Rotational Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) in Orpington

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£2.1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in the London Borough of Bromley.

We encourage all our staff to have a healthy work/life balance. In doing so, you can apply for flexible working from the beginning of your employment. We offer a range of options which are designed to suit different circumstances and priorities in line with service requirements.

The post holder will assist the dispensary team in the delivery of the day to day activities in the dispensary. They will carry out duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. The post holder is primarily responsible for dispensing discharge and inpatient medication, as well as outpatient medication if based at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH); and other "housekeeping" duties.

Aseptics

The post holder will assist in the preparation and dispensing of aseptically produced products in isolators. The post holder will assist with the daily monitoring and cleaning of isolators and the monitoring of the clean room. The post holder will assist with the ordering of drugs and components.

The post includes general duties within the Pharmacy distribution service including receiving goods, carrying out ward top ups, and issuing stock to wards, carried out under the supervision of the Pharmacy Distribution Services Manager.

Main duties of the job

• To ensure the safe, effective and economical use of drugs for all patients in the Trust.
• To be able to follow departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• To be able to dispense inpatient, outpatient and discharge medication accurately.
• To contribute to wider policies that has an impact within the pharmacy department and across the Trust.

Aseptics

• To tidy, clean and disinfect the Aseptic Services environment and equipment according to local SOPs. This may involve an early start.
• To assist with the environmental monitoring in Aseptic services.
• To produce and keep such records as defined by local SOP, and as required by the Associate Director and Chief Technician.
• To comply with departmental Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements of dress and hygiene relating to working in aseptic services.
• Follows laid down procedures for the issuing of medicines to wards and departments.
• Follow procedures for the Investigation/Retrieval of products from the Pharmacy Automated System(s) if errors occur (on applicable sites only).
• To accept and sign receipt for deliveries of pharmaceutical products from suppliers, checking that delivery is for the pharmacy department.
• To accurately use the computer system to receive goods into the pharmacy store.

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. Transforming Healthcare is the vision at the heart of the King’s Strategy - 2026 to 2031. Together, we are pursuing six strategic ambitions: delivering high-quality patient care; being a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long‑term financial sustainability. Achieving these ambitions will require all of us to work as one Team King’s, united by a shared commitment to our values of being caring, collaborative, inclusive and innovative. By living these values every day, we will transform healthcare for our patients, our communities and each other.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for supporting the safe, efficient, and effective delivery of pharmacy services across Dispensary, Aseptic Services, Stores and Distribution functions. The role requires adherence to Trust policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), health and safety regulations, and pharmacy professional standards to ensure high-quality patient care and medicines management.

Dispensary

The post holder will contribute to the safe, accurate, and cost-effective supply of medicines for patients throughout the Trust. Responsibilities include dispensing inpatient, outpatient, discharge, and controlled drug prescriptions accurately and efficiently in accordance with departmental SOPs and legal requirements. They will use pharmacy information systems competently, ensuring accurate entry, recording, storage, and archiving of prescription and patient data in line with local and regional governance requirements.

The role requires participation in a seven-day service model, including weekends, late shifts, and bank holidays. The post holder must be able to prioritise workloads effectively, use initiative when managing competing demands, and refer complex or non-routine enquiries to senior staff when appropriate.

Patient-facing responsibilities include delivering a professional and customer-focused service, counselling patients on the safe and effective use of their medications where appropriate, and maintaining high standards of communication with patients, carers, healthcare professionals, and members of the public both in person and over the telephone.

The post holder will support the ongoing development and improvement of dispensary services by contributing to departmental initiatives, service developments, and policies that impact the pharmacy department and wider Trust operations. Additional responsibilities include undertaking housekeeping duties, maintaining a safe and organised working environment, and operating systems such as Omnicell for controlled drug dispensing.

Aseptics

Within Aseptic Services, the post holder will assist in the preparation and supply of aseptically prepared products, including Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), while strictly adhering to GMP standards, aseptic techniques, and departmental procedures.

Responsibilities include cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining aseptic environments, equipment, and isolators according to SOPs, as well as participating in environmental monitoring programmes. The post holder will prepare labels and documentation using pharmacy computer systems, maintain accurate records, and ensure all documentation meets regulatory and quality assurance requirements.

