists in their day-to-day duties and manage related clerical and administrative tasks to ensure the safe and efficient running of the pharmacy service.

Main duties of the job

As a Pharmacy Assistant you will attend and actively participate in departmental or sectional meetings, respond to routine and general enquiries received by phone or in person, and ensure these are directed to the appropriate member of staff when required. You will work effectively within a multi-disciplinary and pharmacy team, maintaining clear and professional communication with colleagues and key stakeholders. You will be responsible for escalating any issues or concerns promptly to the Stores Supervisor, or in their absence the appropriate line manager or Chief Pharmacy Technician. You will also contribute to departmental rotas as required and organise and plan your own workload to meet service demands and priorities.

About us

Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.

Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges

Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave

Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want

Job Roles & Responsibilities

• To contribute to replenishment activities across clinical areas, supporting scheduled replenishment cycles and ensuring automated dispensing equipment is used accurately to maintain availability of items required for patient care.
• To process electronic requests within internal inventory platforms, ensuring timely progression in line with agreed priorities and logistics schedules for both internal services and external partners.
• To receive incoming consignments at designated intake points, checking contents against documentation for correctness, condition, and volume, and placing items into allocated locations using effective rotation methods to maintain usability.
• To support inventory integrity through regular checks and monitoring, including identifying shortfalls, isolating unsuitable items, and contributing to investigative actions where variances are identified, while maintaining a clean, orderly, and secure working environment.
• To assist with environmental monitoring and compliance activities, including daily recording exercises and participation in mapping programmes, ensuring storage conditions consistently meet professional, regulatory, and local standards at all times.
• To take part in service enhancement, training, and development activities, including audit data gathering, completion of mandatory learning, supporting new starters and learners, adhering to procedural guidance, and working flexibly to accommodate evolving service needs such as varied working patterns and operational changes.

Person Specification & Qualifications

• GCSEs in Maths and English (Grade 4+) or equivalent; Science/NVQ Level II desirable.
• Knowledge of stock control, pharmacy systems, and hospital pharmacy procedures.
• Teamwork skills with effective communication to staff, customers, and suppliers.
• IT literate, including MS Word, Excel, and electronic stock systems.
• Understanding of pharmacy regulations, GDP, and safe medicine handling.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

NHS Professionals Limited

Location

Watford General Hospital, 60 Vicarage Road,
Watford, WD18 0HB