Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

Full-Time 22430 - 27414 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support pharmacy operations and ensure efficient distribution of medications.
  • Company: Join the NHS at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, a community-focused organisation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, professional development, and staff perks like gym discounts.
  • Other info: Flexible working options available to fit your lifestyle.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare while gaining valuable experience in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English; pharmacy qualification is a plus but not essential.

The predicted salary is between 22430 - 27414 £ per year.

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work. With over 14,000 members of staff you can expect huge variety and new opportunities every day! Our staff go above and beyond and take pride in caring for our patients.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is fully committed to promoting inclusion, equality, diversity and human rights in employment and delivery of its services. The Trust is committed to providing an environment where all employees, patients, carers and visitors experience equality of opportunity by means of understanding and appreciating the value of diversity.

As a Trust we promote an inclusive environment and welcome applications from a diverse pool of talent and backgrounds. All individuals are valued and given every opportunity to succeed based on merit. The Trust actively encourages applications from members of our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. These groups are under-represented in our organisation, and it’s important to us that our workforce reflects the diversity of our communities as much as possible.

Armed Forces and Disability Confident guaranteed interview scheme: To further support the pledges in the Armed Forces Covenant and to make a positive contribution to support ex-armed forces personnel (veterans) make the transition to civilian life, the Trust has introduced a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for veterans who meet the essential criteria set out in the person specification, to help them overcome barriers to find civilian employment. The scheme will operate for all external recruitment.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer and committed to both employing and retaining people with disabilities. This commitment is to guarantee an interview for any candidate that has disclosed a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 will be considered upon request.

If you are blind or visually impaired and require application material in an alternative format - such as Braille, large print, audio or accessible electronic formats or you require support/adjustments with your application please contact the recruitment team on 01332 788466.

The Trust is proud to be a signatory of the Care Leavers Covenant and is committed to supporting care-experienced people into employment. Applicants who identify as a care leaver and who meet the essential criteria for the role, as detailed in the person specification, will be guaranteed an interview. If you wish to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this within your application.

Join us and help make a real difference to our Trust.

Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for:

The post holder will be responsible for the general day to day operational functions of the Pharmacy Store, including a high quality and efficient pharmacy distribution and goods-in service. The pharmacy logistics team are welcoming and friendly. We are a diverse team and offer the hand of friendship to all new starters. A pharmacy NVQ Level 2 qualification would be advantageous to the post, however not essential as training and education can be provided.

Main duties of the job:

  • Participate in the topping up service towards departments at the Royal Derby Hospital and Florence Nightingale Community Hospital
  • Participate in the ad-hoc supply of stock items to wards and departments
  • Participate in the supply and distribution of pharmaceuticals to wards and departments
  • Participate in the receipt of all goods delivered to Pharmacy stores, involving checking goods received against delivery documents, recording batch numbers and expiry dates, and recording details on the pharmacy stock control system
  • Ensuring products are stored in the correct areas
  • Perform waste management & disposal of return medicines, which may include hazardous items
  • Participate in customer focussed service, which will include dealing with Trust staff at the hatch or receipt area

Working for our organisation: As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together. Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

  • Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
  • On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
  • Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

  • We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
  • We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England – an average of 2077 per week.
  • An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day – 3rd largest in the country.
  • Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
  • Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
  • We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
  • We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
  • UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities: Please see attached Job description and Person Specification.

UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AI‑generated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.

Important visa information: Due to UK Home Office immigration rule changes effective from 22 July 2025, applicants sponsored under Occupation Code 6131 (Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants) may not be eligible to bring dependants under the Skilled Worker route if their Certificate of Sponsorship is issued on or after this date. Applicants are responsible for understanding how these rules apply to their individual circumstances. The Trust cannot provide immigration advice.

Further information is available on the Skilled Worker visa: Your partner and children - GOV.UK.

Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert.

Person specification:

Education, Training and Qualifications:

  • GCSE Grade 3 or equivalent in Maths and English, or proven equivalent level
  • GPhC approved Level 2 Qualification in Pharmacy Services or willingness to work towards.

Experience & Knowledge:

  • Proven experience of working in a customer facing role, ideally within an NHS setting
  • Knowledge of pharmacy services & stock control systems
  • Previous experience of working in a hospital pharmacy stores department

Skills and Ability:

  • Prioritises workload
  • Demonstrates a problem‑solving approach, i.e. discrepancies in stock levels

Values and Behaviours:

  • Has a positive approach and is able to involve and motivate others
  • Able to demonstrate that they are approachable and a team player
  • Able to build a rapport with people

Our Trust aims to provide the highest quality care to patients within Derbyshire and South East Staffordshire and we want the very best people to work with us.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If we receive a high number of applications for this position we reserve the right to withdraw the post before the closing date, therefore it is advisable that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

At UHDB, we offer different ways to work flexibly to each and every one of our colleagues, many of whom already work flexibly at all sites of the Trust. For our roles we are open to discussing the possibility of part-time/ reduced hours/ compressed hours/ flexible start and finish times/ fixed/flexible shifts/annualised hours/ term time hours/ hybrid working – working partly in the trust/partly at home. Why don’t you talk to us at interview about the flexibility you would like to explore and what it means to you, and we will discuss what’s possible for the job and team, and the opportunities we might be able to create together.

We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise to work with you to look at all the available options. Most of our posts are subject to a DBS check, however having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from obtaining a position. Please be aware that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check, if it is required for their role.

All correspondence relating to your application will be sent to you via our trac.system account. Please ensure that you regularly check your emails; this includes junk/spam, as your security settings may not recognise the sender.

Anyone from outside of the UK (excluding from the Republic of Ireland) will need permission from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to work in the UK and may also need entry clearance before travelling here. UKVI is responsible for managing migration. To obtain a visa or entry clearance, you will need to meet certain requirements and demonstrate you have the right to work in the UK via the points-based immigration system, the EU settlement scheme, eVisa.

During the course of its employment activities, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust collects, stores and processes personal information about prospective, current and former staff. Our Privacy Notice includes applicants, employees (and former employees), workers (including agency, casual, honorary and contracted staff), volunteers, trainees and those carrying out work experience – please refer to our Privacy Notice available on our Trust website.

UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AI‑generated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.

Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer employer: Transformation Unit

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional development. With opportunities for growth within the NHS framework, staff can engage in meaningful work that directly impacts patient care in a collaborative environment across two dynamic hospital sites. Join us to be part of a transformative healthcare journey that values your expertise and contributions.

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Contact Details:

Transformation Unit Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

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We think you need these skills to ace Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

Communication Skills
Adaptability
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Teamwork
Time Management
Organizational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Transformation Unit!

Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Transformation Unit that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!

Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Transformation Unit!

Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Transformation Unit, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.

How to prepare for a job interview at Transformation Unit

Understand the Science

Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Transformation Unit that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.

Showcase Relevant Experience

If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.

Know Their Products

Take some time to familiarise yourself with Transformation Unit’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.

Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios

In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.