The role involves carrying out transfer disinfection procedures for items entering aseptic units, working for extended periods at isolators, and supporting the maintenance, monitoring, and cleaning of aseptic equipment. Following appropriate training and competency assessment, the post holder may undertake validation activities, monitor aseptic practices, and check the work of colleagues to ensure compliance with required standards.

The post holder is expected to follow hygiene, dress, health and safety, and quality assurance requirements at all times. They will assist senior staff with maintaining validated aseptic processes and contribute to the continuous safe operation of the service.

The post holder will support the effective receipt, storage, stock control, assembly, issue, and distribution of medicines and pharmaceutical products across the Trust. This includes receiving deliveries from suppliers, verifying quantities, quality, pricing, shelf life, and documentation, and accurately recording stock movements using pharmacy computer systems.

Responsibilities include unpacking and storing goods appropriately, processing pharmaceutical returns, managing stock replenishment, carrying out stock checks, monitoring expiry dates, and reporting discrepancies, damaged items, or shortages. The post holder will support pharmaceutical inventory management by ensuring medicines are stored safely and efficiently and that stock levels are maintained according to service requirements.

The role requires visiting allocated wards and departments to replenish stock to agreed levels, checking storage conditions and expiry dates, and providing a reliable top-up service. The post holder will assemble and distribute stock orders, medicines, IV fluids, and supplies to internal and external departments and other Trust sites using both manual and automated systems.

Additional duties include supporting the retrieval and investigation of stock discrepancies, managing patient medication returns, supplying "to-follow" medications, completing all relevant documentation accurately, and responding professionally to telephone and face-to-face enquiries. The post holder will also monitor environmental storage conditions and elevate concerns when necessary.

A key aspect of the role is supporting patient-centred care by ensuring medicines are supplied safely, accurately, and promptly. The post holder will maintain a professional, courteous, and responsive approach when interacting with patients, carers, nursing staff, medical teams, and colleagues.

Within dispensary and aseptic services, the post holder will provide information and assistance relating to medication supply and use, referring enquiries to an appropriate clinician or senior member of staff when required. They will also support nursing and ward staff with stock-related queries and medication supply issues, contributing to the smooth delivery of patient services.

Financial and Resource Management

The post holder will contribute to the efficient management of pharmaceutical resources and support cost‑effective medicines use across the Trust. Responsibilities include collecting prescription charges in line with Trust financial procedures, monitoring stock usage, assisting with stock control processes, and ensuring medicines are recycled, returned, or disposed of safely and appropriately.

They will support stock rotation processes, monitor expiry dates, maintain accurate inventory records, and contribute to the efficient operation of automated and manual stock control systems. Accurate record keeping and compliance with financial and operational procedures are essential to maintaining accountability and minimising waste.

Staff Management and Training

The post holder will assist in the induction, supervision, and training of new staff members, students, and trainees. This includes demonstrating duties, providing guidance on procedures and systems, supporting competency development, and acting as a role model within the department.

Within aseptic services, the post holder will support senior pharmacy technicians in training staff on GMP requirements and aseptic procedures. They will also participate in their own professional development by attending training courses, completing competency assessments, and developing skills relevant to their role.

Research and Development

The post holder will participate in pharmacy audits, service evaluations, research projects, and quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient services and operational effectiveness. Responsibilities may include supporting the dispensing and preparation of clinical trial medications, contributing to data collection and audit activities, and assisting with the implementation of service improvements.

Through adherence to best practice, continuous learning, and active involvement in governance and quality activities, the post holder will contribute to the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality pharmacy services that support patient care and organisational objectives.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services, or able to undertake Apprenticeship in Pharmacy Services (with workplace support)
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English (minimum grade C)

Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of procedures for pharmacy services.
• Knowledge of pharmacy computer systems.
• Experience of dispensing medication.

Skills and Competencies

• Be able to provide, receive and relay factual information to inform colleagues, patients, and other members of staff about important information.
• Be able to communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats with staff and patients.
• Be able to communicate with patients where there may be barriers to understanding.
• Be able to make judgments involving straightforward facts or situations, some requiring analysis.
• Be able to plan own tasks in order to meet service requirements.
• Be able to work in a busy demand-led service with occasional exposure to verbal aggression from patients, be able to work on the ward, and in a busy Stores environment.
• Able to participate in a 7 day operational model including working weekends and late shifts.