Pharmacy Dispenser Apprentice – Start Your Healthcare Career in Southampton

UHS Pharmacy LTD is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us as a Pharmacy Dispenser. Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will support the delivery of a safe, effective, and high-quality outpatient pharmacy service. This includes the accurate dispensing and labelling of medicines from hospital outpatient prescriptions, effective stock control, and providing support to reception and medicines counter services.
• The role also involves offering appropriate advice and information to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals.
• The post holder will contribute to the efficient day-to-day operation of the pharmacy and ensure that all services are delivered in line with relevant legislation, UHS Pharmacy Limited policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and recognised standards of good practice.

Working for our organisation

UPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, providing pharmacy services for hospital staff, outpatients, and visitors. Conveniently located in the main foyer of the hospital, the pharmacy offers a wide range of over-the-counter medicines and healthcare products.

We are committed to being an employer of choice where everyone matters. The pharmacy operates:

• Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 18:00
• Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00
• Sunday: 10:00

Southampton offers an excellent quality of life, located on the south coast with an international airport and direct train links to London. The area boasts the stunning New Forest National Park, beautiful beaches along the Jurassic Coast, and living costs around 20% lower than in London. With 14 Ofsted-rated “Outstanding” schools, it’s a great place to live and work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Primary Hours are for Sunday 10:00 until 16:00, although potential for additional hours may be available.
• Assist the Superintendent Pharmacist and Pharmacy Manager in the provision of a high-quality pharmacy service, working in accordance with current legislation, UHS Pharmacy Limited policies, and recognised professional standards.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organised working environment, ensuring appropriate supplies of sundry items are available and that all housekeeping and local checks are completed in line with SOPs.
• Produce computer-generated labels and accurately dispense medication against inpatient and outpatient prescriptions, completing all relevant documentation for controlled drugs, named patient supplies, clinical trials, and other specialist items.
• Receive prescriptions from hospital staff and patients, ensuring receipt is recorded in accordance with procedures and that all related financial transactions are conducted correctly, including prescription charge collection, exemption checking, and completion of documentation.
• Work on the front counter as required, providing excellent customer service and appropriate advice to patients and other visitors to the pharmacy, referring to a pharmacist when necessary.
• Maintain effective stock control, including ordering stock, receipting deliveries, handling associated paperwork, rotating stock, checking expiry dates, shelving stock appropriately, and ensuring stock security. To replenish the dispensing robot as required to maintain effective operation.
• Achieve and maintain in-house competencies in all relevant areas of practice, including dispensing, labelling, and handling of controlled drugs.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with pharmacy colleagues, hospital staff, and patients to support a seamless medicines management process.
• Use all relevant pharmacy systems and technology appropriately following training.
• Undertake any other duties as requested by the Superintendent Pharmacist or Pharmacy Manager/Pharmacist that support the safe and effective running of the pharmacy.

Person specification

• Numerate and literate 3 GCSE’s or equivalent grades A* to C including English, Maths and Science (if qualifications gained outside the UK evidence of equivalent standards must be demonstrated at applicants own expense).
• Proven track record of providing excellent customer service.
• Evidence of being able to cope with change.
• Use of information technology in the workplace or within education or voluntary sector.
• Use of telephone to give and receive messages in the workplace or within education or voluntary sector.
• The job will involve weekend working on a rotation and some late duties during the week.
• Willing and able to undertake continuing professional development.
• Previous Pharmacy experience.
• Experience in stock control i.e. receiving, maintaining and/or issuing stock.
• Use of till and/or handling money in a work environment.

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.